Madriu Valley Refuges: Overnight Walks and Planning

An overnight walk in Madriu-Perafita-Claror depends on more than finding a refuge symbol on the map. The five shelters within the protected valley differ in altitude, location, capacity and whether they are staffed; four more lie in the surrounding buffer zone. Their names connect a network, but they do not make every overnight combination equally short, open or easy to reach. A sensible plan begins with the shelter’s actual operating model, then works backwards through the route, season, supplies and exit.^S001^S002

The key distinction is between the guarded Refugi de l’Illa and the unmanned shelters at Fontverd, Riu dels Orris, Perafita and Claror. The valley authority describes all five as open year-round, but the l’Illa operator publishes seasonal closure periods for its staffed service. The Government also says that free refuges are generally open throughout the year while maintenance is carried out only in summer. “Open” therefore does not mean staffed, stocked, reservable, maintained or guaranteed to have space. For an overnight in the mountains, those differences change what you must carry and how much uncertainty the plan can tolerate.^S001^S003

Use an overnight refuge as a waypoint in a fully connected itinerary, not as an endpoint that solves every logistics problem. A return to the same trailhead, a traverse to another parish, and an out-and-back from a high road are different trips. The management body’s own route sheets include circular routes, high passes and traverses; at least one is explicitly described as requiring two vehicles. Confirm how the walk ends before reserving accommodation or leaving a car. No refuge provides a road pick-up from within the pedestrian-only protected landscape.^S004^S005

What the refuge network offers—and what it does not

The Madriu refuge system was built for walkers moving through a demanding cultural landscape. Five refuges sit within the UNESCO property: Fontverd, Riu dels Orris, Perafita, Claror and l’Illa. In the buffer zone are Prat Primer, les Àgols, Ensagents and Montmalús. The management authority lists other shelters elsewhere in Andorra too; those are not part of this valley’s own network simply because they appear on the same national map. Choose the overnight point from the specific route you intend to walk, not from a country-wide refuge list.^S001^S006

Four shelters in the valley are described as unmanned. Their published facilities are basic: fireplace, table and benches, with water described as nearby at Fontverd and with details varying at each shelter. Riu dels Orris and Perafita are each listed at around ten people; Claror around twenty; Fontverd around fourteen. The same refuge page’s national capacity table gives broader ranges for some of these shelters—for example, 15–20 for Fontverd and 15–20 for Claror—so capacity figures are not perfectly consistent even within the authority’s public information. Treat every capacity as approximate, do not infer a reserved bed, and do not plan for a group that would overwhelm a small shelter if other walkers arrive.^S001

Refugi de l’Illa is the one guarded refuge inside the protected valley. The authority lists it at 2,488 metres beside Estany de l’Illa, with around 60 places overall—50 in the guarded section and ten in an unmanned portion. Its operator’s website offers reservations and services such as meals, picnic provisions and a self-catering space. These are operator-managed services rather than features of the other four valley refuges. A reservation request is subject to approval and availability; an online calendar or open date is not proof that a particular bed, meal or dietary request has been confirmed.^S001^S007^S008

Refuges are not hotels scattered along a marked promenade. An unmanned shelter may offer a roof and simple communal facilities, but the Government notes that general maintenance and cleaning are carried out only during summer. Carry the food, water-treatment method, sleeping equipment, warm layers, lighting and first-aid supplies appropriate to your route and conditions; do not assume that a fireplace will be usable, that fuel will be present or that water is safe to drink untreated. The refuge authority’s descriptions are inventory information, not an inspection report for the night you arrive.^S003^S009

Five refuges inside the valley

Fontverd: a lower Madriu stop, not a guaranteed first-night bed

Fontverd stands at 1,880 metres in the Madriu valley, north of the Maiana peak and below the crest connecting the Agols peak with Tossa de Braibal. The management body describes a capacity of about fourteen, an open fireplace, table and benches, with water nearby. Its location makes it a natural point on routes through the middle valley: the Madriu Huts Itinerary passes the refuge and nearby pastoral structures before continuing towards the forge and upper valley.^S001^S010

That position can make Fontverd useful for dividing a longer route, but it does not make it an easy overnight for every approach. From Escaldes, the ascent and distance to the refuge are part of the day; from other trailheads, a route may involve high passes or a traverse. There is no road access for supplies or a vehicle return. Check the current map, ascent, total time and exit before deciding that the refuge is a suitable first night. “Water nearby” is not the same as a tested drinking-water supply, and “open all year” is not a promise that the shelter will be clean, empty or fully usable after winter weather.^S001^S005

The location also explains why a refuge stop can deepen the visit to the landscape. Fontverd is associated with historic huts from different periods and a wet area; it is a place where the living pastoral terrain is visible around the modern hiking shelter. Respect marked paths, livestock and private land. An overnight stop does not grant permission to explore sensitive ground or enter old buildings.^S010^S009

Riu dels Orris: near Pla de l’Ingla and the upper valley routes

Riu dels Orris is listed at 2,230 metres on the bank of the Orris stream, south-east of Pla de l’Ingla and near the Setut hut. The authority describes a fireplace, table, benches and a porch for firewood, with a capacity of about ten; its national table gives a wider range of six to ten. The difference is a practical reason to regard capacity as approximate rather than a booking count. Nearby place-names also matter: the shelter is not the same thing as the Setut hut, and reaching one does not prove that the next connection is straightforward.^S001

The Huts Itinerary from Engolasters reaches Pla de l’Ingla as its outward endpoint after about three and a half hours of walking, then returns to the same general start area for a published total of about six and a half hours, excluding breaks and visits. The document mentions Riu dels Orris as a way to divide the outing across two days. That is an itinerary option, not a guarantee of available sleeping space or a recommendation to begin late. A party using the refuge should verify its location and route access on the current map, carry the equipment needed for an unmanned stay and preserve a complete exit plan for the following day.^S010^S011

At this altitude, weather and daylight can affect the next day’s route even when the first day goes to plan. Decide whether to retrace to Engolasters, continue on a verified traverse or use a different exit only after establishing the actual junctions and return transport. A refuge is a resting point; it does not erase the distance to a bus stop, car park or valley exit.^S005^S006

Perafita: a separate valley and a high connection

Perafita refuge lies at about 2,200 metres near Estany de la Nou and west of Collada de la Maiana. The authority lists an unmanned shelter with an open fireplace, table, benches and porch for firewood, and around ten places. Its position ties the Perafita valley to the Maiana area and to routes leading towards Claror and the southern approaches. It is a different destination from Fontverd: the refuges lie in separate branches, and a night in one does not create a short, level walk to the other.^S001^S012

The management body’s Itinerary 2 links the Madriu, Collada de la Maiana and Perafita in a circular route. It is graded III and lists 1,194 metres of drop. The route sequence includes Fontverd, the forge area, Estall Serrer, the Maiana pass and Perafita before returning towards La Plana. The page calls for a minimum physical condition and warns that its route graphic is approximate. Those details are useful for understanding the scale of the loop; they are not enough to plan a safe overnight version without checking full distances, elevation profile, junctions, likely walking time and current conditions.^S012

If using Perafita as an overnight point, avoid treating a lake or pass as a shortcut between unrelated routes. Confirm whether the planned line approaches from the Madriu side, the Sant Julià side or another connection, and how it continues the following morning. The authority does not describe a staffed service, meals or guaranteed supplies at Perafita. Carry what an unmanned refuge requires, and have a fallback in case the shelter is occupied or unsuitable on arrival.^S001^S005

Claror: southern high ground and a larger listed capacity

Claror refuge sits at about 2,280 metres near Basses Roges on the north slope of Pic Negre. The refuge page describes an unmanned shelter with fireplace, table and benches and a capacity around twenty. It belongs to the southern part of the protected landscape, where access from Andorra la Vella or Sant Julià involves the Prat Primer and high-pass network. The location may fit a traverse or a longer southern circuit; it should not be mistaken for a low-elevation extension to the La Comella picnic area.^S001

Claror’s listed capacity is larger than Perafita’s or Riu dels Orris’, but it remains an approximate maximum, not a reservation system. The open refuge model means that other parties may arrive and space may be shared. Plan to be self-sufficient and considerate: keep noise low, use only appropriate facilities, leave the shelter clean and make room for other users. The Government’s refuge-use rules emphasise public use and leaving the shelter as you would wish to find it.^S001^S009

Routes in this sector meet paths from Prat Primer, Pic Negre, Perafita and other southern access points. A map junction does not guarantee that the terrain, daylight or transport works for your itinerary. Confirm the proposed circuit end-to-end. If the plan relies on finishing at a different parish from its start, arrange transport independently; the protected property is pedestrian-only and has no internal road transfer.^S004^S005

l’Illa: guarded beds, meals and seasonal service

At 2,488 metres beside Estany de l’Illa, this is the highest of the five valley refuges described by the management authority and the only one with a guarded service. The lake, refuge and surrounding ridges make l’Illa a natural waypoint on routes from Cortals, Agols, Pessons and the higher GR network. Its position also means that an overnight requires a genuine mountain approach, not a short walk from a nearby road. Choose a route whose start, ascent, weather exposure and return are appropriate for the party.^S001^S004

The refuge authority lists about 60 places, divided between fifty guarded places and a ten-place unmanned section. Its operator provides a booking channel and seasonal information. The services page lists summer opening from the first weekend of June to 1 November and winter opening from 1 December to 1 May; the booking page says the refuge is closed from 1 May to 1 June and from 1 November to 1 December. These dates leave shoulder-season periods when the guarded offer is unavailable. The valley management page, by contrast, labels l’Illa open year-round. For trip planning, rely on the operator’s date-specific confirmation of the staffed service, and ask explicitly whether any unmanned area is accessible during a staffed closure before building a route around it.^S001^S007^S008

The operator publishes meal and arrival times: breakfast 07:00–08:00, lunch 13:00–15:00, dinner at 19:30, quiet from 22:00 and staff presence from 07:00 to 22:00. It recommends arriving at least an hour before dinner for accommodation, with rooms vacated by 09:00. These are useful constraints for a booked stay, not universal mountain arrival targets; check the live operator page when reserving because services and terms can change. The site also lists dietary meals by advance request, picnic provision, a self-cooking area, dehydrated food sales and rental sheet sleeping bags. Do not assume any special meal or equipment is arranged until the operator confirms it.^S007

Booking requests are subject to approval and availability. The operator asks for advance notice for some dietary meals and picnic orders, and its tariff page describes a deposit. Read the current cancellation and deposit terms before paying. Save the confirmation and the refuge’s contact details offline. If the group cannot reach l’Illa by the planned arrival time, do not assume that a late arrival will be accommodated simply because a reservation exists; contact the operator and follow its instructions.^S008^S013

Shelters around the buffer zone

Four nearby refuges can serve as route points, but they are in the buffer zone rather than inside the UNESCO property: Prat Primer, les Àgols, Ensagents and Montmalús. They can matter to overnight planning because the approaches from Andorra la Vella and Encamp reach them before entering or crossing the protected valley. Their location and facilities need to be verified from the authority’s current information; do not count one of these as a fifth refuge within the valley proper or assume that it has a guarded service.^S001^S006

Prat Primer is at about 2,235 metres near Collada de Prat Primer and west of Coll Pa; it is described as unmanned, open all year and suitable for around ten. It sits on the Andorra la Vella approach to Claror, where the access path climbs from the Comella picnic area. This makes it a possible waypoint in a longer route, not a substitute for assessing the ascent and return from town. The public-transport description from Andorra la Vella adds about two kilometres beside the road before reaching the trail entrance.^S001^S003

Les Àgols refuge is listed around 2,230 metres beneath Cap de Montuell, beside the Agols stream, with nearby water and basic furnishings. Ensagents lies at around 2,425 metres between Estany d’Ensagents and Estany Moreno, and the authority also notes water nearby. Montmalús stands at about 2,445 metres beside the lake of the same name. Each is unmanned and listed as open year-round, but altitude and an open-year label do not mean a winter route is automatically passable or that the shelter is maintained. Check snow, access, current route markings and supplies before relying on any of them.^S001^S003

The Encamp access network can connect these buffer-zone shelters with Collada de Pessons and Refugi de l’Illa. The authority’s Itinerary 10 is a circular route from kilometre 6 on the Cortals road via Ensagents, Collada de Pessons, l’Illa and the Agols network back towards the road. It is graded IV and lists 1,062 metres of drop; its description calls it long and full and recommends experience and average physical condition. The web page’s path drawing is approximate. Those facts make it a useful example of a high-effort route linking refuges, not a casual template for a first overnight or an endorsed route for every visitor.^S014

Choose between guarded and unmanned accommodation

Choose l’Illa when you want a confirmed guarded reservation and its current services fit your route, budget and dietary needs. Confirm the actual operating dates, space, meal arrangement, arrival time, deposit and cancellation conditions directly with the operator. A guarded refuge can reduce the amount of food and cooking equipment you need to carry, but it does not remove the need for warm clothing, water, navigation, a weather plan or a safe route to the door. The approach remains a high mountain walk.^S007^S008^S013

Choose an unmanned shelter only if the group can manage without a booking, staff, meals or guaranteed space. The published furnishings are basic. Carry a sleeping system even if a shelter is listed as open, along with food and cooking arrangements that follow current rules. Do not assume that wood stacked nearby is available fuel, that a fireplace may be used in current conditions or that nearby water can be drunk untreated. The Government’s general guidance says shelter maintenance is seasonal, so the condition you find may differ from what a directory lists.^S001^S003^S009

For families or mixed-experience parties, the right choice is not simply the refuge with the most beds. Compare the full approach and next-day exit, the group’s tolerance for carrying equipment, the availability of a confirmed staffed service and the weather window. A short first day followed by a high pass the next morning can be harder than one longer same-day loop. If someone in the group would struggle to reach the refuge or continue to an exit, do not make an overnight reservation the reason to persist.^S004^S005

For a small party considering an unmanned shelter, prepare for the possibility that it is occupied. Do not assume that capacity figures guarantee a place for your group, and do not plan to displace others or improvise an unpermitted tent campsite. Identify a legal, reachable alternative before departure, and be willing to turn around while there is adequate time. In remote terrain, “we will find another shelter nearby” is not a robust contingency unless the second refuge and route have been confirmed.^S001^S015

Camping is not an automatic overflow plan

The management authority’s refuge page says that camping requires authorisation from the relevant Comú. It gives a limited threshold exception for Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany—authorisation is required there when more than three shelter tents stay longer than two nights—and states that camping is not allowed in Sant Julià de Lòria. The wording is parish-specific, and the page does not resolve every combination of party size, nights, location and tent type. Contact the relevant Comú before taking a tent as a fallback, and do not assume that the same rule applies uniformly across the property and its buffer zone.^S001^S009

Campfire rules are separate. The authority refers to specific measures under the fire regulation and says other fire-lighting cases require notifying the relevant Comú. A fireplace inside a refuge does not create permission to light a fire outdoors, and a listed fireplace should not be assumed usable during a fire restriction. Check current local rules and conditions, and carry a permitted cooking alternative if the plan depends on preparing food.^S009

The practical principle is simple: secure or verify the shelter before setting out, rather than treating camping as an improvised substitute for a full refuge. If no legal and realistic overnight arrangement is confirmed, choose a day route that returns to its starting area or postpone the overnight. This protects both the party and a fragile landscape where paths cross private ground and grazing areas.^S009

Build an itinerary around the overnight point

Begin with the day-one trailhead and day-two exit, then connect them through the refuge using the current official map. Label each leg as an out-and-back, circular itinerary or traverse. For each leg, record the main junctions, ascent or drop where published, expected walking time, refuge arrival, water plan and transport at the exit. The valley authority’s route pages provide useful sequences, grades and some elevation figures, but several route images are expressly approximate and the access pages do not give complete timing for every combination. Fill those gaps with reliable route planning, not guessed mileage.^S004^S005

An Escaldes overnight might use Fontverd or the upper valley, but the walk from the Engolasters/Circuit de les Fonts area is not equivalent to walking from the La Plana entrance. The detailed Madriu Huts Itinerary reaches Pla de l’Ingla and returns to its Engolasters start in about six and a half hours before stops; it identifies Riu dels Orris as an option for splitting a longer trip. A different route to Perafita via Collada de la Maiana is graded III and lists a 1,194-metre drop. These route figures belong to their own official itinerary descriptions; do not add them together to estimate a new overnight circuit without checking the actual map and elevation profile.^S010^S011^S012

An Encamp overnight may connect Ensagents, the Pessons area and l’Illa. The authority describes the access from the Cortals road and lists parking at the intermediate Funicamp area for an Ensagents entrance. The public-transport version adds L2, Funicamp and about six kilometres on foot before the trail. The circular Itinerary 10 is a separate high-effort option, graded IV. Confirm lift operation and the total route independently; do not use the bus access description as proof that Funicamp will operate on the chosen date or that it aligns with a refuge check-in.^S003^S014

For a southern approach, Claror and Perafita may appear close to the Naturland, Font des Traginers and Prat Primer access network, but the routes include ridges and high passes. The authority states there is no public transport from Sant Julià into the valley. A traverse starting in one parish and finishing in another requires a confirmed transfer or a deliberately planned walk back. Do not leave a car at a different endpoint on the assumption that an available local bus will connect it to the start.^S005^S006

On both days, leave time for daylight, food, slower walking and route-finding. Refuge arrival targets are not just about reaching the building: in the guarded hut, meal service has set hours; at an unmanned shelter, arriving in darkness makes it harder to assess the space, water and route ahead. Decide on a latest start for the next day based on the intended exit and current conditions. Keep enough reserve that a slower descent does not become an emergency created by a booked dinner or a parked car.^S007^S014

Supplies and refuge etiquette

Pack according to the shelter, not according to the word “refuge.” For an unmanned night, plan to sleep, cook and manage waste without staff or supplies. The authority lists tables, benches and fireplaces at the free shelters, but it does not promise mattresses, blankets, fuel, food, treated water or a clean facility. The Government lists first-aid and cleaning maintenance among services maintained only during summer. Carry personal medication, a headtorch and spare power, a suitable sleeping bag, warm layers and enough food for delays. Verify water sources and carry treatment appropriate to the route; “water nearby” is not a potable-water test.^S001^S003

At a guarded l’Illa stay, read the operator’s service details and booking terms. Meals, picnic provisions, dietary requests and certain equipment require advance coordination or an additional charge according to the current site. Bring anything that is not explicitly included in the confirmed reservation. The refuge is staffed only during the posted service window, so save the confirmation and contact information offline, and do not assume that a booking guarantees an after-hours check-in.^S007^S008

Shared mountain shelters work because visitors leave space and respect one another’s rest. The national rules say a shelter is for public use and should be left clean; arriving late, making noise near sleeping walkers or monopolising tables and benches undermines that shared purpose. Keep food secure, do not leave rubbish or burn waste, and follow any posted fire and livestock rules. If a shelter is full, use the alternative you planned rather than treating another party’s space as available.^S009

The refuge pages list fireplaces and some nearby firewood porches, but that should not be read as a blanket outdoor-fire permission. Use a fireplace only if current conditions and posted instructions allow it. Follow the relevant Comú’s current fire measures. If the authority has prohibited fire, a built hearth does not override the restriction; use a legal stove if permitted or carry food that does not require cooking.^S009

Season, closure and the limits of “open all year”

The management authority labels the five valley shelters open year-round. The Government’s national refuge page also says refuges are generally open year-round, while noting that maintenance occurs only during summer. Those statements describe access to the shelter network, not a promise that a high route is clear, the doors are usable, a refuge is clean or a staffed service is running. Winter snow, ice, short daylight and changing weather can make a route unsuitable even when the refuge itself is listed as open.^S001^S003

l’Illa requires special checking because its operator publishes a more specific seasonal calendar. The current services page says summer service runs from the first weekend of June through 1 November and winter service from 1 December through 1 May. The booking page identifies closure from 1 May to 1 June and from 1 November to 1 December, and states that reservations are subject to availability and approval. This differs in practical meaning from the authority directory’s year-round label. Before setting out in a shoulder period, ask the operator which part of the refuge is open, whether the guarded section is operating, and whether access or emergency arrangements have changed.^S007^S008

For an unmanned refuge, confirm current access and carry the full overnight kit regardless of the season label. Verify forecast, snowpack or trail notices, water availability, daylight and the route’s lower-elevation exit. The management authority’s route map and descriptions are not live condition reports. Do not infer winter suitability from an all-year shelter listing, and do not use a refuge as a reason to continue through deteriorating weather when a safer turnaround remains possible.^S004^S006

When a guide or technical support is appropriate

The valley’s ordinary hiking network includes marked local paths and GR routes, but the same map also connects high passes and demanding itineraries. A marked trail does not mean that navigation is trivial, and a route grade is not a personal skills assessment. If the planned line involves winter travel, snow-covered waymarks, exposed ridges, unfamiliar high passes or a complex traverse, seek current local advice or a qualified mountain guide. The l’Illa operator itself lists contacts with guides for summer and winter routes, including guided ascents from different starting points.^S004^S007

Use a guide when the party needs technical instruction, current terrain judgement or support choosing a route that exceeds its experience. Do not expect a guide listing or refuge reservation to guarantee that a route will operate in all weather. Agree in advance on route alternatives, equipment, cancellation policy, pace, group size and who makes the go/no-go decision. Winter travel, avalanche hazard and technical route choices require current specialist advice; general shelter information cannot replace it.^S007^S016

For a straightforward summer overnight on a well-marked itinerary, a guide may be optional for experienced walkers with suitable equipment and navigation. That is not a universal recommendation: fitness, weather, route familiarity and group needs vary. If any participant is unsure about the terrain or cannot manage the complete return, choose a simpler day walk or arrange qualified help rather than relying on a refuge to shorten an unsuitable route.^S004^S016

A practical go/no-go checklist

Before leaving accommodation, confirm the refuge name and exact location, whether it is guarded, the reservation status if applicable, opening dates, meals and arrival requirements. For a free shelter, check the current facility description, carry self-sufficient overnight equipment and plan for it to be occupied. Verify camping and fire rules with the correct Comú instead of using a tent as an assumed backup.^S001^S007^S009

Then confirm the route from start to refuge and from refuge to exit. Check that the map represents a loop or a traverse as you intend; do not infer a return from a list of connected place names. Verify parking, bus stops, lift operation and the final connection to the vehicle. Make sure the plan still works if the first transport is delayed or a seasonal service is closed. Avoid relying on exact bus times that have not been checked for the date.^S004^S005

Finally, compare the route’s total effort with the least experienced walker, review current weather and daylight, carry the appropriate clothing, food, water treatment, navigation and emergency equipment, and share the itinerary with someone who can raise concern if you do not return. If an essential link cannot be confirmed, choose a lower-risk day route or postpone. An overnight is worthwhile when it allows a slower, more considered visit to the landscape—not when the shelter turns a doubtful plan into a deadline.^S003^S009

Public Sources

^S001: Comissió de Gestió de la Vall del Madriu-Perafita-Claror, Refuges, accessed 24 September 2026. Five shelters within the valley, four in buffer zone, approximate altitudes/capacities/facilities, open-year labels and camping note. ^S002: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley, accessed 24 September 2026. Protected property identity and landscape boundaries. ^S003: Government of Andorra, Refuges in Andorra, accessed 24 September 2026. General refuge model, all-year access statement and summer-only maintenance note. ^S004: Comissió de Gestió de la Vall del Madriu-Perafita-Claror, Suggested routes, accessed 24 September 2026. Route categories and linked itineraries. ^S005: Comissió de Gestió de la Vall del Madriu-Perafita-Claror, Access and parking, accessed 24 September 2026. Parish trailheads, parking references and pedestrian-only rule. ^S006: Comissió de Gestió de la Vall del Madriu-Perafita-Claror, The valley map, accessed 24 September 2026. GR7, GR11, GRP and interconnected local trail network. ^S007: Refugi de l’Illa, Services, accessed 24 September 2026. Posted seasonal service windows, meal/quiet/staff hours, arrival/checkout guidance and additional services. Recheck before booking. ^S008: Refugi de l’Illa, Reservations, accessed 24 September 2026. Reservation-by-approval language, availability and posted seasonal closure dates; calendar is dynamic. ^S009: Government of Andorra, Basic rules for using refuges (PDF), accessed 24 September 2026. Shared-use and leave-clean expectations. Comissió de Gestió, Basic rules and tips, accessed 24 September 2026. Campsite and fire rules, marked trails, livestock and emergency contact. ^S010: Comissió de Gestió de la Vall del Madriu-Perafita-Claror, Itinerary 1: Ràmio from Font de la Closa, accessed 24 September 2026. Route sequence through Ràmio and Fontverd; route map explicitly approximate. ^S011: Comissió de Gestió de la Vall del Madriu-Perafita-Claror, Madriu Huts Itinerary (English PDF), accessed 24 September 2026. Pla de l’Ingla waypoint, total return estimate and reference to overnight division. ^S012: Comissió de Gestió de la Vall del Madriu-Perafita-Claror, Itinerary 2: Madriu–Collada de la Maiana–Perafita, accessed 24 September 2026. Circular sequence, grade III, 1,194 m drop, fitness and approximate map caveat. ^S013: Refugi de l’Illa, Tariffs, accessed 24 September 2026. Deposit and cancellation terms; confirm the current version before payment. ^S014: Comissió de Gestió de la Vall del Madriu-Perafita-Claror, Itinerary 10: Ensagents–Lake Illa from Cortals d’Encamp, accessed 24 September 2026. Circular route sequence, grade IV, stated 1,062 m drop, effort note and approximate route map. ^S015: Comissió de Gestió de la Vall del Madriu-Perafita-Claror, Access by public transport, accessed 24 September 2026. Public transport leads; exact current timetables and return connections not verified. ^S016: Refugi de l’Illa, Guided activities and services, accessed 24 September 2026. Operator-listed guide contacts and activity types; availability/credentials must be confirmed directly.