Tosa de Siscaro and Pic de la Cabaneta via the Vall d'Incles

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.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.37 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,024 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,015 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,817 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,833 m
  • ⚐ Country: Andorra
  • ⚐
    Area: Pyrenees
  • ⚐ District: Canillo 
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 42.601735° / E 1.686406°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2148OT, 2148OTR, 2249OT, 2249OTR
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Cross the Andorran border at Pas de la Casa and then the Col d’Envalira. It is possible to take the tunnel, but you will miss out on the magnificent view from the pass. Descend the C.G.2 to Soldeu, cross the village and then, at the first hairpin bend to the left, do not miss the start of the very narrow road on the right that climbs up the Vall d’Incles. Continue to the end of the road just before the Badalosa bridge and park in the designated car park.

Signposted with directional signs at major junctions

(S/E) Do not cross the Badalosa bridge but head towards the attractive stone building which serves as a bar-restaurant and quickly leave the tarmac for a wide stony track. At the junction just after a white metal gate, ignore route no. 31 (Obac d’Incles) on the right and continue straight on, following the Riu de Juclar, until you reach a fork with two signposts.

(1) Turn right, following the signs for “Pic de la Cabaneta – Refugi de Siscaro – Estanys de Siscaro”. The path narrows and begins a fairly steep climb through a forest of mountain pines and rhododendrons. Progress is sometimes hampered by numerous streams and some relatively muddy sections.

Emerge from the pine forest onto the beautiful Siscaro hut, where you will find an information board detailing the hikes available in this area, as well as a signpost a few metres further on.

Red and white markings + yellow markings

(2) Ignore the footbridge on the left leading to the refuge and continue straight on towards the mountain cirque. Cross several streams and a few muddy sections, which are easily bypassed, heading towards the rocky barrier that holds back the first pond and overlooks the area to the south. Then turn right onto the path, heading west to go round it.

(3) Ignore the path on the right and continue straight on, following the double markings to quickly reach the first pond, which is drying up, with only two small pools of water remaining.

Yellow markings

(4) Turn left, leaving theGR® to continue due south towards Port Dret. Reach Estany de Baix de Siscaro (2340m), much prettier than the previous one. Cross the outlet then tackle the climb leading to Estany de Canals Roges.

Very old and faded red markings + cairns

(5) Follow the edge of the lake and keep heading in the same direction to begin the climb, following a stream on the right to go round a small rocky outcrop. You’ll come out onto a flat area facing a rocky cirque; go round the outcrop, taking care to stay on the faint trail on the ground.

(6) At the break in the slope, start a steep climb, heading south at first then east. At a short flat area where you can take a break, the cairn-marked trail turns north-east, climbing straight up across the contour lines and two narrow cross-trails which can be ignored.

(7) End of the cairned section. Head off to the right (east) for the final part of the ascent, which is somewhat discouraging as it consists of several grassy knolls, each one obscuring the next, giving the impression that you’re not making any progress. Keep heading in the same direction to reach the ridge at a small flat area.

(8) Turn left and head straight for the Tosa de Siscaro, which you’ll reach in a few minutes via a much gentler climb than the previous one.

(9) Exceptional 360° panorama. Then follow the ridge, heading south-east then east, whilst ensuring you stay two or three metres below, on the south side, to avoid the rocky outcrops on the north slope. Walk along the ridge, taking care not to lose elevation, and reach the Pic de la Cabaneta (2818m).

(10) Take advantage of this well-deserved break to admire the Andorran and Ariège Pyrenees unfolding in a 360° panorama. The view is well worth all the effort of the climb.
Follow the same route back to the Vall d'Incles and the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,833 m - Incles car park
  2. 1 : km 0.83 - alt. 1,925 m - Fork, right
  3. 2 : km 1.73 - alt. 2,139 m - Jasse de Siscaro
  4. 3 : km 2.74 - alt. 2,292 m - Junction, straight ahead
  5. 4 : km 3.02 - alt. 2,333 m - End of the white and red markings, on the left
  6. 5 : km 3.79 - alt. 2,411 m - Estany de les Canals Roges de Siscaro
  7. 6 : km 4.5 - alt. 2,531 m - Change in gradient
  8. 7 : km 4.95 - alt. 2,682 m - End of the cairn section; no further markings
  9. 8 : km 5.25 - alt. 2,766 m - Ridge, elevation 2766
  10. 9 : km 5.53 - alt. 2,816 m - Tosa de Siscaro
  11. 10 : km 6.15 - alt. 2,816 m - Pic de la Cabaneta
  12. S/E : km 12.37 - alt. 1,833 m - Incles car park

Notes

Markings

Between (1) and (2), there are some old and rather sparse yellow markings. These have been deliberately omitted from the description.

Good-quality double markings between (2) and (5).

Between (5) and (7), it is best to follow the cairns, which are more visible than the old red markings.

From (7) onwards, there is a complete lack of signposting. Keep heading towards the ridge. A GPS track and the mobile app will be a great help.

The climb between (6) and (8) is extremely steep. A good level of fitness is required.

High-top hiking boots are recommended. On the descent, walking poles will help relieve pressure on your joints.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
titi670
titi670

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with exceptional landscapes and a wonderful variety (lake, mountains, meadows, etc.)
Among the top-ranked hikes

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Marc31
Marc31

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant route near the stream and lakes. The finish is a bit steep, but there’s a magnificent view of France and Andorra.

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Joanet
Joanet

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Not too many hikers on the route!...

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roques michel
roques michel

We couldn’t get to the site; the road had been closed since 9am. Only a small train takes tourists up into the mountains. There was nowhere to park the car at the start of the track. The pay-and-display machines only allowed parking for three hours. So we set off for a hike in Grau Roig.
What a shame. Apparently the road is closed from 9 am to 6 pm until mid-September.

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vagabond66
vagabond66

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 11, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The signposting is clear (Yellow Circle), and the path is always clearly visible. The climb to the peak is indeed steep, but if you take it easy at the start, it’s a gentle ascent; it took us 2 hours 45 minutes from the start to the peak, 5 hours in total, including time to visit the lovely refuge (on the lower slope, sleeps 10, 12 if you squeeze in) which was exceptionally clean; there is a spring on the right in the trough.

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Cabrol
Cabrol

The map included in the document "randonnee-tosa-de-siscaro-et-pic-de-la-cabaneta-pa" is faulty; the contour lines do not appear on the map...

It’s a shame, as it would have given me a lot of guidance...

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