The Pyrenees are still synonymous with beauty. In the Catalan Pyrenees there are incredible hiking routes suitable for all ages, such as the Carrilet-Estany Gento, an old railway line transformed into a greenway.
Along the way, you can enjoy the spectacular landscapes of the upper part of Vall Fosca, located in the province of Lleida. The little ones can certainly sign up for the excursion, located at the gates of the Aigüestortes National Park and Lake San Mauricio.
This “Carrilet” was built in 1911 “to transport the materials necessary for the construction of the Capdella hydroelectric power station and the entire system of pipes which connect the different ponds in the area”, we explain on the site of Tourism in the Catalan Pyrenees.
There are more than 30 lakes or estanys distributed over the head of Vall Fosca, above 2,000 meters above sea level. This altitude is easily and comfortably accessible thanks to the cable car which operates for tourist use during the months of July and August.
In Sallente there is a reservoir and the lower station of the cable car. This cable car was installed in 1981 to build the Sallente reversible power plant and can load up to 25,000 kilos, one of the largest transport capacities in Europe.
After 14 minutes of climbing, at 2,200 meters, you reach the cable car restaurant shelter and the magnificent landscape of Estany Gento. We are located in the peripheral protection zone of the Aigüestortes and Estany Sant Maurici National Park, to the south of this natural space.
The cable car is only in tourist service during the months of July and August. The rest of the year we have a route of 7 kilometers for the outward journey and many more for the return which takes us to the Estany Gento from the Sallente reservoir, the dam being the starting point of the itinerary. Instead of taking the cable car, the climb is zigzag along the Pigolo canal path.
Area to produce energy
This area was used to produce energy. The main engineering works are underground, with 15 kilometers of network that connect different lakes and bring water to Estany Gento. In fact, the route reveals the economic and social transformation of Vall Fosca following the construction of the Capdella hydroelectric power station in 1914 and the Gento-Sallente reversible hydroelectric power station, at the end of the 20th century.
From Estany Gento the Voie Verte Carrilet begins on the right. It is a flat area that stretches between old rails and four tunnels along this 5 kilometer path. The route of the old railway lines will take us to the water reservoir of the Capdella hydroelectric power station, at 2,136 meters above sea level. The descent is done by the same path.
The railway tracks are preserved on almost the entire route, although they are in the best condition in the initial part. The tunnels are dug into the rock and some are quite spectacular due to their length.
Once at the top, the views of the Vall Fosca are incredible as it is a beautiful Pyrenean glacial valley through which the Flamisell River flows. From above you can see the towns of Capdella and Espui in the background.
How to get there by car
To access the Sallente reservoir from Huesca, you have to take the N-123 and travel three hours by road. From Zaragoza, it takes three and a half hours on the AP-2.
To access the Carrilet road, in Pobla de Segur, take the N-260 road towards Senterada. Arriving in Senterada after 10.1 kilometers and exactly at the entrance to this town, you must take the L-503 road on the right towards Pobleta de Bellveí and Capdella. After continuing on the L-503 highway for about 26 kilometers, we arrive at the Sallente reservoir. If it is summer, leave the Sallente dam on your right and continue to the lower station of the Vall Fosca cable car.
Aigüestortes and Estany Sant Maurici National Park
La Vall Fosca, which means “dark” due to the shadow that forms on the high mountain walls at sunset, is the gateway to the Aigüestortes i Estany Sant Maurici National Park, where the immensity of the Encantats mountains. rises at the foot of the lake.
It is the only national park in Catalonia. It was created in 1955 and became the fifth in Spain and the second in the Pyrenees, with Ordesa and Monte Perdido.
In the park you will find endless trails, rivers, forests, glacial valleys, waterfalls with cold, crystal clear waters and almost 200 lakes gathered in an area of 105 kilometers of high mountains. In addition to being a particular destination for astronomical tourism, since the entire territory of Vall Fosca has the UNESCO Starlight certificate since 2018.
This natural park is covered in lush forests of black pines, firs, Scots pines, birches and beeches which are home to a multitude of plants and animals of alpine or boreal origin.
In 2021, the Responsible Tourism Institute (ITR) granted the Biosphere Destination certification to the entire municipality of Lleida and, in fact, the Aigüestortes and Estany Sant Maurici National Park had particular weight to receive this distinction.
