La Vall Fosca in the Aigüestortes National Park, Parc Nacional d'Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici is a splendid hiking route that uses a cable car, Telefèric de la Vall Fosca, to ascend to the first of many great lakes that form part of a vast hydro electric power generation complex that is hidden underground within the mountain.
This is a demanding 14Km one-day hike through the high mountain valley of La Vall Fosca, Dark Valley, is composed of twenty-six glacial lakes with the highlights are Salente reservoir, Panta de Salente, Gento Lake Estany Gento, Tort Lake Estany Tort, Colomina Lake Estany de Colomina, Sea Lake Estany de Mar, Saburó Lake Estany Saburó and Frescal Lake Estany Frescal.
When walking to Tort Lake you will see the remains of a narrow gauge railway. This was used by the granite rock quarry that harvested the stone for the many lake dams to convert the mountain range into a power station. The last section of the route from Gento lake to Salente reservoir is along a Via Verde. Via Verde's are old rural railway lines that have been removed and converted into cycle lanes.
This is another amazing hiking route that I have done twice and offers a colour palate of granite grey from the rugged summits, a clear dark blue from the lakes and a vibrant green from grasses and plants.
The Sallente reservoir is fed by water from Estany Gento and the 26 glacial lakes that feed the Flamisell river. It is what is known as a reversible hydro power plant. Gento Lake is at an altitude 400m greater than Sallente lake. To generate electricity, water is dropped in a steep narrowing subterranean tube under pressure of gravity to the height of Sallente lake, where hidden inside a rock solid granite chamber within the mountain are water turbine electric generators. flow control valves at the top open to allow water to rush into the tube when electricity is in demand. When electricity is at a surplus (at night) water is pumped back up to the top lake (Estany Gento). This is called peak plants that use a water battery or pumped hydro storage to provide a boost to the electricity grid in times of high demand.
The power plant within the mountain is closed to the public and does not offer guided tours. The only evidence of it's existence is a large electricity substation at the base of the cable car and a mysterious tunnel entrance that drops down a steep incline into the mountain. However, the Museu Hidroelèctric de Cabdella that you pass on the way to Vall de Fosca is a hydroelectric museum in the Flamisell river hydro plant built 1914 and decommissioned 1998.
As the Vall de Fosca cable car pulls into the upper station, you will exit the cabin and descend the 88 steps down the steel tower turning right onto an ascending path up to Tort Lake. Follow the dis-used railway then the path towards Colomina Lake and refugi. Walk along the top of the lake dam wall to the left of the refugi and pick up the rocky trail that skirts Colomina lake. There are multiple places to stop along this path to appreciate the views.
This trail passes via Estany de Mar lake and at the end takes a snaking steep ascending path up to Estany Saburó where there is a nice spot to sit and have lunch behind the dam. Walk along the top of a couple of dams and cross a rocky undulating plain with some marshy ground and mountain flowers skirting Estany de mar and heading towards Estany de la Frescal.
On the corner of Estany Frescal there is another nice spot to sit and eat with a panoramic lake view. The path descends via a valley back to Colomina lake then on down back to the cable car upper station and Bar Restaurant Telefèric 2200. I recommend stopping here for snacks and refreshments on the terrace bar viewpoint. From here follow the paved path along the route of the former railway passing via several tunnels. Look out for a path on the right descending down next to canal de pigolo back the the cable car lower station.
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Allow 7 to 9 hours to complete this challenging route.
I would start the route with 2 to 3 litres of water, knowing that there is plenty of fresh water in the lakes.
Aim to get the 10:00 or 11:15 cable car to Estany Gento. any later and this is not viable as a one day hike.
Alternatively, this mountain paradise can be visited as a weekend getaway hike staying overnight in a mountain hostel with picture perfect landscapes next to Colomina Lake, Refugi Colomina. It is usual to see free range cattle grazing around Colomina Lake.
Note: that it is not permitted to swim in any of the lakes in Aigüestortes Natural park and if your caught you will get fined.
This route is great with a dog and I have done it twice with a fury friend. The route is is a lot of uphill walking which is physically demanding both for humans and dogs. Note that there could be snow and the lakes iced over up to the beginning of May at the altitude of the Refugi Colomina so ensure your dog does not get cold or frozen paw pads. Note that we were permitted in the cable car with a dog but it is worth phoning ahead to confirm this.
Foliage is scrub and trees with short section through some pines. The chances of finding poisonous Pine Processionary Caterpillars is low but diligence is advised in spring and summer.
This is a medium-hard walking route. I always do it with a small rucksack of the essentials and first aid kit. Emergency waterproof/windproof jacket is advised because it can be windy in these high mountains.
I would start the route with 2 to 3 litres of water, knowing that there is plenty of fresh water in the lakes.
Address: La Torre de Cabdella, Lleida. 25515
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Spectacular 14km circular hiking route via seven glacial lakes in high mountains of Aigüestortes Vall de Fosca using a cable car to climb to Estany Gento
Distance: 14.80 Km
Difficulty: Moderate
Return Travel Fare: €20.00
Transport Network: Car
Mountain Forecast weather for Aigüestortes Pic Morto
