Trip code: W07RP 4 (2 reviews)
Self-guided walking
7 nights,
twin centre
Level: 4
Challenging
Flights
available
27.0Kg CO2e
Headwater
Navigation App
Andorra is well known for its unique mountain walking, offering unforgettable views over vast lakes and lush countryside with its highest mountain Coma Pedrosa, standing at a sizeable 2943 metres! This intriguing landlocked principality situated high in the Pyrenees offers all the spectacular views of ever-changing scenery a walker could wish for, some of the most dramatic in all of the Pyrenees. Boasting isolated refuges, medieval villages, soaring mountain passes and the beautiful tranquillity of a thousand lakes.
We have carefully selected our routes to ensure you truly experiences the best the Andorran Pyrenees has to offer. With its independent character, wildflower meadows and towering peaks, Andorra offers some of the finest paths in the Pyrenees making it a walker's paradise. The variety and quality of paths is quite exceptional.
Our two centres have been chosen for their accessible locations, high standard of hotels and of course the quality of the surrounding walks. You will first be based in Encamp, a lovely parish located on the stunning Valira d'Orient River with good bus links. You will then walk to your second centre in El Serrat. The walking is more mountainous in this village and has a surplus of beautiful wildflowers framing deep lakes.
Since you'll be walking in the Pyrenees, there will naturally be some significant elevation gains and losses. However, we’ve made an effort to incorporate public transport options where possible to help minimise steep ascents and descents to and from the valley floor. The paths include a mix of dirt or rocky trails, along with some country tracks and lanes. This trip would suit experienced walkers who are looking for a challenge as some scrambling is required.
An optional introductory walk takes you up above Encamp and along ancient paths following the line of the underground aqueduct to the lovely rebuilt Basilica of Meritxell via Prats. If you don't have time, an out and back walk to the Basilica of Meritxell and then to Prats is possible. Both routes offer a good introduction to the immediate location, a taste of the hiking in Andorra and a level of orientation.
You stay at Hotel Guillem.
Pool
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV
Located in the pretty village of Encamp, very close to the town hall, the 4* Hotel Guillem is very comfortable and friendly. There is a bar and a well-lit restaurant serving tasty dishes. The hotel also offers an indoor pool, steam room, sauna and hot tub to enjoy after a long day walking.
All rooms feature free Wi-Fi, television, telephone, safe and private bathroom with WC, shower, bath and hairdryer.
Etangs de Fontargente
This serene valley walk follows an (infamous) trade/smuggling route leading to an ascent of the Port de Fontargente from where you drop down into France for a lakeside picnic at the Etang of the same name. Superb views, jagged peaks and a well-marked trail make for a very enjoyable day's hike.
Val de Juclar
Alternatively, you can enjoy the popular walk to the pair or largest lakes in Andorra. You will be elevated into a land of waterfalls, rugged peaks, alpine flowers and glistening lakes. Pic de Noe and Pic d'Escobes set a stunning backdrop for the two lakes and the Refugio de Juclar.
Breakfast Included.
You stay at Hotel Guillem.
PoolHairdryerWiFiTV
Located in the pretty village of Encamp, very close to the town hall, the 4* Hotel Guillem is very comfortable and friendly. There is a bar and a well-lit restaurant serving tasty dishes. The hotel also offers an indoor pool, steam room, sauna and hot tub to enjoy after a long day walking.
All rooms feature free Wi-Fi, television, telephone, safe and private bathroom with WC, shower, bath and hairdryer.
This is a challenging high-level walk crossing via Pic de Pessons with the highest point reached at 2890 metres. This is an incredible walk; high rugged mountains, strings of lakes, tumbling waterfalls and stunning views of peaks in Spain, France and Andorra. At the Coll below Pic de Pessons, the landscape becomes lunar with soft gravel, huge boulders of granite and alpine flowers. The latter part of the descent presents a narrow ambling path leading through cooling forest with streams and flowers like nature's own rock garden.
Breakfast Included.
You stay at Hotel Guillem.
PoolHairdryerWiFiTV
Located in the pretty village of Encamp, very close to the town hall, the 4* Hotel Guillem is very comfortable and friendly. There is a bar and a well-lit restaurant serving tasty dishes. The hotel also offers an indoor pool, steam room, sauna and hot tub to enjoy after a long day walking.
All rooms feature free Wi-Fi, television, telephone, safe and private bathroom with WC, shower, bath and hairdryer.
An easier and contrasting day to the previous two, leaving the option of a later start or our recommendation a free afternoon to explore the lovely UNESCO Biosphere of Ordino. At the start of the walk, you pass the Moorish tower and beautiful 12th century church in Encamp. Following an ancient mountain trail, the walk rises steeply up to Coll d'Ordino. From here you can see Andorra's highest peaks and pass by the country's centre. From the Coll, an enjoyable descent leads straight into the beautiful medieval town of Ordino.
Breakfast Included.
You stay at Hotel Guillem.
PoolHairdryerWiFiTV
Located in the pretty village of Encamp, very close to the town hall, the 4* Hotel Guillem is very comfortable and friendly. There is a bar and a well-lit restaurant serving tasty dishes. The hotel also offers an indoor pool, steam room, sauna and hot tub to enjoy after a long day walking.
All rooms feature free Wi-Fi, television, telephone, safe and private bathroom with WC, shower, bath and hairdryer.
Moving to your next hotel in El Serrat, you walk from Ordino following the valley up to El Serrat. You take a higher route on the Cami Creu del Noral through pine forests as far as La Cortinada. From there the already pleasing riverside trail is made more so by the interest of it being the Ruta de Fero depicting the history of the iron mining era in Andorra. You also pass some very pretty houses on the riverside including a very old, but lovingly restored sawmill.
Breakfast and Evening Meal Included.
You stay at Hotel El Pradet or (Upgrade Option) Hotel Bringue.
HairdryerWiFiTV
You will find everything you need to make you feel at home at the comfortable, family run 3* Hotel El Pradet. With stunning landscape views, it offers the perfect environment to relax after a long day walking. The restaurant serves delicious Andorran food cooked in a traditional style and the sunny terrace has fantastic views of the Vall d’Ordino. All rooms in the hotel feature free Wi-Fi, television, telephone and private bathroom with WC, bath/shower and hairdryer.
PoolHairdryerWiFiTV
Safe
Surrounded by mountains, the 4* Hotel Bringue is located in an idyllic position in the Ordino valley. This family run hotel is modern, warm and elegant whilst offering all the charm of a traditional mountain hotel. Enjoy a unique spa experience with spectacular views of the Andorran mountains as you enjoy the facilities including pool, sauna and Turkish bath (payable locally). Taste authentic Andorran cuisine at the Bringué Hotel Restaurant, offering the grilled meats specialities of the Ordino valley.
All rooms feature free Wi-Fi, television, telephone, safe and private bathroom with WC, shower, bath and hairdryer.
Solar Mountain
Today's out and back walk flows along a large, wooded valley on a gravel tracks and paths and can be treated as a low-level walk to the Gondola or a more challenging walk with a climb up to the chairlift. Either way a truly special spectacle awaits on top of the Solar Mountain, with its unusual and recently constructed viewpoint.
Estany Blau
Alternatively, you have an out and back walk to the stunning blue lake Estany Blau located in France, you have the option to walk as far as you wish today as you can always turn back at any point. Of the 2 options today, this is the most challenging walk, following the beautiful Rialb valley with its rushing mountain waters, wildflowers and ancient shepherds' huts, the initial ascent is easy and relaxed. At the valleys head, a steep climb leads over Port de Siguer with incredible views into France and the shimmering Estany Blau below beckoning for a picnic and a swim.
Breakfast and Evening Meal Included.
You stay at Hotel El Pradet or Hotel Bringue.
HairdryerWiFiTV
You will find everything you need to make you feel at home at the comfortable, family run 3* Hotel El Pradet. With stunning landscape views, it offers the perfect environment to relax after a long day walking. The restaurant serves delicious Andorran food cooked in a traditional style and the sunny terrace has fantastic views of the Vall d’Ordino. All rooms in the hotel feature free Wi-Fi, television, telephone and private bathroom with WC, bath/shower and hairdryer.
PoolHairdryerWiFiTVSafe
Surrounded by mountains, the 4* Hotel Bringue is located in an idyllic position in the Ordino valley. This family run hotel is modern, warm and elegant whilst offering all the charm of a traditional mountain hotel. Enjoy a unique spa experience with spectacular views of the Andorran mountains as you enjoy the facilities including pool, sauna and Turkish bath (payable locally). Taste authentic Andorran cuisine at the Bringué Hotel Restaurant, offering the grilled meats specialities of the Ordino valley.
All rooms feature free Wi-Fi, television, telephone, safe and private bathroom with WC, shower, bath and hairdryer.
Sorteny
The 1st of 3 choice on your last day is a simple out and back walk that follows the well-signed GRP Volta Andorra to the refuge in the flower laden Sortenay Valley. It's a gorgeous, simple walk-in and easily completed in a morning if you just walk to the refugi and back. Optionally, continue on into the valley through the meadows and return at leisure retracing your route.
Estanyo
This is a walk of two halves, the first part of the route to the small mountain lake is a good walk in its own rights.The lake makes a great place for a picnic and ponder and you have the choice to either, head back down from the lake or continue up to the Pic d l'Estanyo (2,915 m). The 2nd optional half of the route is a very, very, tough climb; initially on grassy slopes as soon as you leave the lake, followed by steep rock and scree all the way to the pyramid shaped peak.
Collada dels Meners
This out and back route heads almost due east through the Sortenay valley and reserve, before climbing along the GRP/GR11/HRP route to the impressive Colllada dels Meners. It's a long tough climb, although nowhere near as hard as the Pic de l'Estanyo, and as an out and back route, you can turn back whenever you feel like.
Breakfast and Evening Meal Included.
You stay at Hotel El Pradet or Hotel Bringue.
HairdryerWiFiTV
You will find everything you need to make you feel at home at the comfortable, family run 3* Hotel El Pradet. With stunning landscape views, it offers the perfect environment to relax after a long day walking. The restaurant serves delicious Andorran food cooked in a traditional style and the sunny terrace has fantastic views of the Vall d’Ordino. All rooms in the hotel feature free Wi-Fi, television, telephone and private bathroom with WC, bath/shower and hairdryer.
PoolHairdryerWiFiTVSafe
Surrounded by mountains, the 4* Hotel Bringue is located in an idyllic position in the Ordino valley. This family run hotel is modern, warm and elegant whilst offering all the charm of a traditional mountain hotel. Enjoy a unique spa experience with spectacular views of the Andorran mountains as you enjoy the facilities including pool, sauna and Turkish bath (payable locally). Taste authentic Andorran cuisine at the Bringué Hotel Restaurant, offering the grilled meats specialities of the Ordino valley.
All rooms feature free Wi-Fi, television, telephone, safe and private bathroom with WC, shower, bath and hairdryer.
Transfer by bus to Barcelona airport (3 hours journey).
Breakfast Included
These tour prices are based on two people sharing. Single supplement from £200.
We can book your flights, protected by ATOL and ABTA. Please ask at time of enquiry.
If you choose a flight inclusive package with us, you will fly into Barcelona airport. We can provide transfers from the airport, please contact us for details and prices.
We hold an ATOL License and are fully ABTA bonded, so you can book your flights with us in confidence. We can book most airlines and will advise you of your most convenient airport and flight options.
Flight prices vary massively and change quickly. At Headwater we will sell you your flights at the same price you can buy them yourself. We simply add £35 per person to cover your flight protection, to learn more please click here.
Subject to availability and dependent on service provider, please ask at time of enquiry and book early to avoid disappointment.
Self-guided walking
7 nights,
twin centre
Level: 4
Challenging
Flights
available
27.0Kg CO2e
Headwater
Navigation App
