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.
Starting point
Cal Jan de la Llosa – 25726 Viliella
Cal Jan de la Llosa is a Masia (farmhouse) approximately 3 km from the small village Viliella . The house owners offer hikers the opportunity to camp with their own or rented tent in the meadow. But infrastructure is not available! You must organize yourself totally. The cost for the night in the tent is 15 € per night, per tent.
The next accommodation is located in the village of Lles de Cerdanya. If you arrive with public transport and don’t have a tent, we recommend to stay the night before in the valley(Bellver de Cerdanya or Martinet) and drive up directly with a Taxi the day of the donkeyhike.
How to arrive by public transport: By train from Perpignan or Barcelona (RENFE) to Puigcerdà and then by bus (Alsa or Horarios) to Martinet. From Martinet by taxi to Cal Jan de la Llosa.
Or direct bus from Barcelona or Girona, first to Puigcerdà or direct to Martinet(depending on the connection).
Taxi Sala: 0034 973 515 054 / 0034 646 331 744
How to arrive by car:
From the coast (Perpignan, Figueres, Girona, Barcelona) first towards Andorra. But before Andorra, 25km after Puigcerda on the N260 in Prullans or Martinet turn towards Lles de Cerdanya.
On LV-4036 about 10 km to Lles then continue to Viliella
In Viliella 3 km gravel road to Cal Jan de la Llosa.
Please drive to Viliella and from there to Cal Jan, Google maps etc. sometimes give the wrong information!
Parking at the farm (parking charge 4 € / d)
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