English EUR €
English 
Porta del Cel - Hut to Hut
Duration: 4 days
Trails: T4 trails
Distance: 15 - 20 km per day
Ascent per day: More than 1000 m ascent per day
> Hike 4 days high in the Pyrenees
> Spend your nights in mountain huts
> Cover 65 kilometers of distance and 11.000 altitude meters
The Porta del Cel is a 4-day circular hut-to-hut trek in the Spanish Pyrenees offering a small escape to the French side. On the Porta del Cel you start and finish at the same point, you visit 3 different huts, refugis in Catalan and refuge in French, you cover 65 kilometers of distance and about 11.000 meters of elevation. There's so much to do on this wild side of Catalonia!
Not only do you climb the highest peak, but you are in the largest national park and see the largest mountain lake in Catalonia. In that respect, the Porta del Cel is truly a trek of superlatives. That largest national park is called Parc Natural de l'Alt Pirinieu and you will have some of the most beautiful views that not only Catalonia but also Spain has to offer. Porta del Cel is Catalan for Heaven's Gate and if you focus on those few aspects, it is not hard to understand why.
During this 4-day adventure, you'll start and finish in Tavascan. We have divided the first stage into two, to be able to give you a full hut-to-hut experience. This is why the first stage is a relatively short one. You will walk high into the mountains, along the way you will encounter highlights such as lake Certascan and the Pica d'Estats. You will spend your nights in cozy mountain huts, where you will meet other hikers and can enjoy breakfast, dinner and a picnic lunch.
Bear in mind that this trek is quite intense as you will cover a lot of altitude meters in a few days. This trek requires you to have experience in the mountains and to be a bit of a mountain goat!
Itinerary
Day
1
Tavascan - Refugio de Certascan
Duration: 05:40 h
Distance: 14.5 km
Ascent: 1500 m
Descent: 370 m
Today you will begin your walk along the river and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. You continue your way through the valley between the peaks of Causes and Pic de Sabollés. You will end this day on the shores of the largest glacial lake in Catalonia, at Refugi de Certascan.
Refugio de Certascan
Day
2
Refugi de Certascan - Refuge du Pinet
Duration: 05:30 h
Distance: 12.4 km
Ascent: 1040 m
Descent: 1040 m
Today you will cross the border to France and you will barely notice it. No border post, no passport checks, and definitely no queue. The mountains don't adhere to imaginary lines. On the French side of Heaven's Gate Way, you will find Refuge de Pinet, where you will find Marion. She has lived the Refuge life since she can remember, her father having managed Pinet before her. Here, at 2,240 meters you will definitely have a good and relaxed time.
Refugio de Pinet
Day
3
Refuge du Pinet - Refugi de Vallferrera
Duration: 05:35 h
Distance: 12.8 km
Ascent: 890 m
Descent: 1200 m
Upon walking back to the Spanish side of the border, you will come eye in eye with the highest peak of Catalonia, Pica d'Estats. You will be climbing for about 900 meters until you reach this stunning peak. Technically, this peak is exactly on the border and that also explains its name, States Peak. It was first climbed by Count Henry Russell and Jean-Jac Denjean, pioneers in Alpinism in the Pyrenees. Take it all in before you slowly descend to Refugi de Vallferrera for a well-deserved cervesa.
Refugio de Vallferrera
Included
Excluded
FAQ
What and Where Is The Porta del Cel?
Is The Porta Del Cel For Me?
How to Book
Booking
Availability
Cancellation policy
Packing List for the La Porta del Cel
Information
Essentials
Extras
Reviews
Book Now
Contact our Trekking Expert
Maureen Ypma
Reviews
Just for You
