Masella offers two ways to experience the mountain: descents in the ski resort and walking trails towards La Tosa or the mines near the Niu de l’Àliga refuge. When planning, it’s worth considering the route type and starting point together. Are you looking for a ski connection, a walking trail to the summit, or a route with the mines as its destination?

Slopes on different scales

The “Familiar” ski run connects La Pleta with Pla de Masella, with a vertical drop of 420 m. At over 6 km, “Dues Estacions” is Masella’s longest ski run. It starts at the summit of La Tosa, on the eastern side of the ski resort. Familiar covers 420 vertical metres between La Pleta and Pla de Masella; Dues Estacions starts at the summit of La Tosa.

An uninterrupted descent runs from La Tosa at 2,535 m to Pla de Masella at 1,600 m, covering a vertical drop of 935 m. The descent covers 935 vertical metres, while Dues Estacions is over 6 km long.

Forest, slope orientation and panoramic views

The ski resort lies in a dense pine forest; 90 percent of its slopes face north. The forest describes the landscape, while the direction indicates the slopes’ orientation. From the summit of La Tosa, the panorama stretches across the whole of Cerdanya and much of Catalonia.

The “Camins dels Miners” trail offers a different perspective, with views of the Serra del Cadí, Penyes Altes de Moixeró, Pedraforca and Puigllançada.

Walking to La Tosa

The ascent to La Tosa starts at the Coma Oriola car park, at 1,922 m in the Masella ski resort. The route from Coma Oriola to La Tosa is considered the shortest and most direct walking trail to the summit. For the ascent on foot, Coma Oriola is the starting point; the Dues Estacions ski run, by contrast, begins at the summit. This is a useful distinction when choosing between a trail uphill and a ski run that starts at altitude. Parking and road conditions can change; check them before setting out.

Mine routes and seasonal cable car

“Camins dels Miners” is 9 km long, crosses a chairlift and the drag lifts in the Masella ski resort, and leads to mines about 200 m below the Niu de l’Àliga refuge.

To walk the “Circuito de las Minas” loop, take the seasonally operated Masella–Niu de l’Àliga cable car to the starting point by the refuge. Check cable car operations for your travel dates. The cable car takes you to the start of the “Circuito de las Minas” loop by the refuge; “Camins dels Miners” leads to mines about 200 m below the refuge. Route infrastructure and trail conditions can also change. Check current trail conditions before setting out.

Discover more destinations: La Molina.

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