on foot
The Carrilet
Starting point: Estany de Gento
End point: Water chamber of the Estany
Distance: 12.4 km
Eslevation gain: 85 m
The route
The route is located at the gates of the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, in the northernmost part of the Geopark. The itinerary connects Estany Gento with the water chamber of the Capdella hydroelectric power plant.
The Carrilet is an old railway line that began operating in 1911 to transport workers and materials needed for the construction of the Capdella hydroelectric complex. The current path blends geology, history, and high-mountain landscapes, offering an excellent panoramic view of the valley floor, while showcasing a landscape sculpted by glaciers.
Today, the route has been transformed into a greenway, allowing for walks through spectacular landscapes, starting and ending at the upper station of the Vall Fosca cable car.
What not to miss along the route
- Vall Fosca cable car
- Glacial cirques:The glacial cirques in the area are amphitheater-shaped valleys, formed by the erosion of glaciers that occupied this landscape during the last million years. These formations highlight the power of glaciers in shaping the land over time.
- Parc Nacional d’Aigüestortes i estany de Sant Maurici
- Refugi de Colomina: Located on the shore of Estany de Colomina, this spot was once home to Swiss engineer Keller, who oversaw the hydroelectric project in the area. Today, it is an idyllic location for hikers.
- The oldest rocks: The color contrast in the landscape shows the contact between dark rocks, 500 million years old, and light-colored granites.
You can find this route on page number 42-44
of the Geoparc Orígens tourist guide.