Carros de Foc

Submitted by maria on Thu, 15/09/2016 - 09:42

The crossing known as Carros de Foc is located in the Aigües Tortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park.

 

Josep M. Blanc refuge

Josep M. Blanc refuge

 

 

Carros de Foc is a circular route linking nine mountain refuges located in the Aigües Tortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park.

 

Sant Maurici lake

Sant Maurici lake

 

 

To do the basic route (which is the one we did) of Carros de Foc you will need between five and site days, we did it in five.  However, there are some top-notch hikers who manage to complete the route in less than 24 hours!

You can start at the refuge of your choice and in the direction you prefer, although we advise you to start in the counterclockwise direction, as the Contraix pass of almost 3,000 metres between the refuge of Ventosa i Calvell and Estany Llong is more accessible.

 

Map

Map

 

 

Access to the park is very well organised, from first thing in the morning there are vans that take you from Espot to the Sant Maurici lake, which you can get from the Park House.


Espot is a beautiful mountain village in the province of Lerida. Its Romanesque bridge, medieval tower and beautiful traditional Pyrenean architecture stand out. There are several accommodation options, we recommend Casa Rural Colom, double room included 55€.

 

Espot

Espot

 

Espot

Espot

 

 

Bars, restaurants, supermarket... Espot has all the services.


Equipment:

Depending on the time of year you will need different material, however even if you go in summer it is essential to bring warm clothes and gtx, keep in mind that it is high mountain and the weather is constantly changing.

Sleeping bag (ask beforehand at the refuges if there are blankets available, but a sleeping bag is enough to spend the night), headlamp, water, sun cream, boots, hygiene products, towel, change of clothes, GPS system and map (although it is very well signposted, it never hurts, we use Oruxmaps and Wikiloc), batteries for recharging mobile phones, earplugs and cash.

 

Old refuge

Old refuge

 

 

Rest shoes are available in all the refuges. Book well in advance, the refuges have limited capacity.

You have the option to book full board (for lunch you get a picnic) but we only book bed and breakfast, for lunch we bring dried fruit, energy bars and gel packs.

 

Aigüestortes and Sant Maurici lake National Park

Aigüestortes and Sant Maurici lake National Park

 

 

The food in the refuges is delicious and I don't know if they agree but we don't repeat the same dinner in any of the refuges. The average price of half board in the refuges is between 43 and 45€/pax/day. If you are a member of the Catalan Mountain Federation you get a bigger discount than with the national federation.

If you don't feel strong enough to continue, there are several refuges that have an exit by road, or you can also take the road that divides the Park in two, between the Estany Llong and Ernest Mallafré refuges.

Some of them have hot water showers, such as Josep M. Blanc and Estany Llong. In all of them you can refill your water for free.

 

Aigüestortes and Sant Maurici lake National Park

Aigüestortes and Sant Maurici lake National Park

 

 

Itinerary:

Day 1: Sant Maurici lake - Refuge d’Amitges - Refuge Saboredo -  Refuge Colomers

Day 2: Refuge Colomers - Refuge Restanca - Refuge Ventosa i Calvell

Day 3: Refuge Ventosa i Calvell - Refuge Estany Llong

Day 4: Refuge Estany Llong - Refuge Colomina - Refuge Josep María Blanc

Day 5: Refuge Josep María Blanc - Refuge Ernest Mallafré - Sant Maurici lake

 

Day 1: Sant Maurici lake - Refuge d’Amitges - Refuge Saboredo -  Refuge Colomers (6-8 horas)

 

From the spectacular Sant Maurici lake we start our route along a wide road surrounded by Pyrenean forest to the Amitges refuge where we make our first stop and contemplate the Gran d'Amitges, dels Barbs and Munyidera lakes and the Agulles d'Amitges.

 

Ratera lake

Ratera lake

 

 


Access or escape route to Amitges refuge from/to Estany de Sant Maurici almost 2 hours. There is the option of using the taxi service (973 624 105) to go up to Sant Maurici, Ratera lake, or to the refuge itself.


 

RAmitges refuge

Amitges refuge

 

 

We continue on to Lake Gran and the Ratera pass, with impressive views, from where we can see our next objective, the Saboredo refuge. It is small and has two very nice donkeys that immediately ask us for food.  We have a drink, eat and chat with the guard.

 

Amitges lake

Amitges lake

 

 


Access or escape route to/from Saboredo refuge from/to parking visit the website. Hot water shower. 28 places.


 

Going to Saboredo

Going to Saboredo

 

Saboredo refuge

Saboredo refuge

 

 

We continue to Baish lake, from here we ascend by the Còth deth Tuc Gran de Sendrosa, we descend in the direction of the tunnel until we reach Clòto de Baish lake. We pass by the Major lake and after a few small ascents and descents we see the Colomers dam next to the Colomers refuge.

 

Views from Còth deth Tuc Gran de Sendrosa

Views from Còth deth Tuc Gran de Sendrosa

 

Colomers refuge

Colomers refuge

 

 

It starts to rain but it soon stops. Located in the Colomers cirque and surrounded by beautiful meadows, the refuge is a marvel for the senses.

 


Access or Escape route Colomers refuge from/to Banhs de Tredòs car park 2 hours. 60 places.


 

Colomers refuge

Colomers refuge

 

 

We have a beer and dinner at 7 pm. At the table we meet an Israeli couple who are also making the crossing, we make good friends and chat until bedtime. A perfect day.

 

 

Day 2: Refuge Colomers - Refuge Restanca - Refuge Ventosa i Calvell (8-8,5 horas)

 

After a generous breakfast we start our day walking first to the Còth de Ribereta.

 

Colomers refuge

Colomers refuge

 

Gran Tuc Colomers

Gran Tuc Colomers

 

 

We continue to Port de Caldes with the Tuc de Ribereta on our right.


We descend to reach the Des Monges lake to go to the Coll de la Crestada that will take us to the Restanca refuge, the only one located in Aragon on the entire route.

 

Les Mangades lake

Les Mangades lake

 

To Restanca

To Restanca

 

Restanca lake

Restanca lake

 

 

Spectacular views of the valley.

 


Access or escape route Restanca hut from/to Pont de Resec car park 2 hours. Hot water shower. 80 places.


 

To get to Restanca we have to go down a considerable slope that we will have to climb again to continue to the Ventosa i Calvell refuge located next to the Estany Negre.

 

Lac deth Cap deth Pòrt lake

Lac deth Cap deth Pòrt lake

 

 

We cross again through ponds and meadows until we reach Ventosa. It is beautiful.

 

Travessani lake

Travessani lake

 

Negre lake

Negre lake

 

 

The Ventosa refuge is very lively, almost full. It has board games. There is a fountain from which you can enjoy the breathtaking views and wash your feet or refill your hydrator.

 

Ventosa i Calvell refuge

Ventosa i Calvell refuge

 

 

We had dinner at 7pm like yesterday, delicious.


Access or Escape route to Ventosa i Calvell refuge from/to Cavallers reservoir 2 hours. Hot water shower. 69 places.


 

Cooling the feet

Cooling the feet

 

 

Day 3: Refuge Ventosa i Calvell - Refuge Estany Llong (4-6 horas)

 

An incredible breakfast. We replenish our strength because today is going to be one of the hardest days. Blau de Colieto lake offers us crystal clear waters.

 

Blau de Colieto lake

Blau de Colieto lake

 

 

To get to the Contraix pass you have to climb up some huge granite blocks that take a long time to overcome.

 

Granite blocks

Granite blocks

 

Contraix pass

Contraix pass

 

 

The last stretch (up to 45º of incline) to the pass is on dirt and is very steep and slippery, so be careful in this area.

 

Granite blocks

Granite blocks

 

Views from Contraix pass

Views from Contraix pass

 

 

Once on the pass, the landscape leaves you speechless, no matter which way you look. Breathtaking views of the Contraix Lake.

 

Contraix lake

Contraix lake

 

Descend Contraix pass

Descend Contraix pass

 

 

We continue crossing the smaller blocks that surround the lake.  It is a very cloudy day and the sun is not with us. Near the refuge the vegetation begins again, the well-known meadows of Aiguadassi.

 

Meadows

Meadows

 

 

We arrive at the Estany Llong refuge, surrounded by forest, and take a well-deserved shower.

Our Israeli friends tell us that they have no reservation and as the refuge is full they have to walk another three hours to get to the Ernest Mallafré refuge, which is the nearest one with room. They cross the Park and have to walk another eight kilometres! Remember to book. It is not possible to bivouac or camp in the Park. The refuges are communicated by radio to ensure the arrival of guests.

 

Estany Llong refuge

Estany Llong refuge

 

 

During dinner we meet Adrián, a mountain guide who works in Andorra and is also enjoying the trip.

 


Access or escape route to Estany Llong refuge from/to Palanca de la Molina car park 3 hours. Hot water shower. 47 places. There is an unguarded refuge next door but they only open it when the guarded one is closed, it is called la Centraleta and has a capacity for 10 people.


 

Estany Llong refuge

Estany Llong refuge

 

 

Day 4: Refuge Estany Llong - Refuge Colomina - Refuge Josep María Blanc (10 horas)

 

We are the first to leave the refuge, today is another tough stage due to the distance and the weather is not good, cold and foggy.

We start in the direction of Dellui through a stretch of forest to the Dellui lake.

 

Starting route

Starting route

 

Dellui lake

Dellui lake

 

 

Five hours later, crossing several lakes (Cubieso and Tort), the landscape changes and becomes much more rugged and cobbled.

 

Cubieso lake

Cubieso lake

 

Cubieso lake

Cubieso lake

 

Tort lake

Tort lake

 

 

We arrive at the Colomina refuge, next to the Colomina lagoon, where we stop for lunch.

 

Colomina refuge

Colomina refuge

 

 


Access or escape route to Colomina refuge from/to cable car from Sallente reservoir to Estany gento lake (50 minutes to the refuge), vehicle to Cabdella tower and Sallent reservoir or on foot from Sallent 2.5 hours. 50 places. Payment by credit card.


 

It is quite cold, we eat quickly and climb the next pass, Pas de l'Ós. Beautiful, it looks like we have reached a volcanic crater.

We descend to the Saburó lagoon until we reach the Monestero pass.

 

Saburó lagoon

Saburó lagoon

 

 

Two hours later we start to see the sun and our objective is the Josep M. Blanc refuge, located in one of the most beautiful enclaves of the entire route next to the Negre de Peguera lake.

 

Negre de Peguera lake

Negre de Peguera lake

 

Negre de Peguera lake

Negre de Peguera lake

 

 

Once there, we see that our Israeli friends and Adrián have already arrived, we have a beer, a hot shower and enjoy dinner with this pleasant company. Today lentils with mushrooms among other delicacies.

 

Negre de Peguera lake

Negre de Peguera lake

 

 


Access or escape route to Josep María Blanc refuge from/to El Prat de Pierró car park 3.15 hours.  From Espot 4.5 hours or taxi service 4X4. Hot water shower. 60 places. Payment by credit card.


 

Josep M. Blanc refuge

Josep M. Blanc refuge

 

 

Day 5: Refuge Josep María Blanc - Refuge Ernest Mallafré - Sant Maurici lake (6 - 7 horas)

 

After an impressive breakfast we say goodbye to this valley that has enchanted us.

 

Negre de Peguera lake

Negre de Peguera lake

 

 

At the beginning it is a bit difficult to follow the signs to find the right path, we have to cross a river and depending on the time of year the flow can be very high. Thanks to the help of a group of policemen who are also doing the crossing, we manage to cross it without any problems.

 

Josep M. Blanc refuge

Josep M. Blanc refuge

 

 

From here we climb to the pass of Monestero with spectacular views on both sides. The weather today is going to be hot.

 

Lagoons

Lagoons

 

Monestero pass

Monestero pass

 

 

We descend through the Monestero valley with a beautiful forest. After a few kilometres we arrive at the Ernest Mallafré refuge located under the Encantats, which is beautiful.

 

Monestero pass

Monestero pass

 

Monestero valley

Monestero valley

 

 

Here we say goodbye to the policemen, they started in the refuge of Ventosa i Calvell and they still have a couple of days of walking left.

 

Encantats

Encantats

 

 

After lunch we reached our final destination, the Sant Maurici lake, where we enjoyed a well-deserved rest.

 

Ernest Mallafré refuge

Ernest Mallafré refuge

 

 

Here you can take a taxi that will take you back to Espot. Wonderful.

 

Sant Maurici lake

Sant Maurici lake

 

 


Type of route: circular.

Distance: 60 kilometres.

Difference in altitude: 9,200 metres of accumulated difference in altitude.

Average altitude: 2,400 metres

Highest point: Contraix pass at 2,745 metres.

Tips: comfortable shoes, sun cream, water.

Signposting: good.

Difficulty: moderate/high.

Track on wikiloc.


 


Whoever makes use and follows all or part of this track and its additional information, assumes full responsibility for the risks inherent in the practice of the activity, as this information is only indicative.