The landscape around the Coma de Vaca refuge is totally devoid of trees since they cannot survive the mountain weather.

You will find a forest on the way to the refuge (from Queralbs) via the Gorgues del Freser or from Ras de Carançà refuge, but when you reach 1800 m, pastures begin. During spring and early summer, the grass is green and grows everywhere. Summer turns it yellow.

When the snow disappears and before the summer comes, the surroundings of the refuge are like a carpet of pretty flowers, such as violets, orquids, "poppies"…

In the Coma de Vaca refuge, you will enjoy observing a lot of different species.
During May and June, without moving from the dining room, you will see through the window groups of muflons. Once in a while you will observe 2 males competing for a female, attacking each other with their twisted horns.

During all the year, the chamois are everywhere (paths, summits, close to the refuge). Observe their incredible agility!
If you are lucky, you will see a fox passing silently.
When you hear acute screams, look around for marmot, because you will find them!

You will love the shiny yellow and black salamander.
Be careful: Do not step on a viper, although it will probably hear you first and hide..

You will observe different kinds of birds (crows, white partridges, hawks) but the "kings" of the area are the vultures. You will see a lot of them flying over the mountains looking for a dead animal. They are huge: 4 meters long, and when they find a dead animal they fight among themselves trying to get the best piece.

If you are very lucky, you will observe an osprey. You will distinguish it because its orange colour, and if you are really lucky, you will see it dropping bones from 50-100 meters high to break and eat them.

And of course, you will find some shepherds with their sheeps, cows, or horses.