Carros de Foc

The easiest way to the Carros de Foc route is to start in the mountain town Espot. From there, you can reach the Ernest Mallafré refuge in only two hours and this is perfect to combine with a travel day. The next day you’ll ¨really¨ start on the Carros de Foc with a stage toward Colomers.

From Mallafré to Colomers on the Carros de Foc offers stunning alpine scenery, with It ascends through forests and passes pristine alpine lakes, leading to rugged, high-altitude terrain with panoramic views. The trail ends at Refugi de Colomers, near the breathtaking lake, surrounded by peaks.

The next stage from Colomers to Ventosa via Restanca is even stunning as well. It climbs and descends through rocky terrain, passing the Refugi Restanca for a perfect lunch break and a coffee before ascending steeply to Refugi Ventosa, a very cozy mountain hut with superb views on the lake.

On day three you’ll face the most difficult stage of the trail from Ventosa to Estany Llong. Starting with a short descend and then a steep ascent on alpine trails to the Coll de Contraix, a high-altitude mountain pass which is quite challenging. It’s incredibly beautiful with all the mountain views before descending into a valley with alpine meadows and streams. The trail ends at Refugi Estany Llong, a small mountain hut in the woods.

Sometimes a trail saves the very best for last. The hike from Estany Llong to Josep Maria Blanc begins with a gentle ascent before climbing towards the next col, offering panoramic views, before descending to Refugi Josep Maria Blanc. This is by far the most idyllic spot for a mountain hut you probably have ever seen. Set beside the alpine lakes and surrounded by the peaks and beautiful trees this mountain hut is pure magic.

The last stage is quite short with a short climb and then descent to Ernest Mallafré where you’ll complete the loop and Carros de Foc. Then you’ll only need to hike two hours to Espot where you can enjoy a nice lunch at one of the many good restaurants in town.

This is a traditional hut-to-hut hike and each segment of the trail offers different terrain, with lakes and mountain passes. Some stages involve steep alpine terrain with big boulders for the real mountain experience.

The best time to hike the Carros de Foc is from June to September when the weather is best in the high mountains, and the refuges are open. Snow can linger in high sections in early summer, so you may want to try for late summer for milder conditions and safer passage.

Even in the summer, the mountains will remain quite cool, so you’ll need to remember to bring layers, and if you’re hiking in the early summer, micro-spikes for any remaining snow. You may also encounter rain, as the weather can shift suddenly, so make sure to bring a cover for your pack and rain gear for yourself.

Hiking the Carros de Foc demands good physical fitness and proper preparation. The high-altitude terrain requires good hiking shoes with grip, weatherproof clothing, and sufficient food and water. Some sections may involve snow in early summer, so trekking poles and possibly microspikes could be useful. Because the trail passes through remote areas without any mobile service, hikers should be self-sufficient and carry a map and GPS. Booking your stay in the refugis in advance is essential, as the refuges can fill up quickly during peak season as this is a popular trek.