Porta del Cel

The first stage is rather short and can theoretically be combined with the second stage. It starts in the town of Tavascan. On the way to the first refuge, the Graus Camping, a narrow path follows a river, crosses a bridge, and will lead you over meadows gently uphill.

The second stage, from Graus Camping to the Certascan refuge, includes a climb up the Certascan peak. First of all, the path ascends through a forest, past the Noarre huts steadily up to the Pleta de Guerossos. It follows and crosses a river before it reaches the Blau del Mig Lake. Next, it comes to the Certascan pass, ridge, and peak. From here, there is a direct path down to the Certascan refuge. Otherwise, you can continue all the way to the Certascan Lake, the largest lake in the Pyrenees, before you head over to the Certascan refuge.

The next day has some spectacular views to offer. It starts with a descent from the Certascan refuge to a small lake followed by a climb up to the Llurri pass. From there, it descends further down to the Romedo lakes before it climbs up again to the Port de l’Artiga. The following descent deposits you in a valley. After having crossed this, it leads up a marked ravine and to the Montestaure Lake. A steep slope then takes you down to the Picou Estela pass. A second pass will help you cross the river on the way to the Pinet refuge.

On the way from the Pinet Refuge to the Vallferrera Refuge, you have to cross a small glacier and climb up to the highest point of the whole trail: Pica d’Estats 3,143M (10311 ft).

The last stage begins with a descent from the Vallferrera hut. You cross the river again and then ascend through a forest to the Basello hut. From there, the route continues uphill past Lake Baborte and the Baborte hut to the Sellente Pass. There is another descent, followed by a steep ascent to the Coll de la Llacuna. The subsequent Roca Cigalera rewards you with a panoramic view over the entire trail. From now on, the trail descends slowly but surely. Via the ridge and the Cabana de la Ribera all the way back to the starting point in Tavascan.

The best time to hike the Porta del Cel is from June to September. Be aware that until the mid/end of July crampons, poles, and even an ice axe might be necessary. Hiking in snowy conditions should only be attempted by people with previous experience and training. Call the huts ahead of time to learn about the conditions of the trail to prepare properly.

Porta del Cel is a challenging hike that requires experience in alpine terrain, surefootedness, and proper equipment.

You’ll want to bring the right gear, especially if you’re facing snow conditions on the trek. This includes shoes with good grip, micro-spikes, winter gear, an ice axe if necessary, and an emergency kit. Check out our comprehensive gear list for long-distance trails for more ideas.

For a trail like this, it is imperative that you share your plans with another person before heading into the mountains. Send your itinerary to someone who can look after it, and check in with them if you have to switch plans on the go.

The weather in the high mountains can change rapidly. Always check the trail conditions and local weather forecasts, and be prepared for all conditions. This includes rain, sun, or snow. Also, pay attention to the warming of the day and the resulting increase in the risk of thunderstorms or avalanche danger. If conditions are uncertain, alter your itinerary!

The Porta del Cel is a challenging hike. The trail includes demanding stages with large elevation changes and technical passes. Therefore, a good level of fitness and some previous hiking experience are required.

Glacier crossings should not be attempted light-heartedly and require a level of expertise in snow and avalanche safety. Additionally, the daily elevation gain and loss is challenging and should be properly trained for before attempting.