Mallafré refuge - La Molina car park

Fourth and final stage of this loop in the Encantats. No technical difficulties except for the length of the descent once you have passed the first pass. Magnificent view of the Encantats in the morning as you leave the refuge.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Almost a loop in the Encantats de Cavallers in La Molina

Details

80253332
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 19.50 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 597 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,176 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,430 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,318 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(S) Take the path that climbs westward. Admire the view of the Encantats (accessible only by mountaineering).

(1) At the crossroads, turn left and follow the Sant Maurici pond.

(2) Cross the stream and continue climbing northwest.

(3) At the crossroads, turn left and continue climbing. Reach the Col d'Espot.

(4) Admire the view on both sides before heading back down west.

(5) At the hairpin bend to the left, leave the wide path and take a narrower trail that starts opposite and leads directly to the Estany Redó.

(6) Continue descending southwards and rejoin the path you left earlier.

(7) Turn right, follow the Étang Long on your left, and arrive at the refuge of the same name.

(8) Continue straight ahead, pass the Refuge Centraleta, then take the Aiguestortes trail and the Pla de la Molina to reach the Saint-Esprit Chapel.

(9) Continue downhill and you will come to the Cascade Saint-Esprit viewpoint.

(10) Continue downhill, following the Llebreta Pond. Pass the Magre hut and reach the end of the pond.

(11) At this point, you have two options: either follow the road to the car park, or (as shown on the map) take the path on the left, crossing the stream. Stay on this path, which runs parallel to the road, and rejoin it at the bridge over the stream, near a car park.

(12) Turn left and head to the Molina car park (E).

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 1,897 m - Ernest Mallafré refuge
  2. 1 : km 0.1 - alt. 1,904 m - Crossroads
  3. 2 : km 1.37 - alt. 2,003 m - Stream
  4. 3 : km 2.43 - alt. 2,180 m - Crossroads
  5. 4 : km 4.25 - alt. 2,425 m - Col d'Espot
  6. 5 : km 5.34 - alt. 2,210 m - Hairpin bend
  7. 6 : km 6.01 - alt. 2,136 m - Redo Pond
  8. 7 : km 7.44 - alt. 2,009 m - Return along the same route
  9. 8 : km 8.37 - alt. 2,001 m - Étang Long refuge
  10. 9 : km 12.33 - alt. 1,818 m - Mirador de Saint-Esprit
  11. 10 : km 13.87 - alt. 1,665 m - Waterfall
  12. 11 : km 15.19 - alt. 1,626 m - Crossroads
  13. 12 : km 18.63 - alt. 1,393 m - Aigues Tortes road
  14. E : km 19.5 - alt. 1,318 m - La Molina car park

Notes

(8) Refuge de l'Étang Long: possibility to fill up with water.

(E) Once you arrive at the La Molina car park, return to the Cavallers car park to retrieve the second vehicle.

Worth a visit

(9) Saint Esprit Chapel: go to the viewpoint 200 m to the left to enjoy a beautiful view of the valley and the Llebreta Pond below.
(10) Cascade Saint Esprit: beautiful waterfalls with 5-metre-deep giant's kettles.

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.