Paid parking, €1.10/12 hours
Monturull ridge to Coma Extremera peak via the Madriu Valley
You have to be curious enough to venture far south of the Principality of Andorra to have heard of the Monturull peak, the Tossal Bovinar or the Colilla peak; names that are not as famous as the great peaks of the West. However, these peaks are well over 2,700 metres, even reaching 2,800 metres, and are located in eastern Catalonia.
The ridge on today's itinerary is located just south of the Principality of Andorra. It marks the southern border with Spain. The southern slope of this ridge is gentle and accessible, while the northern slope is made up of ravines and steep cliffs. Naturally, the southern route is the most popular, but I decided to tackle this journey by looping around the north. I will therefore start this loop from the Madriu Valley in Andorra.
Details
Creation:
Last update:
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Activity: Walking -
Distance: 27.52 km -
Average duration: 14h 10 -
Difficulty: Moderate -
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Back to start: Yes -
Ascent: + 2,204 m -
Descent: - 2,202 m -
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Highest point: 2,837 m -
Lowest point: 1,236 m
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Country:
Andorra
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Area: Pyrenees -
District:
Escaldes-Engordany -
Start/End: N 42.504397° / E 1.552262° -
Hour-by-hour weather
Waypoints
- S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,240 m
- 1 : km 5.41 - alt. 2,275 m - Refugi de Claror
- 2 : km 7.23 - alt. 2,603 m - Port Negre
- 3 : km 9.28 - alt. 2,752 m - Monturull
- 4 : km 10.41 - alt. 2,742 m - Pic de Perafita
- 5 : km 12.51 - alt. 2,705 m - Pic del Sirvent
- 6 : km 13.84 - alt. 2,816 m - Pic de la Colilla
- 7 : km 14.91 - alt. 2,837 m - Tossal Bovinar
- 8 : km 16.34 - alt. 2,684 m - Port de Setut
- 9 : km 21.58 - alt. 2,001 m - Small pass
- 10 : km 23.02 - alt. 1,887 m - Fontverd refuge
- S/E : km 27.52 - alt. 1,240 m
Notes
Other walks in the area
The Pic de Casamanya from the Col d'Ordino
Visorando member 7.32 km
+736 m
-736 m
4h 10
Moderate
Departure from Ordino (Andorra)
A different side of Andorra if you want to get away from the shopping centres!
A demanding hike (it’s a tough climb) without being difficult, but offering sublime 360° views of the surrounding Pyrenean peaks and valleys.
At the start and finish, in the shade of mountain pines, and if you’re hiking in late August, there are raspberries to enjoy all along the way.
Cami del Toll Bullidor
Visorando member 1.76 km
+118 m
-110 m
0h 50
Easy
Departure from Canillo (Andorra)
A very short, easy hike to see a beautiful waterfall. There is only one path and it is very easy to follow.
Ensagents Refuge and Lakes
Visorando member 
9.78 km
+668 m
-668 m
4h 40
Moderate
Departure from Encamp (Andorra)
A fairly demanding hike through mountain pines and rhododendrons to reach the refuge and then the Étangs d'Ensagents, set in a predominantly mineral environment. The calm, the omnipresent water and the beauty of the landscapes more than compensate for the considerable effort required to negotiate a few very steep passages. A breath of fresh air just a few kilometres from the consumer frenzy of Pas de la Case.
Pic de L'Estanyo from Canillo (Andorra)
Association / Club / Walk leader 
18.22 km
+1,449 m
-1,451 m
9h 20
Difficult
Departure from Canillo (Andorra)
Pic de l'Estanyo is the second highest peak in Andorra (2,915 m). The view of the other peaks in Andorra is magnificent. It is accessible from Sorteny or Ransol for the most well-known routes. It can also be accessed from Canillo, which is the subject of this guide.
This is a long hike with a significant elevation gain. The trail is generally well marked up to Estany Gran, then you have to follow the cairns and the trail where it exists.
Comapedrosa Refuge - El Serrat
Visorando member 13.91 km
+710 m
-1,405 m
6h 00
Moderate
Departure from La Massana (Andorra)
The fourth stage is in the high mountains, easier than the previous two, allowing you to reduce your effort. Many trails through forests and woodlands make for a more bucolic and enjoyable hike. This stage presents no technical difficulties, but orientation and following the route are complicated due to numerous crossings and intersections of hiking trails. It is essential to have a hiking app and the GPX track to avoid getting lost.
Estany de la Cabana Sorda and return via Val d'Inclès
Visorando member 
13.86 km
+763 m
-763 m
6h 10
Difficult
Departure from Canillo (Andorra)
This beautiful and demanding hike allows you to discover several high-altitude lakes in an exceptional environment, including Estany del Querol, Estany de la Cabana Sorda and Estany d'Anrodat, to name but the most important. Other small lakes, some of which are unfortunately drying up, dot the route. After a particularly challenging descent, the return journey takes you along the Chemin de l'Ubac d'Inclès, which allows you to discover this beautiful valley as you walk alongside the Riu d'Inclès, close to pastures where cows, donkeys and horses graze in the summer. However, you will need to save your strength for the climb back up to the car park, which can be very tiring at the end of the walk.
Lakes of Cirque dels Pessons
Visorando member 10.25 km
+526 m
-517 m
4h 25
Difficult
Departure from Encamp (Andorra)
Difficult hike, best done in good weather as many areas are unmarked.
Tour of the Cirque dels Pessons lakes
Visorando member 
10.37 km
+518 m
-519 m
4h 25
Difficult
Departure from Encamp (Andorra)
This hike allows you to discover most of the lakes in the Cirque des Pessons while avoiding the crowds of hikers thanks to two off-trail sections that are therefore very little or not at all frequented. No fewer than sixteen lakes are on the itinerary, some identified and others unnamed. A wild landscape with rounded rocks shaped by ancient glaciers, streams and crystal-clear lakes, mountain pines... all this makes for an unforgettable experience, despite the difficulty of some sections.
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