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6-Day Carros de Foc Trek From Hut to Hut

Name: 6-Day Carros de Foc Trek From Hut to Hut
Brand: Bookatrekking
Price: 645.00 EUR
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.4 (1611 reviews)

Duration: 6 days

Trails: T3 trails

Distance: 10 - 15 km per day

Ascent per day: 500 - 1000 m ascent per day

Overview
Itinerary
What's Included
FAQ
Reviews

> Enjoy the Catalonian Pyrenees and walk from hut to hut
> Spend your nights in cozy mountain huts
> Cover over 65 kilometres and over 3,500 altitude metres

There are a lot of opportunities for hiking in the Spanish Pyrenees, but does it get any better than the Carros de Foc? To be fair, it's also one of the best-known multi-day hut-to-hut hikes in the area. Rather obvious, because with 65 kilometers, over 3,500 meters of elevation gain, and 9 welcoming huts, an epic adventure awaits you on the Carros de Foc. Hiking in, quite a mouthful, Parc Nacional d'Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici doesn't get any better than this. Are you ready to discover the wild and adventurous side of Catalonia?

Carros de Foc is Catalan for Chariots of Fire and although no one knows why the trek carries this curious name, we dig it. The route was created in 1987 when the caretakers of the refuges in Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici Park decided to visit each other's huts, resulting in a beautiful circular hike, connecting all the mountain huts, "Refugi" in Catalan, in the area.

During this 6-day adventure, where you hike from hut to hut, you will start and end in Espot. You walk high into the mountains, encountering many natural highlights along the way. You will stay overnight in cozy mountain huts, where you will meet other hikers and enjoy breakfast, dinner, and a picnic lunch. We have selected multiple mountain huts to stay overnight, based on the length of the daily stage. During your daily walks, you will pass by some of the other huts.

Itinerary

Day

Espot - Refugi d'Amitges

Duration: 04:20 h

Distance: 11.8 km

Ascent: 1040 m

This first section climbs from Espot into the wild core of Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park. After leaving the village, the route follows the Riu Escrita through shady forest and open meadows before reaching the first high lakes. Waterfalls, granite towers and hanging valleys appear one after another, while distant peaks form an impressive skyline. The day ends at a beautifully located mountain refuge above a cluster of sparkling tarns.

From Espot the trail climbs gently on tracks toward les Carrelas, soon entering pine forest above the valley. It continues through Prat de Pierro and the pastures of Pleta de Xaulet, where clearings offer first views of Els Encantats. The gradient steepens along the Pujada de Suiespe, following the Riu Escrita to the shore of Estany de Sant Maurici. A balcony path then rises beside the Ratera waterfall, passing Estany de Ratera and Estany de la Bassa on the way to the upper cirque.

In the final stretch the path winds among polished slabs and small tarns as the valley broadens into a high basin. A last short ascent leads to the stone refuge of Amitges, perched on a rocky knoll above Estany d’Amitges. From the terrace you can enjoy wide views toward Els Encantats and neighbouring peaks while the surrounding lakes reflect the evening light, before settling into the cosy common room and shared dormitories.

Refugi d'Amitges

Info

Day

Refugi d'Amitges - Refugi Colomèrs

Duration: 04:45 h

Distance: 10.7 km

Ascent: 520 m

Descent: 740 m

The day begins with a trip along the lake of dels Barbs, uphill to the beautiful Port de Ratera. Here you can enjoy stunning views of the mountains. You then descend slightly, passing the Saboredo refuge on the way. Enjoy a drink or lunch here and then head uphill again to Coll de Sendrosa, where even more beautiful views await you. From here, the trail descends to Refugi Colomèrs, located next to Lake Colomèrs.

Refugi Colomèrs

Info

Day

Refugi Colomers - Refugi Ventosa i Cavell

Duration: 03:40 h

Distance: 7.89 km

Ascent: 510 m

Descent: 450 m

Today is a shorter hike, but it will still take you a few hours to cover the distance. Don't forget to enjoy the views today. The walk starts with a climb towards the highest point of the day near Port de Riberata, where you can enjoy panoramic views over mountain peaks, lakes and rocky terrains. Walking on, you'll pass multiple lakes, great spots to take a short break. Next, Refugi Ventosa i Cavell will come into view. A beautiful place to spend the night.

Refugi Ventosa i Calvell

Info

Day

Refugi Ventosa i Cavell - Refugi de l'Estany Llong

Duration: 04:55 h

Distance: 8.8 km

Ascent: 650 m

Descent: 850 m

This demanding high mountain route crosses one of the wildest passes of the circuit. From the granite basin around Ventosa i Calvell the path climbs toward a rugged barrier of cliffs and broken rock, then plunges into a remote valley of lakes and waterfalls. The scenery is dominated by the serrated ridges of Pic de Contraix and Pic de Comalesbienes, with long, steep sections that require sure footing and good weather.

From the hut the trail traverses above the shoreline toward the grassy hollow of Pleta de Colieto, then follows a rough path beside the outlet streams to Estany Gran de Colieto. The climb becomes steeper on the Costera de Contraix, zigzagging across loose stone and occasional slabs toward the narrow notch of the Contraix pass. After the final rocky ramp you crest the skyline and look down on the dark waters of Estany de Contraix far below.

From the pass a demanding descent on cairned paths leads beside waterfalls and smooth slabs into the valley of La Ribereta. The terrain gradually softens as you pass the Cova dels Pastors and enter fragrant pine forest, with streams tumbling between boulders. A final gentle stretch along the river brings you to the meadows around Estany Llong, where the stone refuge stands in an open clearing, a quiet place to relax and watch the evening light on the surrounding walls.

Refugi del Estany Llong

Info

Day

Refugi de l'Estany Llong - Refugi Colomina

Duration: 04:55 h

Distance: 11.3 km

Ascent: 750 m

Descent: 350 m

After a few intense days, you have deserved an easier one. After breakfast, you can take the entire day to cover the 4 hours of hiking that is planned for today. Still, you are climbing almost 800 meters today. That is the only way to reach Refugi Colomina, the highest of all Carros de Foc refugis. This refugi has been revamped not so long ago. It offers splendid views over the Southern section of Aigüestortes. An excellent place to spend your last night on the Carros de Foc.

Refugi Colomina

Info

Day

Refugi Colomina - Refugi Josep Maria Blanc - Espot

Duration: 05:30 h

Distance: 13.8 km

Ascent: 250 m

Descent: 1340 m

The Carros de Foc is not done yet. You will have completed the full circuit once you check into Josep Maria Blanc for the second time. This hike will take you about two hours. On the way there, you will come across a few lakes like Estany de Mar and Estany de Saburo. Once you see Estany Negre de Peguera, you may recognize the same trail from a few days ago. Now you are well on your way to Josep Maria Blanc and, finally, Espot. Well done, you've conquered the Carros de Foc!

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Included

Booking the huts

We will take care of arranging accommodation on the Carros de Foc for you. We will also provide you with a detailed itinerary for every stage and instructions on how to get to the trailhead.
Full travel guide

You’ll receive access to our trekking app, which serves as your complete digital travel guide for the Carros de Foc. Inside, you’ll find everything you need for your trek: route descriptions, hiking maps, navigation support, payment information, and all the key details specific to your journey.
Full-board

Accommodation at the huts includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We will arrange this for you as well. This allows you to travel lighter and have one less thing to worry about.
Accommodation

During your Carros de Foc, you will spend your nights in mountain huts. You'll sleep here in dormitories, as the booked mountain huts don't have any private rooms.
Navigation support

Our trekking app also includes built-in navigation support. With GPS-based maps and offline access, you can follow the trail confidently and stay on route even without mobile signal.

Excluded

Traveling to and from

You have to make your own way to the starting point. The total amount does not include personal transport.
Transfers

Should you need any form of (public) transport on location, this is not part of the trekking package. This includes the use of taxi, bus, cable cars, gondolas, ferries, etc.
Travel Insurance

Your international travel insurance is your own responsibility. Discuss your itinerary with the insurance company before your trek.
Personal expenses

Personal expenses on such as souvenirs, drinks, and other similar expenses are for your own account.

FAQ

Is The Carros de Foc For Me?
What Is The Best Season for The Carros de Foc?
How to Get To the Starting Point of Your Trek
How to Get Back at the End of the Trek
What if the dates I want are not available?
If I book now, can I immediately arrange the rest of my trip?
How do I know if this trek is right for me?

How to Book

Booking
Availability
Cancellation policy

Reviews

Just for You

8-Day Carros de Foc Trek Including Hotel Before and After

6-Day Carros de Foc Trek From Hut to Hut

Itinerary

Espot - Refugi d'Amitges

Refugi d'Amitges

Refugi d'Amitges - Refugi Colomèrs

Refugi Colomèrs

Refugi Colomers - Refugi Ventosa i Cavell

Refugi Ventosa i Calvell

Refugi Ventosa i Cavell - Refugi de l'Estany Llong

Refugi del Estany Llong

Refugi de l'Estany Llong - Refugi Colomina

Refugi Colomina

Refugi Colomina - Refugi Josep Maria Blanc - Espot

Included

Booking the huts

Full travel guide

Full-board

Accommodation

Navigation support

Excluded

Traveling to and from

Transfers

Travel Insurance

Personal expenses

FAQ

Is The Carros de Foc For Me?

What Is The Best Season for The Carros de Foc?

How to Get To the Starting Point of Your Trek

How to Get Back at the End of the Trek

What if the dates I want are not available?

If I book now, can I immediately arrange the rest of my trip?

How do I know if this trek is right for me?

How to Book

Booking

Availability

Cancellation policy

Reviews

Reviews

Just for You

Intermediate

8-Day Carros de Foc Trek Including Hotel Before and After

Families

Family Petit Carros de Foc

Beginner

Half Carros de Foc

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