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The Ventosa i Calvell refuge above the Estany Negre lake, with the Besiberri ridge behind

Val d'Aran and Alta Ribagorça · Adventure and Nature

Molières–Besiberris High Route: a 6-stage trek

Six circular stages from Vielha, with three 3,000-metre peaks within easy reach: Molières, Besiberri Sud and Punta Alta de Comalesbienes.

  • CategoryAdventure and Nature
  • LevelAdvanced
  • Duration7 days, 6 nights in mountain refuges
  • From€289 per person
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5.0· 76 Google reviews
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  • 6 circular stages from Vielha, 86 km and more than 8,000 m of cumulative elevation gain.
  • Five different overnight stops: Artiga de Lin, Conangles, Caldes de Boí, Ventosa i Calvell and Restanca.
  • The option to climb three 3,000-metre peaks: Molières, Besiberri Sud and Punta Alta de Comalesbienes.
  • A full week in the high Pyrenees, without repeating a single stretch of trail.

Activity overview

Six stages, five refuges, three optional 3,000-metre peaks

The Molières-Besiberris High Route (Alta Ruta Molières-Besiberris) is the great circular trek of the Val d'Aran and the Alta Ribagorça: a whole week from refuge to refuge, with the chance to add up to three summits over 3,000 metres without leaving the itinerary. With an Ecotour mountain leader for all six days.

From €995 per person (€1,070 last minute) for a group of 4-8 people, with guide, insurance and half board in the 6 refuges included. Packed lunches and transport are not included; confirmed on request depending on dates and the actual group size.

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The Besiberri massif seen from the Estany Negre, beside the Ventosa i Calvell refuge
  • AreaVal d'Aran and Alta Ribagorça
  • Duration7 days, 6 nights in mountain refuges
  • GuideEcotour mountain leader
  • Group size4-8 people
  • EcosystemsHigh Pyrenees, granite valleys

Route at a glance

16.4 km, +1,585 mStage 2: Artiga de Lin to Conangles
14 km, +1,570 mStage 3: Conangles to Caldes de Boí
11.7 km, +1,700 mStage 4: Caldes de Boí to Ventosa i Calvell
19.4 km, -2,085 mStage 6: Restanca to Vielha

Reading the landscape

Val d'Aran and Alta Ribagorça: the landscape up close

Geology, Wildlife, Plants and Heritage: a closer look at the setting of this activity. Documentary images of species or places not taken at the exact point of the route are shown for reference only, and sightings are not guaranteed.

The Molières valley, reference image (geology)
The Molières valleyGranite intruded more than 300 million years ago, with glacial lakes dotted all along stage 2.
The Estany Negre, reference image (geology)
The Estany NegreA glacial lake at the foot of the Besiberri massif, beside the Ventosa i Calvell refuge.
Cavallers reservoir, reference image (geology)
Cavallers reservoirA landmark on the Vall de Boí side, close to the central stages.
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GeologyUpper Carboniferous granite · the Molières and Besiberri valleys
View the documentary source ↗
Pyrenean chamois (isard), reference image (wildlife)
Pyrenean chamois (isard)Rupicapra pyrenaica pyrenaica · a regular sight on the rocky slopes of all six stages.
Bearded vulture, reference image (wildlife)
Bearded vultureGypaetus barbatus · a large, protected bird of prey found in the massifs of the Val d'Aran and the Alta Ribagorça.
Alpine marmot, reference image (wildlife)
Alpine marmotMarmota marmota · common in the high mountain pastures along the whole route.
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WildlifeHigh Pyrenees · sightings not guaranteed
View the documentary source ↗
Mountain pine, reference image (plants)
Mountain pinePinus uncinata · the conifer forest you walk through at the start and end of several stages, before entering high-mountain terrain.
Moss campion, reference image (plants)
Moss campionSilene acaulis · a cushion plant of rocky ground, found on the highest sections of all six stages.
01 / 02
PlantsHigh-mountain flora, Val d'Aran and Alta Ribagorça
View the documentary source ↗
Refugi Ventosa i Calvell, reference image (heritage)
Refugi Ventosa i CalvellA staffed refuge at 2,220 m, in the heart of the Besiberri massif, and a key overnight stop on the trek.
Refugi de la Restanca, reference image (heritage)
Refugi de la RestancaA mountain refuge at 2,010 m beside its own reservoir, one of the five refuges linked by the trek.
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HeritageThe refuges of the Molières-Besiberris High Route
View the documentary source ↗

Local photos: Ecotour archive. Documentary images: free-licence image banks or Wikimedia Commons, used under licence or with permission. The species and features shown are documented in the area, but seeing them during the activity is not guaranteed.

Before you book

Is this trek for you?

This is the big trek in our catalogue: designed for people who have already done multi-day treks and want a full week in the high mountains.

Great fit

You'll love it if…

  • You have already done hut-to-hut treks of 3 days or more and want to step up a level.
  • You are looking for a whole week in the high mountains without repeating a stretch of trail.
  • You would like to combine the trek with the optional ascent of one or more 3,000-metre peaks.
  • You are fit enough to string together six days of sustained ascent.
Worth a second look

It might not be for you if…

  • It would be your first multi-day trek: start with a shorter route, such as the Aneto Circuit or Vallibierna.
  • You have no scrambling experience but want to include the optional ascents of Besiberri.
  • You are looking for a short itinerary: this is the longest and most demanding trek in our catalogue.

Private group

A private guide for your group

The activity is reserved exclusively for your group. The total price is split between participants, so the more of you there are, the less each person pays, with no change to the route, the attention you get or the guide's judgement.

Molières–Besiberris High Route: a 6-stage trekPrice per person
Group of 4-8 peopleBest price
Per person, early booking; half board in the refuges includedGroup total: €NaN

The deposit to confirm your date is €100 and is deducted from the total. Before you pay, you'll receive the change and cancellation conditions in writing.

Ask about dates and availability

Before confirming, we go over your experience, fitness and kit with you.

Javier Gil
AEGM / UIMLA-qualified mountain leader · Ecotour Experiences

Who'll be with you on this activity

Javier Gil

Six days on the trail are not managed like six separate hikes: you have to pace the group's effort from day one, knowing that the stage with the most climbing may come right in the middle of the week.

Each morning the Ecotour guide assesses whether the optional summits (Molières, Besiberri Sud, Comalesbienes) make sense on that particular day, without forcing the plan on paper if the group or the weather are not up to it.

  • AEGM / UIMLA-qualified mountain leader

The activity at a glance

Day 1
Vielha: the starting pointVielha
Day 2
Stage 1: Vielha to the Artiga de Lin refugeArtiga de Lin refuge
Day 3
Stage 2: Artiga de Lin to the Conangles refugeConangles refuge
Day 4
Stage 3: Conangles to the Caldes de Boí spaCaldes de Boí spa
Day 5
Stage 4: Caldes de Boí to the Ventosa i Calvell refugeVentosa i Calvell refuge
Day 6
Stage 5: Ventosa i Calvell to the Restanca refugeRestanca refuge
Day 7
Stage 6: Restanca to Vielha

Detailed itinerary

The activity, day by day

Vielha: the starting point

DAY 1

Vielha: the starting point

  • Vielha
  • Not included

Arrival in Vielha, capital of the Val d'Aran and the start and finish of the circular trek. Kit check and briefing with the guide before setting off.

Stage 1: Vielha to the Artiga de Lin refuge

DAY 2

Stage 1: Vielha to the Artiga de Lin refuge

  • Artiga de Lin refuge
  • Dinner and breakfast at the refuge (included in the price)

The first day of the trek, heading up the protected valley of the Artiga de Lin to the refuge of the same name, the gateway to the Molières massif.

Stage 2: Artiga de Lin to the Conangles refuge

DAY 3

Stage 2: Artiga de Lin to the Conangles refuge

  • Conangles refuge
  • Dinner and breakfast at the refuge (included in the price)

16.4 km and around 1,585 m of elevation gain through the granite valley of Molières, with the option of climbing Molières (3,010 m) depending on how the group is feeling and the conditions.

Stage 3: Conangles to the Caldes de Boí spa

DAY 4

Stage 3: Conangles to the Caldes de Boí spa

  • Caldes de Boí spa
  • Dinner and breakfast (included in the price)

14 km and around 1,570 m of elevation gain, with the option of climbing Besiberri Sud (3,023 m) as an extension to the day.

Stage 4: Caldes de Boí to the Ventosa i Calvell refuge

DAY 5

Stage 4: Caldes de Boí to the Ventosa i Calvell refuge

  • Ventosa i Calvell refuge
  • Dinner and breakfast at the refuge (included in the price)

11.7 km and around 1,700 m of elevation gain, the stage with the most climbing of the whole week, up to the refuge at 2,214 metres beside the Estany Negre.

Stage 5: Ventosa i Calvell to the Restanca refuge

DAY 6

Stage 5: Ventosa i Calvell to the Restanca refuge

  • Restanca refuge
  • Dinner and breakfast at the refuge (included in the price)

The shortest stage, 5.2 km, with the option of climbing Besiberri Nord before dropping down to the Restanca refuge, beside its reservoir.

Stage 6: Restanca to Vielha

DAY 7

Stage 6: Restanca to Vielha

  • Breakfast at the refuge; packed lunch for the day (not included)

The loop closes: 19.4 km with more than 2,000 m of descent back to Vielha, the longest stage of the week in walking time.

Activity highlights

What makes this one special

The Conangles refuge

The Conangles refuge

The second night of the trek, at 1,555 metres, the gateway to the granite valley of Molières.

  • 1,555 m altitude
  • Gateway to the Molières valley
The Besiberri massif

The Besiberri massif

With its three summits over 3,000 metres, visible from the Ventosa i Calvell refuge, beside the Estany Negre.

  • Three summits over 3,000 m
  • Optional ascent
The Ventosa i Calvell refuge

The Ventosa i Calvell refuge

At 2,214 metres, with the Agulles de Travessani and the Besiberri massif almost close enough to touch.

  • 2,214 m altitude
  • Direct views of Besiberri
The Molières valley

The Molières valley

Granite and glacial lakes on one of the most photogenic stages of the whole trek.

  • Granite landscape
  • Glacial lakes

Included

  • With you for all six days of the trek.

    Ecotour mountain leader

  • When bookings open, the planned price will include managing the trek's refuges on a half-board basis.

    Booking management at the 5 refuges

  • Six nights with dinner and breakfast, included in the price.

    Half board in the refuges

  • Included for the whole trek.

    Accident and third-party liability insurance

  • A private group of travellers for sharing routes, photos and upcoming departures.

    Access to the Ecotour Explorers community

  • Included in the activity.

    Public liability and accident insurance

Not included

  • To the meeting point in Vielha.

    Transport

  • Food and drink for each day, apart from what the refuges themselves provide.

    Daily packed lunches

  • Harness, helmet and scrambling gear for Besiberri, if you decide to add the extension.

    Technical gear for the optional ascents

Additional information

  • Meeting point

    In Vielha, capital of the Val d'Aran, the start and finish of the circular trek.

  • Price and group

    From €995 per person with early booking (€1,070 last minute), with half board in the 6 refuges included, for a group of 4 to 8 people with an Ecotour mountain leader.

  • Optional ascents

    Molières, Besiberri Sud and Punta Alta de Comalesbienes can be added to the trek depending on the group, fitness and each day's conditions.

  • Before you book

    We go over your real experience of multi-day treks and your fitness with you, so we can confirm your place with confidence.

Before you set off

What to bring

Hiking boots

Trekking boots

Mountain boots that are already broken in, essential for six consecutive days of ascent and descent.

Warm layers and waterproofs for rain and wind

Layered clothing

A full layering system: the trek crosses passes above 2,500 metres on several days in a row.

Folding chair and blanket for comfortable stargazing

Sleeping bag liner

Standard and sometimes compulsory in the mountain refuges on the trek.

Trekking rucksack with poles, ready to go

Trekking rucksack

40-50 litres, with your personal gear for the whole week.

Once your date is confirmed, you'll receive the final kit list, adapted to the forecast and ground conditions.

Caring for the environment

Good practice

In the mountains

  • You carry out all your rubbish, including food waste, throughout the six days of the trek.
  • You watch wildlife from a distance, without approaching or feeding it.
  • You do not pick plants or take stones or anything else from the environment.

At the refuge

  • You respect quiet hours in each of the five refuges.
  • You use water sensibly: in high-mountain refuges it is a limited resource.
  • You follow each refuge's own rules on footwear, lockers and the dining room.

Frequently asked questions

What people ask us

01Do I have to climb all three summits to do the trek?

No, they are optional extensions. The trek itself (6 circular stages) involves no climbing; the ascents of Molières, Besiberri Sud or Comalesbienes are assessed day by day according to the group and the conditions.

02Is it suitable for my first multi-day trek?

We do not recommend it as a first experience: it is the longest and most demanding trek in our catalogue, with 6 consecutive days and more than 8,000 m of cumulative elevation gain. For a first trek, the Aneto Circuit (3 days) or Vallibierna (2 days) is a better choice.

03How much does the full week cost?

From €995 per person with early booking (€1,070 for last-minute bookings) for a group of 4 to 8 people. It includes a mountain leader for all six days, insurance and the 6 nights in refuges on half board. It does not include transport to Vielha or packed lunches.

04When can I do it?

From July to September, the window that gives the best chance of the snow having melted on all the passes of the trek.

05How many people are needed to confirm the departure?

It is organised for a group of 4 to 8 people with a mountain leader; outside that range, get in touch and we will look at a tailor-made trip.

06Do I need to reach all three summits to complete the trek?

It is not compulsory: the 6-stage circuit is completed without having to summit Molières, Besiberri Sud or Comalesbienes. They are extensions assessed day by day according to the group.

Gallery

Moments from the activity

Reviews

What people who have done our activities say

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  • Rut V2 weeks ago

    Red deer rut

    A wonderful experience in a luxury setting. We got in touch with Javi after finding him online and it was a great decision. He's a young guy, passionate about his work and about nature, and it shows. He explained so many things about the rut and the surroundings, and brought samples to show us how animals are tracked, always with respect and without disturbing their habitat. He also took loads of souvenir photos, both of us and of the animals, which we really appreciated. I loved the equipment he uses: he has a screen that attaches to the camera, so we could all enjoy the views without needing telescopes. Thank you so much, Javi, for the experience. You're a truly lovely person.

    ★★★★★

  • M. Villar (Proska)2 weeks ago

    Red deer rut

    Without a doubt an unforgettable experience. Several companies offer the rut, but not like this one: his knowledge of the subject, together with the technology he uses, guarantees a complete outing and lets you enjoy the activity to the fullest. 100% recommended

    ★★★★★

  • Loisian2 weeks ago

    Red deer rut

    We can only thank Javi for our outing: the day before the weather was awful and he advised us to postpone it, so we wouldn't climb up and not see the rut. The next day was wonderful, the views beautiful, and thanks to his experience and his technology we could see everything as if we were at the cinema. If we come back, we'll do it again. 100% recommended

    ★★★★★

  • Juanma Ferrer Navarro4 weeks ago

    Red deer rut

    A really good person who knows the Val d'Aran very well. We had a great morning listening to and watching the rut with Javier, who will be your guide. On top of that, you learn a lot about the local flora and fauna of Aran.

    ★★★★★

  • sonia Jiménez2 months ago

    Rafting

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐ An unforgettable week in the Val d'Aran with Ecotour (Javi) We've just spent a week's holiday in the Val d'Aran organised by Ecotour, and we couldn't be happier with the experience. The days were full of adventure, nature, excitement and fun. We'd especially like to highlight Javi, who was much more than a guide. His huge knowledge of the area, the wildlife, the plants and the history of the valley gave every activity extra value. You can tell he's a true nature lover and knows how to pass that passion on to the people with him. During the week we did e-bike rides, rafting, canyoning, a spectacular trek in Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park with the climb up to Portarró, and we also visited some of the prettiest villages in the Val d'Aran. One of the most special moments was being able to see such emblematic species as the Apollo butterfly, a protected species that is increasingly hard to find. If we had to find a "but", it would only be the rafting, which surprised us least compared with the rest. Even so, we enjoyed the whole experience a lot. We'd also like to thank Javi for his great tips on where to eat in Vielha. He recommended restaurants with excellent value for money, where we could enjoy the valley's food without spending more than we needed to. All in all, a totally recommended experience for anyone who wants to discover the Val d'Aran in a different, active and authentic way. Thank you, Javi, for making this holiday such a special memory. We'll definitely be back!

    ★★★★★

  • PAU RODRIGO9 months ago

    Snowshoeing

    Excellent experience with Javi on a snowshoe route. Vast knowledge about everything to do with the mountains. Going with him guarantees you'll enjoy your adventure 200% and come back with a smile. He works really hard. The best guide I've ever met. See you soon, Javi. Take care 👋👋👋

    ★★★★★

  • Jose Manuel Luque Rodriguez11 months ago

    Snowshoeing

    More than a guide, a friend!! His level of knowledge about the mountains, snow, animals and everything related to the mountains is exceptional. My experience with him on snowshoes: 15 out of 10!! A professional and one of those people who only give... Personally, I didn't meet a guide, I made a friend. Professionally... one of a kind... I'd always recommend him, and I already do. A hug, Javi.

    ★★★★★

  • José Luis Durán12 months ago

    Red deer rut

    With Ecotour we did two organised rut outings last September. Although in the morning we didn't manage to see any deer (because, unfortunately, the wild boar hunt was on), the experience, both the trekking + observation outing and the afternoon observation, was great. Javier is a great professional who radiates friendliness and passion for his work, and he passes that on in everything he explains. I think we couldn't have found a better guide. A completely recommended experience with him. To repeat another year!

    ★★★★★

  • Joan Palomer12 months ago

    Red deer rut

    We went to see the rut with two little girls, and with Javi it was great fun and he was very attentive. For our next outing in the area, we'll definitely hire him.

    ★★★★★

  • Montse Coca1 year ago

    Red deer rut

    A great afternoon: Javi took us to an area where we could see and hear the rut, treated us to a small snack of local produce and told us about the life of the deer, the differences between antlers… You can tell he's passionate about his work. Thanks to the camera and lens he uses we could see them really well and watch their behaviour during the mating season. A great experience, highly recommended.

    ★★★★★

  • Antonio disa1 year ago

    Red deer rut

    We did an outing to look for deer and listen to the rut. Javi is a very good guide, a person with a huge knowledge of the mountains and a great photography enthusiast. An experience to repeat.

    ★★★★★

  • Carlos N1 year ago

    Snowshoeing

    We did a snowshoe route and the experience was heartwarming. Javi as a guide doesn't just pass on his love of the mountains, he teaches you to love and understand them; on top of that he's one of the group, he's your friend and he cares about every single person in it.

    ★★★★★

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