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The Travessa dels Tres Refugis is a spectacular high mountain circular route that connects the Freser, Bacivers, Carançà and Coma de Vaca valleys.
The snow still dominates the landscape of the Girona Pyrenees, but spring is just around the corner, bringing with it the thaw and the first blossoms in the high mountains before the fresh green shoots start to emerge, enticing you to come and enjoy this wonderful natural environment. This time we are taking a break from the morning walks and day trips to bring you something more challenging, although still well within the reach of the majority of hikers, the Three Refuges Mountain Crossing.
The Three Refuges Mountain Crossing is a spectacular high-altitude circular route that crosses the Freser, Bacivers, Carançà and Coma de Vaca valleys, most of which fall within the limits of the Girona Pyrenees, with a brief foray onto French soil.A 52.5-km-long trail linking the three refuges that give the route its name :Coma de Vaca, Ulldeter and Ras de Carançà.
The route can be completed in three, four, five or six stages, depending on the pace you set and the number of hours a day you want to walk.We’re going to focus on the long version here; six unforgettable days to marvel at the abundant wildlife, plants and flowers that are so typical of the Pyrenees, the spectacular gorges and the waterfalls… With a strong chance of spotting chamois, European mouflons, marmots, soaring vultures and, maybe, even a protected bearded vulture along the way.
There are more than 3,000 metres of elevation gain along the whole course of this mountain trail and those looking to push their limits even further can also add in some summit hikes up peaks, such as Bastiments, Gra de Fajol, Puigmal and Balandrau.
One of the attractions of mountain trekking is being able to spend some time at a mountain refuge.Enjoying the company of your fellow travelling companions and other people you meet along the way turn these overnight stays into truly memorable experiences. Watching the night fall silently over the mountains from the warmth of a mountain refuge is an experience everyone should enjoy at least once in a lifetime. In the current climate, we should also stress that the three refuges fully comply with all the protocols to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
With the exception of a few unmarked sections, the route is waymarked with a variety of different type of markings (red and white GR stripes, milestones, red dots, yellow stripes). The trails starts in Queralbs, in the heart of Headwaters of the Rivers Ter and Freser Natural Park, and the first day is spent hiking through the Freser Gorges to the Coma de Vaca refuge. The hike presented here is based on walking for three to four hours a day,a feasible challenge for most people. As mentioned above, this is a trip that can easily be done in a shorter amount of time, covering more ground each day without compromising the essence of the route.
It is important to remember that this is a high-altitude mountain hike and, therefore, anyone tackling it should be properly prepared and equipped, having checked the weather forecast and made the appropriate reservations at the refuges in advance to avoid any unwelcome last-minute surprises.It is best to plan your mountain crossing for the period between June and mid September when the three refuges are open. You can find all the information you need about the crossing at www.t3r.cat, or via the following email address:info@t3r.cat or by calling 649 229 012.
