Cavalls del Vent Hike

On your first day, you’ll arrive at La Molina by train, which can be reached from various parts of Spain. Once there, you have two options for the Niu de l’Àliga hut: either take a straightforward chairlift right to the refuge or hike there. The hike is 7.5 kilometers long, with an uphill climb of 900 meters. It’s physically demanding, but in this case, you won’t have to pay for the chairlift. After your journey, you’ll stay overnight at the Niu de l’Àliga hut.

On day two, the path descends from La Tosa through open woodlands and meadows, leading to Coll de Jou and up to Penyes Altes at 2,279 meters. As you weave through lush alpine meadows, you’ll be surrounded by diverse flora and fauna, including grazing livestock and wild choughs. The trail, marked by a mix of meadows, forest, and a rocky section with a rope for assistance, culminates at the charming Serrat de les Esposes hut.

On the third day, you’ll cover a distance some people break into two stages, which is unnecessary due to both being relatively short. Midway, you’ll intersect with the historic Route of the Cathars (GR107), leading you past the refreshing Font Freda and through dense woodlands abundant with wildlife, including chamois. You’ll then ascend to Prat de les Estelles, following a stream to Coll de Vimboca. The trail, once used by smugglers, transitions into alpine meadows and Spanish pine, taking you to breathtaking viewpoints at Pradell and Pas dels Bous. The day ends as you leave the Moixero range, enter the Cadi region, and finally arrive at the scenic Prat d’Aguiló.

On this segment of your hike, you’ll start at the Prat d’Aguilo hut, a base for climbers heading to the north face of the Cadi. The journey up the PR124, or the Route of the Reapers, is a steady but panoramic climb through meadows and scree to the Pas dels Gosolans at 2,243 meters. As you traverse the Serra Pedragosa ridge and descend to El Collell, the vegetation shifts from pine forests to lush beechwood in the Gresolet Valley. The path to the Lluís Estasen hut, though long, rewards you with continuous views of the iconic Pedraforca mountain, its distinct shape a highlight of the Catalan landscape.

Leaving the Lluis Estasen hut, named for a rock-climbing pioneer, your next destination is Gresolet, descending through the Jaca del Prats. Arriving in the valley, you’re greeted by the Gresolet hut in a wooded valley featuring a picturesque lawn with views of Pedraforca. The hike to Gresolet is short, so you’ll continue to the next refuge. The journey takes you through dense beechwoods to the Coll de la Bauma. As you continue, the scenery changes to a Mediterranean landscape with fragrant thyme and lavender. After a steep and engaging climb through a gorge filled with charming waterfalls, including the remarkable El Bullidor de la Llet, you reach the Sant Jordi hut.

Your route from the Sant Jordi initially descends to Ca l’Escriu on the GR107, followed by an ascent to Coll d’Escriu, surrounded by beech and pine trees. From here, you follow a lengthy descent through stunning beechwoods to Greixer, crossing roads and a river. The final part of the journey is a steep climb through fields to the house of Millares. The day’s last stretch, a 30 to 45-minute climb through Scots pine and box, leads to Rebost. Despite the day’s rigor, with frequent changes in elevation and the anticipation of reaching the hut at each turn, you’re ultimately rewarded with magnificent views of Pedraforca and the surrounding mountains.

On your final day, you’ll leave from Rebost toward the place where it all started. The trail ascends continuously, initially meandering through meadows and forests with stunning views. However, as you surpass 2,000 meters in altitude, the environment transforms into a rockier terrain with sparse vegetation. Eventually, you reach the Niu de l’Àliga hut, perched at the highest point of La Molina ski resort on La Tosa mountain at 2,537 meters. You’ll spend your last night in the so-called Eagle’s Nest.

On your final morning, after waking up in the Niu de l’Àliga hut and enjoying breakfast amidst the stunning panorama of Alt Bergueda, you have two options for concluding your adventure. For a leisurely end to the journey, you can take a chairlift down to the valley, a scenic and relaxing descent that offers a unique perspective of the landscapes you’ve traversed. Alternatively, if you’re up for one last trek, you can hike down to La Molina. Once at La Molina, you can conveniently catch a train to the airport.