Overview
An eight day, self-guided adventure hiking in Andorra to explore its spectacular Pyrenean trails. Andorra is an eastern Pyrenean treat, well known to skiers in winter, but still off the beaten track for summer and autumn hikers. It’s a microstate with massive mountains, with 65 peaks over 2,000m. On this walking holiday you get to ascend to the likes of Pic del Clot del Cavall (2,586m) and Pic de l’Estanyó (2,925m), one of the seven mountains in Andorra exceeding 2,900m. Other highlights include the Iron Route through the historic mining area and also Incles Valley, which takes you over the border into France. Stay in three and four-star hotels, with luggage transfers.
For a slightly shorter walking holiday in Andorra, see our five day tour.
- Mountain villages of Arinsal and Ordino
- Iron Route
- Circ de Pessons
- Sorteny, Incles and Madriu Valleys
- Juclar, Pessons and Engolasters Lakes
- Sorteny Valley Natural Park
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival to Arinsal
Arrive in Arinsal, a mountain village in the river valley that bears its name, a celebrated ski resort in winter. In summer, it’s hiking heaven and a perfect place to start this hiking adventure. Take time to stroll around its historic centre, and visit Sant Andreu Church. Surrounded by mountains, you can spot a few of the country’s highest peaks: Coma Pedrosa, Medecorba and Pla de l’Estany. Dinner is included at your accommodation.
- Accommodation: Hotel Montané or similar in Arinsal
- Upgraded accommodation: Princesa Parc Mountain Resort & Spa or similar in Arinsal
- Meals included: dinner
Day 2: Arinsal – El Serrat | 10km
Today’s walk takes you from Arinsal to El Serrat, crossing L’Angonella Mountain Pass. Walk up to Pic del Clot del Cavall (2,586m) and continue walking to the first Lake Angonella, located at a lower altitude than the two other lakes. If you have enough energy, we recommend taking a circular detour to explore the other lakes above (add 2km and 140m of elevation gain and loss). Back to the first lake, descend past large stretches of pines and traditional cabins to Sant Serni Church in the village of Llorts. Take a bus or taxi from Llorts to your accommodation in El Serrat.
- Walking for the day: 10km, 5-6h, ↑1,090m ↓1,120m
- Accommodation: Hotel & Spa Bringué or similar in El Serrat
- Upgraded accommodation: Hotel & Spa Xalet Bringué or similar in El Serrat
- Meals included: breakfast, dinner
Day 3: Sorteny Valley | 10.5km
Start hiking from the accommodation and enter Sorteny Valley Natural Park, which was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2020. After the first ascent, you come to a flora-rich and biodiverse landscape, famous for having nearly 300 species of flowers and shrubs. Continue uphill through aspen and birch forests to Estany de l’Estanyó, an alpine lake at 2,350m. On the way back, it is worth stopping at Sorteny Hut for a meal or drink on their terrace. Descend back the same way to the accommodation.
The hike can be extended to Pic de l’Estanyó (2,925m), one of seven mountains in Andorra exceeding 2,900m and with spectacular views (14km, ↑1,300m ↓1,300m).
- Walking for the day: 10.5km, 4-5h, ↑770m ↓770m
- Accommodation: Hotel & Spa Bringué or similar in El Serrat
- Upgraded accommodation: Hotel & Spa Xalet Bringué or similar in El Serrat
- Meals included: breakfast, dinner
Day 4: El Serrat to Ordino: Iron Route | 9km
From the accommodation, follow the valley downhill to the village of Llorts, where the Iron Route begins in Mina de Llorts, a 30m deep mine that can only be visited in the summer months. The Iron Route is a very popular trail, dotted with iron sculptures throughout to mark the historic importance of the iron industry here. The route concludes in Ordino, but just before reaching its end, we recommend visiting Sant Martí de la Cortinada Church, known for its Romanesque architecture and the metalwork of its side chapels. You are transferred from Ordino to your accommodation in Soldeu.
- Walking for the day: 9km, 3h, ↑50m ↓330m
- Accommodation: Hotel Piolets Soldeu Centre or similar in Soldeu
- Upgraded accommodation: Park Piolets Mountain Hotel & Spa or similar in Soldeu
- Meals included: breakfast
Day 5: Incles Valley | 14/22km
This hike begins in Soldeu and goes to the end of Incles Valley, where there is a car park. Start the walk with a moderate climb on a forest track surrounded by dry stone walls and mountain pines. Continue uphill along the river to the first Juclar Lake, the largest lake in Andorra. It’s a well known habitat for the Pyrenean newt which can only be found in very pure waters. Next to the lake is Juclar Mountain Hut, which has a meal service in summer. The path, marked with three yellow spots, continues around the lake and comes to the second Juclar Lake. The highest point of today’s walk is Coll de Juclar (2,450m), from where you cross over to France. Descend via a narrow path alongside three alpine lakes, including Étang de l’Estagnol, before coming to Étangs de Fontargente. Cross back to Andorra via Fontargente Pass, a border area that was historically a smugglers’ trail. Return to the car park to walk back to Soldeu.
Please note: there is the option to shorten the hike by taking the electric train (payable locally) from the start of Incles Valley to Incles Valley car park. From mid-June to early September, the electric train operates from 9:00a.m. to 6:00p.m., running non-stop to the far end of the valley. For the rest of the season the electric train is not running, so the only option is to walk 22km or take a taxi. A shorter route is also possible on request.
- Walking for the day option one: 22km, 8h, ↑957m ↓957m
- Walking for the day option two: 14km, 5-6h, ↑798m ↓798m
- Accommodation: Hotel Piolets Soldeu Centre or similar in Soldeu
- Upgraded accommodation: Park Piolets Mountain Hotel & Spa or similar in Soldeu
- Meals included: breakfast
Day 6: Circ de Pessons | 9km
You are transferred to El Cubil Car Park, where this famous circular route starts. Circ de Pessons has six alpine lakes, one after the other, located in a glacial cirque that’s surrounded by mountains over 2,800m. Head west along a forest track as far as Estany Primer, where Llacs dels Pesson Mountain Hut and Restaurant is located. From this point, follow the trail southwards, leaving the lake to your right, following the GR7 to Estany Rodó. From here you get your first chance to see all the lakes together. Take a gentle climb to the last lake, Cap dels Pessons. Return by the Solana Lakes to the starting point, where you are transferred to your accommodation in Encamp.
There is also an option to ascend Pic dels Pessons (2,864m) with panoramic views of all the lakes, adding 3km and 230m of elevation gain.
- Walking for the day: 9km, 4h, ↑500m ↓500m
- Accommodation: Hotel Guillem or similar in Encamp
- Upgraded accommodation: Les Pardines 1819 Mountain Suites & Spa or similar in Encamp
- Meals included: breakfast
Day 7: Lake Engolasters and Madriu Valley | 17km
This hike begins in Encamp, in front of the Automobile Museum. The first part is a relatively short trail towards Lake Engolasters, one of the most popular lakes in Andorra as it is accessible and also very beautiful. To venture into Madriu Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, descend using the paved road and follow the Camí dels Matxos uphill to Jovell Mountain Pass. Continue parallel to the Madriu River and cross Fontverd Plain as far as Fontverd Cabin, which is a perfect spot for a picnic. The way back follows the GR11 trail to Circuit de les Fonts. Return to Engolasters Lake and back to the accommodation.
- Walking for the day: 17km, 6-7h, ↑940m ↓940m
- Accommodation: Hotel Guillem or similar in Encamp
- Upgraded accommodation: Les Pardines 1819 Mountain Suites & Spa or similar in Encamp
- Meals included: breakfast
Day 8: Departure
Departure after breakfast. Take a direct bus from Encamp to Barcelona Airport. We also recommend spending an extra night in Andorra la Vella, the country’s capital, known for its historic centre.
- Meals included: breakfast
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour is in three or four-star hotels. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view default hotels
- Hotel Montané (Arinsal)
- Hotel & Spa Bringué (El Serrat)
- Hotel Piolets Soldeu Centre (Soldeu)
- Hotel Guillem (Encamp)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Click to view upgraded hotels
- Princesa Parc Mountain Resort & Spa (Arinsal)
- Hotel & Spa Xalet Bringué (El Serrat)
- Park Piolets Mountain Hotel & Spa (Soldeu)
- Les Pardines 1819 Mountain Suites & Spa (Encamp)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included on seven days and dinner is included on three days. When no restaurant location is available on the route, lunches and snacks should either be bought from local shops, or packed lunch can be pre-ordered from your accommodation the night before.
Difficulty and terrain
This holiday is appropriate for experienced walkers and requires a good level of fitness. While the routes are relatively short, most contain a good amount of elevation and at a higher altitude, routes may feel more strenuous than they would at a lower elevation (read more about difficulty grades). We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available on any date from 15 June until 15 October. The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates and you can start your trip on any date in the season, so please indicate desired beginning date when booking.
The best months for hiking in Andorra are July through September. During this window, the snow melts from high-altitude trails, alpine lakes are fully accessible, and daytime temperatures hover perfectly between 15C and 25C.
Please note that availability may be limited or supplements may apply during big events. For more information, see our blog, Best time to go to Andorra.
Getting there
FCO up-to-date travel advice on Andorra
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airport for this holiday is Josep Tarradellas Barcelona – El Prat (BCN). The alternative airport is Toulouse-Blagnac (TLS).
By bus
- By own/rental car: guarded parking at hotels in Arinsal. At the end of the tour, to go from Encamp to Arinsal, take the Andorra Bus or a local taxi.
- By bus from and to Barcelona: Andorra Bus (+37 (0) 6803789) – about 4h 15mins. Or Andorra Directbus to/from Andorra La Vella (+37 (0) 6805151) – about 3h 45mins.
- By bus from and to Toulouse: Andorra Bus (+37 (0) 6803789) – about 4h 20mins.
- Private transfer services can be arranged on request.
Inclusions
Included
- 7 nights in 3 and 4-star hotels (private en-suite rooms)
- 7 breakfasts
- 3 dinners
- Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel (one piece of luggage per person, max. 15kg)
- Private transfer on days four and six
- Detailed digital holiday information pack, including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions and maps
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, drinks and snacks
- Dinner in alternate locations
- Any transfers not listed as included
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own.
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Extra nights are available upon request.
