Pyrenees Ariège & Andorra: L'hospitalet-Près-L'andorre to Alos D’Isil
Stages P13 – P20
L'hospitalet-Près-L'andorre (1421m) to Refugi de Juclar (2216m)
02/02/2020
Stage: P13
Map: French IGN 1/25,000: 2249OT Bourg – Madame
Time: 7.30hrs (dept 08.20hrs / arrive 15.50)
Distance: 13.1km (ascent 1328m / descent 461m)
Weather: mix of sunshine and clouds
Notes: An interesting route through remote terrain, following the HRP. Climb the obvious valley heading NW. Pass 2 refuges (Brougnic 2060m and Besine 2040) to a lake with a cave bivouac (Pedourres 2180m), and on to another lake Couart 2260m. Turn SW to a pass (Col D’Albe 2546m), and traverse past pt 2416m to pass under the Collada de Juclar, before turning SW and down to the Refugi.
Accommodation: Refugi de Juclar (2216m) also known as Cabane de Estany de Juclar is a large refuge with a small part open in winter. It is clean with a fireplace (no wood) and metal bunks. No mattress or blankets. The entrance to the winter room is a few meters to the right of the main door.
Alternative accommodation: Refuge Brougnic (2060m) is small and quite basic with no facilities. Abri Pedourres is an old mine entrance forming a small cave.
Refugi de Juclar (2216m) to Refugio de Coms de Jan (2215m)
03/02/2020
Stage: P14
Maps: French IGN 1/25,000: 2249OT Bourg – Madame & Editorial Alpina 1/40,000 Andorra
Time: 5.30hrs (dept 08.15 / arrive 13.45)
Distance: 9.8km (ascent 875m / descent 975m)
Weather: warm and sunny
Notes: This is a relatively short stage mostly traversing south facing slopes, following the HRP/GRP summer trail. The initial section requires careful route finding between rocky outcrops, before a reasonable descent through well-spaced trees to the Rio del Manegor river. The climb to the Ref Sorda (which is about half way through this stage) is straightforward. From here avoid the steep HRP path and take a lower line (200m below) towards the pass. This is easier and safer. Easy descent to the hut, which should be visible.
Accommodation: Refugio de Coms de Jan (2215m) is small refuge with 2 rooms (space for 10 pax). It has metal bunks and a poor fireplace. No mattress or blankets.
Alternative accommodation: Cabana Sorda (2295m) has space for 20. Open fireplace, metal bunks, no mattress or blankets
Refugio de Coms de Jan (2215m) to El Serrat (1502m)
04/02/2020
Stage: P15
Maps: French IGN 1/25,000: 2148OT Vicdessos & Editorial Alpina 1/40,000 Andorra
Time: 5.30hrs (dept 08.00hrs / arrive 13.30)
Distance: 11.6km (ascent 628m / descent 1272m)
Weather: Very strong winds with some light snow & rain.
Notes: This is a popular valley with local skiers and there should be tracks. The HRP follows the valley to the Collada dels Meners (2720m) and this is the summer walking route. This is probably also the best winter ski route. We chose to cross the Coll de la Mina (2673m) which is shown as a ski route on some maps. But this has more difficult route finding and more technical terrain. For both routes leave the hut and make a descending traverse into the valley bottom. Then head directly west over moderate terrain to the Coll. Descend a valley passing the Cabana Pleta Serrera (2220m), and the Refugi de Sorteny (1980m). There should be ski tracks in this valley. For the final section into the village it may be worth staying on the forest road beyond the village if this has better snow than the direct footpath through the woods.
Accommodation: There are several hotels in el Serrat (1502m): Ninuit, Bringue & Tristaina.
Alternative Accommodation: Cabana Dels Meners (2700m) is a very basic stone shed at the top of the Collada dels Meners.
Cabana Pleta Serrera (2220m) is small (4 pax).
Refugi de Sorteny (1980m) is open during the ski season, and also has a winter room with space for 8 pax.
Resupply options: El Serrat is road accessible and can be used as a resupply point. There are no shops.
El Serrat (1502m) to Refugi de Vallferrera (1940m)
05/02/2020
Stage: P16
Maps: French IGN 1/25,000: 2148OT Vicdessos & Editorial Alpina 1/40,000 Andorra & Editorial Alpina 1/25,000 Pica d”Estats – Mount Roig
Time: 8.45hrs (dept 07.45hrs / arrive 16.30)
Distance: 19.9km (ascent 1709m / descent 1370m)
Weather: Cold, clear & sunny.
Notes: A long, interesting and challenging day crossing 2 cols. The initial section is a walk of 3-4km with 500m of ascent to Arcalis. There is a good footpath that avoids the road, and may have enough snow to ski. Study the piste map for the Arcalis ski area and follow the long ‘Megaverda’ green run to just below the Port de Rat (2537m). Climb easily to the pass. The descent on the west side is steep for several hundred meters and the best line is not obvious (stay slightly left). Descend to the obvious road at c2000m and follow this west. There are several possible ways to the Port de Bouet (2509m). The line of the summer path is probably not the best winter route. There is a new small cabin approx 100m before the pass that is not shown on any map. The descent of the Baiau valley is straightforward. Keep high on the right (north) side to the cowshed Cabana de Boet (1860m). Then traverse North to the hut.
Accommodation: Refugi de Vallferrera (1940m). Possibly open on request / or use the good winter room with space for 8.
Alternative accommodation: Cabane du Rat (2313m) is very small (2 pax) but is reported to be modern and good quality.
Cabane de la Crouts (1900m) / Cabane d'Estrets (1820m) both space for 4 pax and are quite basic.
There is an unnamed ‘new’ cabin on the East side of Port de Bouet.
Refugi de Vallferrera (1940m) to Refugi de Baborte (2380m)
06/02/2020
Stage: P17
Map: Editorial Alpina 1/25,000 Pica d”Estats – Mount Roig
Time: 5.15hrs (dept 08.30hrs / arrive 13.45)
Distance: 7.6km (ascent 823m / descent 366m)
Weather: Warm and sunny
Notes: A short and fairly straightforward stage. Our planned route followed the HRP via the Pont de Molinassa and Cabane de Basello to Estany Baborte / Refugi de Baborte 2380m. Lack of snow on the south facing slopes of Vallferrera caused us to change the route. We headed north from the hut to Estany de Sotlo (2340m) and then west over Coll de Baborte (2596m). This route was slightly longer, but more of it could be done on skis.
Accommodation: Refugi de Baborte (2380m) is a well maintained orange metal box with beds/mattress for 8 pax.
Alternative accommodation: Cabane de Basello/Bacello (1972m) is a small basic refuge with space for 4 pax.
Alternative route: There is a longer, more technical route from Vallferrera to Ref l’Etang du Pinet (2246m). From Estany de Sotlo continue north to Port de Sotlo (2874m) then traverse east to Col de la Cometa (2905m) before descending north to the hut. See P17X and P18X in the ‘Alternate routes’ section.
Refugi de Baborte (2380m) to Refugi de Certascan (2230m)
07/02/2020
Stage: P18
Map: Map: Editorial Alpina 1/25,000 Pica d”Estats – Mount Roig
Time: 7.30hrs (dept 08.15hrs / arrive 15.45)
Distance: 13.6km (ascent 1264m / descent 1425m)
Weather: Slightly overcast.
Notes: Our route follows the HRP. From the hut climb to the Coll de Sellente / Baborte (2488m). There is then a long descent northwards possible on ski until c1700m. The path down through the woods is wide and quite good. Cabana de Sellente is in Pla de la Borda (1460m). The climb northwards on south facing slopes is likely to be snow free. The path is narrow in places but fairly well marked. From Pleta de Llurri (1833m) it may be better to drop to the valley floor in search of better snow rather than hold the high traverse line of the summer footpath. At the head of the valley climb to c2200m before traversing west to the hut. The Refugi is located at the south end of a large lake.
Accommodation: Refugi de Certascan (2230m) is a medium size refuge open on request and at weekends during the ski season. Otherwise there is a single part accessible in winter with bunk, mattress and blankets (no stove). Access to door on upper level by outside stone stairs.
Alternative accommodation: There are 3 very basic ‘bothy’ type shelters along the trail but these should not be relied upon.
Cabana de Sellente (2240m) small and basic - little info available.
Cabane de la Borda (1460m) very small and very basic for 3 pax.
Pletta de Llurri (1833m) no information available.
Refugi de Certascan (2230m) to Refugi de la Pleta Del Prat (1717m)
08/02/2020
Stage: P19
Map: Editorial Alpina 1/25,000 Pica d”Estats – Mount Roig
Time: 5.30hrs (dept 08.15hrs / arrive 13.45)
Distance: 13.4km (ascent 1375m / descent 1888m)
Weather: Clear and sunny.
Notes: Route follows HRP to Noarre. Head W to Col de Certascan (2585m) then West to Estanys Blaus (2361m). The descent to Pleta de Guerossos (c2000m) weaves through some cliffs and trees. It is important to find the correct line. There may be tracks. In most years it will not be possible to ski below 2000m in this valley, down to Noarre then Quanca (1380m). This entails a long walk in the woods. Climb up to the Refuge at 1720m either on the road or a track.
Accommodation: Refugi de la Pleta Del Prat (1717m) is open all season, is road accessible and located at the foot of a small ski area.
Alternative accommodation: Refugi de Graus (1340m) is located in the valley floor before the climb to Pleta Del Prat. This may be open in winter.
There are no shelters shown on this section of the route.
Resupply Option: Pleta Del Prat is road accessible and can be used as a resupply point. There are no shops.
Refugi de la Pleta Del Prat (1717m) to Alos D’Isil (1300m)
09/02/2020
Stage: P20
Maps: Editorial Alpina 1/25,000 Pica d”Estats – Mount Roig & Editorial Alpina 1/40,000 Alt Pirirneu
Time: 8.00hrs (dept 08.00hrs / arrive 16.00)
Distance: 17.5km (ascent 1353m / descent 1802m)
Weather: Warm and sunny
Notes: This is a key section with some interesting navigation challenges. From the hut climb Eastwards to a pass at 2520m (Coll Del Forn / Collada des Tres Estanys). The best ski route does not follow the line of the summer footpath. Instead follow the line of the ski lift SW to Pla de Meli then turn W to Pleta de Gavas. Turn NW following an obvious small valley to a small Coll just East of Pic de la Coma del Forn. It is then a short descending traverse to the pass. Continue E and NE passing to the N of Pic de la Gola 2546m and E of Estany de la Gola (lake) at 2280m. Head north to Coll Curios 2425m, descend to Estanyet de Tartera 2371m. Heading West there are 2 options. The Coll de la Cornella 2480m or Coll de Tartera 2543m. Neither are without issues. The first is steep in ascent, the second has complex descent options. Descend the Comamala valley to join the main Pallaresa valley at Bordes de Pina. Head south along the road to Alos D’Isil.
Accommodation: There is a single Gite in Alos D’Isil which is only available for group bookings. The Refugi de Fornet is 2km off the route, but is comfortable with helpful staff.
Alternative accommodation: Refuge de la Gola (2215m) is reported to be a small comfortable refuge with space for 8. There are bunks but no mattress/blankets.
Resupply: We collected supplies of food, fuel, maps, batteries, etc for Section Four in Alos D’Isil. There are no shops.
