In Andorra, leave the CG-2 going up to or down from the Col d'Envalira, depending on the direction of arrival, and head towards the Grau Roig station, indicated by a large sign. Pass the first car park on the left and continue to cross the stream called Valira d'Orient and reach the second car park.
No markings
(S/E) Head towards the medical centre, identifiable by its large red cross, go around it on the left, passing under the trees along the edge of the stream, and cross the large area where the resort's numerous chairlift departures are located.
(1) Turn right onto the track towards the "3 Estanys" restaurant, pass it and begin a steady climb. Ignore a track on the left (earthworks in July 2022) and continue to the right. You will reach a fork in the road located in a bend.
Yellow and red markings
Continue straight ahead and you will soon reach Estany Primer. Turn right to walk alongside the mountain restaurant.
Round yellow markings
(2) Leave the track and turn left onto a narrow rocky path that climbs through the mountain pines. Once on flat ground, take a short detour to the left to reach the banks of Estany Forcat. Turn back and take the marked path on the left, which starts to climb again.
You will reach a first pond that is smaller than the previous one. Continue along several other smaller ponds on your right.
Off the trail
(3) When the trail begins to climb, leave it and head right towards the small stream that feeds these ponds: I have placed a cairn at this junction. Once you reach the stream, follow it up to the left on a gentle slope through grassy terrain and rounded rocks. Keep going in the same direction to pass by the first pond, then the second, and reach the third, which is larger than the previous ones and dominated by the reddish walls of Pic Alt del Cubil.
(4) After enjoying this haven of peace, turn your back on the pond and head south up a grassy valley, aiming for a small pine tree with a single branch visible on the ridge. Once at the top, locate the path you left earlier straight ahead and rejoin it not far from a small pond on the left that is drying up.
Yellow round markings
Turn right and walk about 150 m to discover Sisè Estany below on the left. Look for the very faint trail that leads in this direction: I have placed a cairn at this intersection, which is not very visible.
(5) Follow this trail to reach the pond where it joins theGR®7-Andorra.
White and redGR® markings
Turn right. When you reach a marker post, continue straight ahead and go around Estany de les Fonts on the right. Then begin a fairly steep climb over rocky terrain with increasingly sparse grassy patches.
Off the trail
(6) Leave theGR® by turning left (south) and head towards Estany del Cap dels Pessons. Follow the bank on the left towards the outlet. Cross it, go around a small pond on the right and you will come to a huge rocky area with no landmarks (cairns or paint).
(7) To cross it, keep heading east then veer north-east, choosing the best route: you will need to watch out for unstable rocks and use your hands regularly to get across some sections. The route recorded on site is indicative and corresponds to what seemed to me to be the least problematic, avoiding the largest rocks. Of course, other routes are possible. The earth and rhododendrons follow the rocky chaos and make progress easier. Reach the banks of the pond.
(8) Turn right to walk along it, staying as close to the water as possible. At the end of the pond, climb up a grassy area, veering to the left. You will reach a small pass from where you can see another pond. To avoid a rather tricky direct descent, turn left and look for a tiny pond further on that is drying up (not shown on the map but visible on Google Earth). Head towards it on much easier terrain, now a mixture of exposed rocks and grassy areas.
Once you reach this pond, turn right to reach the other, much larger pond. Go around it on the left.
(9) Once you reach the eastern end, turn sharply left. When you reach a small pass, you will see a small pond in the distance on the right (not shown on the map): do not head towards it, but instead go diagonally to the left, passing at the foot of a rocky outcrop and heading towards a solitary pine tree. Once you reach the pine tree, continue straight ahead for a few metres, then turn left and climb the slope.
Once at the top, you will see another pond below on the right. The terrain, consisting of rhododendrons and hidden rocks, makes a direct descent impossible. Continue to the left and negotiate the path as best you can, favouring the grassy and stony sections. Cross a small scree slope and then head north.
On flat ground, cross a mini-bog created by the stream that descends from Estany del Meligar. Avoid the spongiest parts and keep going in the same direction to rejoin theGR®7.
GR® White and Red markings
(10) Follow it to the right. Pass by Estany Rodo, Tercer Estany and Estany Forcat, which you already saw on the way up, and reach the shores of Estany Primer after a few steep sections.
Yellow and red markings
(11) Turn left and rejoin the uphill track. Follow it downhill.
No markings
At the fork, leave the yellow and red markings and continue to follow the track opposite to return to the starting car park (S/E).