Hiking the 7 Lakes of Colomers (Lac Major de Colomers)
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Hiking in Europe is amazing and the Pyrenees are a bucket-list destination. It might fly under the radar, but it’s a location with beauty at every point. The 7 Lakes of Colomers was the first stop on our road trip in Spain and it didn’t disappoint.
Our first stop was the town of Vielha, where two rivers converge in the center. It’s a 30-minute drive to the parking lot for the 7 Lakes of Colomers hike, which makes it a perfect place to stay.
This hike isn’t too hard but it can be a long day, especially if you opt for the longer version of this trail.
In this guide, I will go over all the information you need to know to complete this, like parking, shuttle costs, and which trail is better.
Are the 7 Lakes of Colomers Worth Hiking?
I think every hike, no matter the size, has its pros and cons. The 7 Lakes of Colomers hike is worth doing but you have to make tough decisions for your Spain itinerary.
What Makes This Hike Special?
You might not see this hike in a lot of hiking guides you find on the internet. I see that as a plus. There weren’t many people along the trail and definitely way less once you get past the refugi.
The magical part of this hike is how immersed we were in our surroundings, passing multiple lakes and seeing cows sunbathe along the trail.
Major de Colomers (Lac Major de Colomers)
Lac Major de Colomers is the largest lake you’ll see when arriving on the trail. It’s stunning with a refugi perched on its side.
This lake is the main attraction when visiting this area and it’s what a lot of people here do. They hung out around the lake and took it all in.
We decided to sit just past the refugi and eat lunch with the best view along this hike.
Multiple Routes to Choose From
There are different ways to start this or get to Lac Major. Below, I’ll go over what we did and then give another option if you want a longer hike.
2.5 Mile Start + 4.1 Mile Lake Hike with Shuttle (Our Route)
The route we chose was a combination of a few that you can do. When arriving at the parking lot, you can either take a shuttle or start a 2.5-mile hike to where the shuttle will drop you off.
We thought since it’s early in the morning, we didn’t have to pay for a shuttle and would rather knock out a quick one-mile portion.
After the first one mile, we stuck with the four-mile hike of the 7 Lakes of Colomers. This was perfect for us and I didn’t feel the need to do more.
The sun had been beating down on us all day and so we felt that we didn’t need to hike the 1.25 miles back to the parking lot.
Instead, we waited for the shuttle and paid $5 when we arrived back at the lot.
7.8 Mile Version
If four miles isn’t enough for you and you want to really dive deep into this area, then I’d suggest doing the longer 7.8-mile version of this hike.
The 7.8-mile trail starts at Lac Major and will take you deep into the wilderness all the way to Lac Gelat and then back around to the starting point.
Things You Need to Know: Logistics
How to Get There
Traveling in Europe and hiking in Europe is much different than parts of South America. We rented a car for most of our trip in Spain and I think it was the correct decision.
This gave us the freedom to do what we wanted and it helped us not have to figure out the confusing and almost non-existent public transport options to these hikes.
Parking
There’s a parking lot at the top and it is the furthest you can go if you have a car. You can’t drive all the way up to Lac Major. You either have to take a shuttle or hike.
It’s free to park here and the shuttle will cost 5 Euros each way.
Starting the 7 Lakes of Colomers hike at the parking lot wasn’t bad, as it was early in the morning and was honestly quite refreshing.
If you want to add the parking lot to your Google Maps, click the link here.
What to Pack
You’ll want different types of hiking clothes depending on the time of year that you plan to visit the Pyrenees in Spain.
Below, I’ll go over my favorite pieces of hiking gear I brought with me on this hike.
Shuttle Costs
I think the shuttle is a good option for most people, especially if you’re interested in doing more hiking around the many lakes in this area.
The Shuttle Costs:
- 5 Euros each way
You don’t have to purchase a ticket in advance if you’re unsure if you want to take a shuttle or not.
We decided at the last minute and there was enough room for us on the way back.
The taxi or shuttle runs every 15-20 minutes with a break between 1:30 and 2:30.
Offline Map
I highly suggest downloading an offline map whenever you go hiking. You never know when you’ll get lost and a lot of times there won’t be cell service.
Download this map on AllTrails if you’re interested in taking the same route as us.
Staying Near/On the Trail
There are a couple of options if you’re interested in staying at the beginning of the trail or ever on the trail (Refugi de Colomers).
Staying in mountain huts is an unbelievable experience, and if you have the opportunity, I say go for it.
Below are two options to stay near/on the 7 Lakes of Colomers trail:
To book a bed at Refugi de Colomers, book it online here.
7 Lakes of Colomers Hike Details
| Quick Stats for 7 Lakes of Colomèrs | Details |
|---|---|
| Distance | 6.6 km/4.1 miles |
| Elevation Gain | 301 m/987 feet |
| Route Type | Loop |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Best Months | March–October |
| Trail Features | Lakes, views, forest, river, wildflowers, wildlife |
| Trail Conditions | Rocky, includes some scrambling |
| Crowds | Usually busy |
| Access | Seasonal parking restrictions apply |
| Nearby Hut | Refugi Colomèrs |
My Experience Hiking the 7 Lakes of Colomers
We started the morning as we always do before a hike. Eat lots of carbs (carbo load) and pack other goodies like sandwiches for the day.
Leaving the Town of Viehla
The 30-minute drive to the parking lot to start the 7 Lakes of Colomers hike was a winding road and honestly a little bit small.
The GPS was confusing at first but after a while, we realized we were on the right track. I wasn’t sure about the parking situation and was just putting my faith in that AllTrails directions were accurate.
Hiking Instead of Taking the Shuttle
After a nice 30-minute drive, we arrived at the parking lot with plenty of spots to choose from. We arrived around 9:30, which seemed like a perfect time.
We love to save money, so naturally, we opted out of taking the shuttle up to Lac Major and instead started hiking.
There weren’t many people doing this option with us. It’s a 2.5-mile hike to where the shuttle would drop you off, but we loved it.
We had to avoid some cows and their poop but other than that, it was beautiful!
The sun was already beating down on us at this point, which helped with warming us up for the rest of the hike throughout the day.
We had some bridge crossings during these beginning sections and even a mini-waterfall!
Arriving at Lac Major de Colomers
After hiking 2.5 miles, we were then greeted by the stunning Lac Major and the Refugi in the background.
There’s a big right to sit and chill on right away if you’re looking for an immediate spot to sit down and relax.
We decided to cross the bridge, pass the Refugi and find a spot to eat lunch overlooking the lake.
Hiking Past the Seven Lakes of Colomers
The Seven Lakes of Colomers hike is unique in that it felt like we were hiking through previously unknown land. The marshes were bouncing and vibing with life.
Cows were out sunbathing (jealous) and having the time of their life.
Unfortunately, though, the first lake (Lac Major) is the largest lake we saw during this hike. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, but it was, in a way, a little bit anti-climactic.
But not every hike has to be that way and we still thoroughly enjoyed seeing all of the 7 lakes of Colomers along the trail.
Taking the Shuttle Back
As I mentioned previously, by the time we finished the 7 Lakes hike, we weren’t too keen on hiking an additional 2.5 miles back to our car.
So instead, we waited about five or ten minutes for the next taxi/shuttle to arrive. We weren’t entirely sure if we would be allowed on without a ticket but there was enough room and we were good to go.
This was a game-changer and is the same route we’d probably do if we went back. Hike the beginning 2.5 miles but then take the shuttle back.
The hike wasn’t too hard but the sun was beating down on us for multiple hours with zero shade. Sometimes that gets to you.
Where to Stay in Vielha, Spain
- Hotel Ribaeta: This is a stunning hotel at a great price, located downtown along one of the rivers.
- Hotel Aran La Abuela: Something a bit more luxurious but still at a reasonable price. The inside feels like a log cabin on steroids.
- Parador de Vielha: Looking for a hotel with a pool and a view? Then check out this hotel in Vielha!
Final Thoughts
I’d come back to just stay in Vielha again. It was stunning and had everything you needed as far as stores, bars, and restaurants. The 7 Lakes of Colomers hike was the cherry on top. It was a short drive to the trailhead but at the same time, it felt like it was further away from civilization. It’s a perfect hike for all ages and can be adjusted to your liking, which is always nice.
