Estany de Sant Maurici and els Encantats
Carros de Foc
The Carros de Foc is the most special trek in the whole Catalan Pyrenees: five days walking in a loop through the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, sleeping in a different mountain hut each night, surrounded by glacial lakes and passes above 2,700 metres. We enter via the Vall Fosca, from Sallente, and close the loop clockwise.
🏔 ENRITERRA logistical support
TD2 qualified mid-mountain guide and full logistical support: accommodation and every detail, coordinated with local partners in the area.
🚗 ENRITERRA will also help coordinate car logistics so we can share rides and arrive together in as few vehicles as possible: saving effort and money, and polluting less.
What makes this route special
- A 5-day circular trek through the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, Catalonia’s only National Park.
- Crossing Coll de Contraix (2,745 m), the highest point of the whole circuit.
- A different mountain hut each night, surrounded by glacial lakes.
- Estany de Sant Maurici and els Encantats, the most iconic postcard view of the Catalan Pyrenees.
- The last night at refuge Josep Maria Blanc, one of the most idyllic corners of the whole Pyrenees.
Technical sheet
| Dates | 22 to 26 September 2027 |
| Duration | 5 days / 4 nights |
| Start and finish | Sallente (closed loop) |
| Total distance | ~66 km |
| Elevation gain | 4,220 m |
| Difficulty | Hard You’ll need good physical fitness and experience on routes with a distance and elevation gain similar to those on this trek. |
| Meeting point | Sallente, Vall Fosca (Lleida) |
The number of participants is adjusted to the difficulty, commitment and safety of the route, to look after the experience, the pace and the attention given to each person.
Day by day
Day 1 — Sallente → Estany Llong
From Sallente we climb to the Colomina refuge, already inside the National Park, and descend to Estany Llong, where we spend the first night.
Day 2 — Estany Llong → Restanca · the queen stage
The most demanding stage of the trek. We climb Coll de Contraix (2,745 m), the highest point of the whole circuit, and descend towards the Ventosa i Calvell refuge as far as Restanca.
Day 3 — Restanca → Amitges
A long stage among lakes: we pass Colomers and the Saboredo cirque before reaching the Amitges refuge.
Day 4 — Amitges → Josep Maria Blanc
The day of Estany de Sant Maurici, with els Encantats silhouetted in the background. We pass close by the Mallafré refuge before climbing to Josep Maria Blanc.
Day 5 — Josep Maria Blanc → Sallente
Descent back through Colomina to Sallente, closing the loop.
The last night, at refuge Josep Maria Blanc: one of the most idyllic corners of the whole Pyrenees.
Route map
Closed 5-day, 4-night loop covered clockwise, starting and finishing at Sallente.
Gear needed
- Mountain backpack (approx. 30–40 L)
- Worn-in, comfortable mountain boots, ideally mid-cut to properly support the ankle
- Layered technical clothing: base layer, mid layer and waterproof/windproof outer shell
- Refuge sleeping liner, compulsory in most refuges
- Trekking poles
- Hat, buff or neck gaiter and light gloves
- Sunglasses and high-protection sunscreen
- Headlamp with spare batteries
- Water (minimum 1.5–2 L) and energy food for each stage
Close to the departure dates we’ll send you a more thorough list, adjusted to the weather forecast at the time.
Price
- Pre-book with no payment (2 minutes)
- We check your level and confirm your place as soon as possible
- You pay a €100 deposit to secure your place; the rest, 30 days before departure
✅ Included
- TD2 qualified mid-mountain guide throughout the trek
- Accident and liability insurance
- Gift: Carros de Foc map, Editorial Alpina
- Technical advice before and during the trek
❌ Not included
- Half-board at each refuge: Estany Llong €67 · Restanca €68 · Amitges €72 · Josep Maria Blanc €72
- Option to add a packed lunch at each refuge
- Extra consumption at refuges outside the half-board plan
- Transport to the meeting point
📷 Photo gallery
Click an image to enlarge it.
📝 Pre-book your place (no payment)
So the whole group is comfortable, we check each person’s level before confirming their place. We’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
If several of you are coming, answer for the least experienced person in the group.