Comapedrosa Peak as seen from Arinsal

After driving through the Arinsal tunnel, take the first road on the right; the start of the walk is at the end of this road.

(S/E) Follow the forest track which continues beyond the car park. This follows the stream upstream for a few metres and turns left above the hamlet, heading west. At the first hairpin bend, leave the track and take the path branching off to the left.

(1) At the junction, take the path on the right and cross the Rius d’Arinsal and Comapedrosa via footbridges. The slope then becomes quite steep with hairpin bends, before gradually emerging from the forest and drawing closer to the stream.

(2) Cross the stream over the rocks and continue along the path, which is visible from below. It climbs a fairly steep section.

(3) At the junction, turn left to take a detour via the refuge (Refugi de la Comapedrosa). You don’t have to take this detour via the refuge, but it’s quite lovely!

(4) From the Comapedrosa refuge, take the path on the right-hand corner (heading west). Be careful not to take the path towards Safonts (further to the left in front of the refuge). Cross a small stream and rejoin the original path you left further down.

(5) This path runs alongside the jasse and climbs straight up a broad grassy slope. At the end of this small cirque, it turns right to go round a rocky outcrop, and climbs quite steeply up to the first Étang de Comapedrosa.

(6) Go round the lake on the right and continue along the same path until you reach another junction above these lakes.

(7) Turn right towards the ridge. The markings now consist of yellow dots. They appear fairly regularly for the rest of the climb, but be sure to look up carefully to spot them. The route reaches the rocky ridge via a gentle chimney.

(8) Once you reach the ridge, follow it as you climb. The view opens out across all the surrounding mountain ranges. The climb is neither technical nor exposed, but you will need to use your hands to scramble over a few rocks.

(9) At the Pic de Comapedrosa, an orientation table shows the surrounding peaks. On a clear day, the view stretches as far as the Maladeta. Montcalm seems very close by and we look out over the whole of Andorra! A signpost indicates the option to descend on the other side. Follow this route down the (rocky but easy) western slope of the peak. The path then leads back down through the grass to another junction marked by a sign, where we rejoin the^GR®9markings.

(10) Take a short detour to the right to see the Baiau ponds from the ridge (only 2–3 minutes).
Then begin the gentle descent towards the Estany Negre.

(11) Walk round the lake on the left. The well-marked path then rejoins the fork you took to climb towards the ridges.

(7) Continue to the junction with the path you took when coming from the refuge.

(5) Carry on straight ahead and reach the fork at the foot of the refuge.

(3) Follow the path you took on the way up downhill and return to the starting point via the same route (S/E).

The path is well signposted (^GR® then yellow dots) and marked throughout the ascent, making for easy going. There are no major technical difficulties to note. Only a few sections along the ridge require you to use your hands, but they are not exposed.

The Comapedrosa refuge is staffed from June to October and has 60 beds.
Bivouacking is possible (stone wall), 15 metres below the summit, facing due south.