Thués-Entre-Valls - Carança refuge

Date of your route : Apr 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The beautiful scenery and interesting path! But I got lost a few times along the river. Watch out for the bridges, because I missed one and had to turn back quite a long way, haha.
Be careful with children and people who are afraid of heights.
The refuge was very nice, even though it wasn't manned.

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Date of your route : Aug 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A superb route along the Carança torrent with passages over monkey bridges and footbridges to cross and re-cross the Carança, as well as overhangs carved into the rock.
After a 9 km climb, you will reach a very welcoming refuge, ideal for hikers travelling light. It offers accommodation, meals and even a comforting bar with tapas. You can also buy a picnic to continue your hike the next day. There are dry toilets but no other sanitary facilities.
A beautiful hike in a well-preserved and well-equipped area, definitely worth discovering and even revisiting in other seasons, but not recommended for those prone to vertigo.

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Date of your route : Jul 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

water supplies at the refuge, run by a very friendly couple.

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Date of your route : Jul 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

insufficient signage, even though the route itself is not complicated.

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just to let you know that we are in a nature reserve! So dogs are strictly prohibited, swimming is tolerated but discreetly and not naked as is often the case, out of consideration for the children
there are lots of sightseers in these gorges in summer, which is a shame because the site could be interesting
far too many people in summer and not very clean

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Date of your route : Jul 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant 4-hour hike along the Carança torrent. We only did half the hike because we camped at the black pond at the top of the valley, after the beautiful Carança pond.

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Date of your route : Oct 12, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I preferred to start from the chalet via the ledge. The climb through the gorges is fun and easy, and the exit from these magnificent gorges is very steep, followed by a gentle climb back up to the refuge. Allow 3½ hours for the walk without breaks, or 5 hours if, like me, you want to enjoy the beauty of the surroundings and stop for a picnic!

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I agree with Souf's comment, which is very authentic. As I read it, I relived our experience...laughing because I have such fond memories of it.

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Date of your route : Sep 30, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Interesting route

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Date of your route : Sep 25, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, but be warned, it is very challenging if you are not an experienced hiker. Contrary to most overly optimistic reviews, even someone who claims that a 7-year-old did it without any problems must either be a mutant or there was a typo: 17 instead of 7! It's over 24 km and more than 8 hours there and back!
Three quarters of the hike is uphill with several steep sections, the path is endless, more than 4 hours and 20 minutes of walking, with several breaks. After 3 hours of walking, you're in "robot mode", moving forward without thinking. Arriving at the refuge feels like a real victory, a personal achievement. The end of the day and evening were pleasant with a small concert. There were a few tents and lots of dogs, which weren't aggressive or intrusive, but worth noting nonetheless. And above all, there were lots of cows.
After a restful night (our legs were sore) and a good breakfast, we enjoyed the scenery and the cows for a while before heading back to the car park. Now it's all downhill, our legs are a little sore but much less so than on the way up. We wonder how we managed to climb all that in over four hours, with our rucksacks! A real achievement.
The return trip was quicker, taking three and a half hours. The scenery was magnificent. But what a relief to arrive at the car park!
This hike is not recommended if you're a bit out of shape. I did it with my 15-year-old son, who isn't very athletic, but he was brave and persevered to the end.
Note that there is a lot of rubbish along the way, including toilet paper and a few plastic bottles. Some people have relieved themselves along the way! Some people are really disgusting
Indeed, some of the yellow markings have been erased, and we took the wrong path more than once. Finally, be careful with the handrails, as at some points there are wires sticking out that can easily pierce your skin and cause bleeding.

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Date of your route : Aug 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A shaded and varied circuit with a total elevation gain of 1,200 metres. You need to have a head for heights as there are suspension bridges and footbridges to cross. It's not very high, but for those who are sensitive, some sections can be challenging. But it's great. The last few kilometres are difficult for those who are not very fit, but it's doable, between the elevation gain and the backpack! Don't overload yourself! Take it easy and allow 7 hours, or much less for experienced walkers. Be aware that there is only river water for washing, no showers at the refuge. However, the food is very good and the young people who run the refuge are friendly. The surroundings are magnificent. On the way down, after the last bridge, we took the path along the cliff (very high up) and I recommend you do the same: climb up to the left of the stream and come down along the cliff. It is possible to do a loop in a day by turning back after all the bridges and footbridges (you go to the stone bridge for a picnic and then descend). Make sure you get clear directions as the corniche path is not signposted, although there are occasional yellow markers. A wonderful experience.

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Date of your route : Aug 17, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello

The map is good, but the description is a little too brief.

It would be useful to specify that:

1) Many of the yellow markings on the trail are almost completely faded

2) When coming from the car park via the "Salt del Lindo" and arriving at the river, you must stay on the right bank, keeping a sign with nothing written on it behind you. Only then will you see the sign for "Carança", which is difficult to read.

3) It is best to go in the morning, as waiting times at the ladders increase as it gets busier... many people climb down facing the drop when they should turn around...

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Date of your route : Jul 16, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful and unusual hike, done with a 7-year-old child.
All areas are equipped with cables, but those prone to vertigo may find it challenging.
The outward journey (along the right bank) is much more strenuous than the route along the cliff top, but it is also much less crowded and offers magnificent views of the gorges.

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Date of your route : Aug 27, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Beautiful hike. Long and easy to follow. Four hours of walking from Thues to reach the refuge. Food was decent. Cold outdoor shower. Dry toilets. Be aware that the dormitory is small and uncomfortable. The tents provided by the refuge are two-second Quechua tents. The "mattresses" are simple groundsheets. Beautiful views of the gorges.

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Date of your route : Aug 06, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Just beautiful

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