Escaldes-Engordany walks

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.

A lovely circular route passing through the Maiana Pass. The final climb up to the pass is quite challenging. Magnificent. Unobstructed views, high-altitude grasslands, marmots! A picturesque descent towards the Perafita refuge, followed by the final descent alongside the Riu de Claror i Perafita in a mountain-western setting.

This route offers the chance to discover Andorra’s high-mountain landscape and vegetation and to visit one of the Principality’s many self-catering mountain huts.

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.

A very short, easy hike to see a beautiful waterfall. There is only one path and it is very easy to follow.

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.

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.

Set amongst forests and mountain pastures, this stage will take you to the Perafita Refuge, the perfect spot to rest.

Difficult hike, best done in good weather as many areas are unmarked.

The first part of this hike consists of a long, steady climb up to the Collada de Montmalús and then on to the peak itself, offering exceptional views of the high Andorran peaks and the Cirque dels Pessons. On the descent, an off-trail section allows you to discover three beautiful, unnamed lakes, which are rarely or never visited, save perhaps by a few trout anglers. You will, however, need to take care when tackling the rather rugged and difficult terrain.

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.

If you suffer from vertigo and wish to walk the section from the Coma Pedrosa Refuge to Sant Julia de Loria whilst avoiding the vertiginous stretch at Bony de la Pica and its difficult iron-railed descent, follow this alternative route from the Col de Montaner.

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.

The final stage of the route linking Ax-les-Thermes to Latour-de-Carol. A downhill stage through the valley, the return leg – pleasant but a little long – with a risk of getting lost as you approach the villages. You should also bear train timetables in mind.

The fourth stage of the route linking Ax-les-Thermes to Latour-de-Carol. A beautiful high-mountain stage with no significant difficulties but featuring some elevation gain. This stage sets off from Pas de la Case, followed by two small passes and then, a little further down, the Portella Blanca – the ‘white gate’ – which opens onto the descent into the Engaït valley before a final pass. It ends with the descent to the Jhaquim Floch i Girona refuge, which is in poor condition but offers a safe shelter.

Pic de la Coma Pedrosa is the highest peak in Andorra. This route takes you around it, allowing you to explore the valleys to the north on the Spanish side as well as the Estanys Forcats, far from the hordes of hikers heading for the summit. Please note: the descent from Portella de Baiau is not recommended for those who are not used to mountain terrain and are afraid of steep slopes. Part of the route is off-trail but presents no significant difficulty.

This varied hike through the Comapedrosa Valleys Natural Park takes you to the highest point in the Principality of Andorra: the Pic de Comapedrosa (2,953 m)!

Third and final stage of the circular route around the Étang de Soulcem. A beautiful high-mountain stage that takes us along the long grassy ridge running alongside the Pic del Clot del Cavall before descending into the valley to the Estanys de l’Angonella. We then cross a first pass and then the Port de Rat, which allows us to leave Andorra and reach France and the Étang de Soulcem.

With its torrent, Spanish stone pines and rhododendrons, the Vall d’Incles is a small, protected gem, far from the crowds thronging at Pas de la Casa or Andorra la Vella. The ascent of Pic de la Cabaneta follows the Siscaro ponds before tackling the very steep climb leading to the ridge and then to Tosa de Siscaro, which lies at the same altitude as its better-known neighbour. Sustained effort is rewarded with an exceptional panorama.

The fifth and final stage of the high-mountain route passes by the iconic Pic de Tristagne, which towers over the many lakes in the surrounding area, and its short, fairly exposed ridge route, before returning to France via the magnificent Étangs Fourcat site.

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.

This third stage of the route linking Ax-les-Thermes to Latour de Carol takes you to Pas de la Case… and its hotels and refreshment stops; it is an easy, somewhat long stage that takes place at altitude, mainly along the gentle, grassy ridges of Andorra, but without any difficulty. It is best to tackle this stage in good weather, as landmarks can be misleading, especially if fog sets in.

Second stage of the route around Étang de Soulcem. A beautiful high-mountain stage with no major difficulties, despite the Port de Baiau pass, which is impressive and very steep towards the end but poses no real danger if you remain cautious. This is followed by a descent into the valley before climbing back up to spend the night at the unmanned Les Fonts refuge, a typical Andorran refuge with iron beds, a fireplace and an outdoor water point. The view over the Andorran valley is splendid and restful after the exertions of the day.