2-Day Tours from Cal Jan – Donkey Trekking in the Pyrenees
From our base at Cal Jan, unforgettable adventures await in the heart of the Pyrenees. Whether you head out with a tent and sleep under the stars or prefer the comfort of a cozy mountain hut, your journey begins with a donkey by your side and leads you deep into landscapes that offer silence, beauty, and a true connection with nature.
Type of accompaniment
Difficulty level
Overnight stay
Season of the year
Price
Please see the Prices section on our website for donkey rental rates, where you will also find information about how the routes are organized.
Route detail
Freedom in the High Mountains
For those seeking true wilderness and freedom, the tent option is ideal. You set the pace, choose your own campsite, and travel in harmony with the rhythm of nature.
A stunning destination for a wild overnight stay is Montmalús Lake in Andorra – about 10 km and 800 meters of elevation gain from Cal Jan. At over 2,400 meters, the lake lies crystal-clear and still, surrounded by rock and sky. It’s a place to breathe deeply and feel the vastness around you.
If you’re looking for a gentler option, you can hike to the Esparvers shepherd’s hut or into the serene Vallcivera valley. Along the way, babbling brooks cross lush alpine meadows, perfect for long, peaceful breaks.
With a bit of luck, you might spot marmots darting between rocks, herds of cows grazing calmly in the pastures, or chamois scaling distant cliffs – quiet witnesses of this unspoiled wilderness.
Comfort in the Mountains
For those who prefer more comfort or are hiking with children, the hut option is a wonderful choice.
An easier loop leads to the Refugi Cap de Rec, about 9km with just 300 meters of elevation gain. The trail winds through fragrant pine forests and across alpine meadows, opening up to breathtaking views of the Cadí mountain range, its rugged limestone peaks towering over the valley. This is the perfect route for families or first-time donkey trekkers.
For experienced donkey hikers, the climb to Refugi de l’Illa is a spectacular option. At 2,480 meters, it’s one of Andorra’s highest mountain huts. The route is around 10 km with 1,000 meters of elevation gain – a rewarding challenge that takes you far from the bustle of everyday life.
The trail leads past roaring mountain streams and winds through the Madriu Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where nature feels vast and untouched.
As you near the hut, the landscape opens into a dramatic high-mountain plateau with shimmering alpine lakes nestled between granite boulders. In the soft light of dusk, you might glimpse a chamois watching from a distance or hear the call of a marmot echoing across the slopes.
Here, above the treeline, the air is crisp, the silence deep – and the sense of awe unforgettable.
Relevant information
Overnight Options
In addition to the unstaffed mountain huts, you can also camp along the route. The unstaffed huts cannot be reserved in advance. The trek can either be completed entirely with tent overnights or in staffed mountain huts.
Food & Supplies
There are no shops along the route, so you will need to carry most of your food with you. In the staffed huts, meals are available.
Equipment
If you make the camping option, you must bring your own camping or bivouac gear. Overnight spots are located between 1,500 and 2,500 meters above sea level. Nights can be very cold depending on the weather, so a warm sleeping bag, sturdy hiking boots, and waterproof, high-mountain-ready clothing are highly recommended!
Water & Weather
There are many natural water sources (rivers) along the way, but we recommend bringing a water filter or purification tablets if you stay overnight in tent.
It is essential to check the weather conditions before and during your trek!
Maps & Orientation
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Editorial Alpina, Cerdanya, 1:50,000
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Mapa topogràfic de Catalunya, Vall de la Llosa (No. 55), 1:25,000
Dogs
Dogs are welcome on the trek; however, they are not allowed to sleep in the dormitory rooms of the staffed huts.
Accommodation reservation:
Refugi Cap de Rec
1 night
Refugi de l'Illa
1 night