From Pas de la Case to the Joaquim Folch i Girona Refuge

(S) From Pas de la Case, head due south towards Estany de les Abelletes, following the border as closely as possible. To do this, follow Avenue d’Encamp; at the first junction, turn left (both roads have the same name), then, at the second junction, turn right and continue to Estany de les Abelletes.

(1) Go round it on the right, following the well-marked path which climbs gradually, still within the ski area, and heads towards the Coll dels Isards.

(2) Continue along the path towards a second pass, also called Coll dels Isards, which is clearly visible. You’ll reach it after climbing about 100 metres in altitude, having passed through a sort of hollow between the two passes.

(3) Leave Andorra and cross into France. Continue along the same path and enter the Camperardos Valley alongside the Estany Negre or Estany de les Passaderes.

(4) Walk along the eastern side of this small lake, then head slightly lower down (south-south-west) towards the Portella Blanca d’Andorra, which is effectively a sort of undulating white pass that is very clearly visible and extremely easy to cross.

(5) There, join the GR®107, which heads first westwards and then south-westwards on a gentle descent. You’ll first cross back into Andorra and then quickly enter Spain (Catalonia). Continue on a pleasant descent through the Vall d’Engaït until you reach a junction with the GR®11, near the Cabana dels Esparvers.

(6) Leave the^GR®107and follow the GR®11 to the left, heading due east towards the Portella d’Engorgs, situated 600 metres above. The path is very well signposted, but the climb is steep.

(7) Begin the descent, which is a little tricky at first over scree but becomes easier once you’ve cleared the first steep section. Continue, passing along the edge of the Estany dels Minyons and the Estany dels Aparellats. You will then reach the Joaquim Folch i Girona Refuge (E).

(S) The start of this stage is not easy to locate amongst these clusters of buildings; it is situated on the border between Andorra and France. This border is not marked by a ridge but by the spillway of the Estany de les Abelletes, the Ariège river, and is therefore at the bottom of the valley. It’s quite misleading, especially as the presence of herds makes it difficult to get around. The aim is therefore to find this lake, straddling the border, by following the ski runs and keeping as far to the left as possible – or as far east as possible – of the ski lifts. You’ll naturally reach it by following a dirt track (Avenue d’Encamp); once you’ve found the lake, the route is clearly signposted.
If you run into difficulties, either follow the Ariège stream or take the A-road; at the first hairpin bend to the right, take the Chemin d’Encamp, which also leads to the lake.

During this stage, there is plenty of water along the route, but also numerous herds. It is therefore advisable to set off with sufficient supplies and water purification tablets for when collecting water near the herds.

Joachim Folch i Girona Mountain Hut: In July 2018, this hut was in poor condition, particularly due to dirt, but it offers a safe shelter. It was also difficult to camp nearby because of the presence of numerous herds of cows.

For the most intrepid walkers, it is advisable to walk for a further two hours – provided you are fit enough (as there is a risk of accidents due to fatigue) – to reach the Malniu Refuge, which is a much more pleasant manned refuge where you can camp nearby (at a designated campsite, away from the herds).

The Estany des Abelletes is close to the Source de l’Ariège, situated just above it in the Cirque de Font Nègre.