From the Juclar Refuge to Pas de la Case

(S) Leave the refuge and head down into the valley, following the red and white GRT markings and the yellow markings; after 10 minutes (2,250 m), you’ll come to the first junction with the^GRP®. Turn left and continue following the same markings. Carry on down to quickly reach the junction between:
- the red and white GRT, which heads left towards the Siscaro hut,
- and the yellow-marked path leading down into the Val d’Inclès.

(1) Do not follow the clearly marked yellow signposting, otherwise you will have to descend all the way to the Val d’Inclès and then climb back up via the standard route to the Siscaro hut.
Follow the red and white GRT trail closely as it winds along the hillside before descending to the Siscaro hut. You’ll reach the clearly visible junction just before the Siscaro hut.

(2) Do not go all the way to the hut, but bypass the marshy area (Basses dels Basers) on the right, still following the red and white markings, then head due south and, after a grassy climb followed by a turn due west, reach the Étang l’Estany de Baix.

(3) Go round it on the right and continue the climb due south to a first small pass called Pas de Les Vaques (not to be confused with Port Dret).

(4) Follow the ridge line due south for about 15 minutes to reach Port Dret, a clearly marked small pass.

(5) Stay on the red and white GRT, which heads due east, to the left, towards the Portella hut and then towards L’Hospitalet; do not follow it, but continue south-east on the^GRP® for 15 minutes until you reach another junction.

(6) Leave the^GRP®; it heads off to the right and descends south-west towards Envalira. Continue along a track heading south-east towards the small pass of Ortafà, and reach it.

(7) Keep heading south-east along the track leading to Pic del Maïa, which is recognisable by the large aerial towering above it.

(8) Then descend towards the Port d’Envalira along the track, cutting across the grassy slopes. Reach the Port d’Envalira at the junction with the C.G.2 road.

(9) Turn left and follow the road with care as it leads to Pas de la Case, cutting across the hairpin bends where possible. Shortly afterwards, you will reach Pas de la Case (E).

There are no water supplies from the Estany de Baix to the Port d’Envalira; make sure you plan ahead as the ridges are exposed to the sun.

(6) This junction is not shown on French maps but is marked on Andorran maps. If possible, make sure you have an Andorran map; this is preferable as French maps are sometimes inaccurate and may lead you astray.

On the descent to Pas de la Case, the proximity to the road is a bit of a nuisance, but it’s the price you pay to reach a comfortable hotel and stock up on food. The hotels in Pas de la Case are inexpensive and welcoming – a guaranteed transition from the great outdoors to consumerist civilisation – but the availability of supplies makes it easier to travel light.