Andorra: surprising nature
15/07/2023
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The Principality of Andorra is a country with its own personality. Although in winter the white mantle of snow covers its mountains and valleys, in summer it allows you to enjoy landscapes of singular beauty. Some views in which without a doubt the mountain is the great protagonist and which are enjoyed by both sports lovers and those who enjoy immersing themselves in nature observing the animals and plants. Today we offer you various points that you can discover on your next trip to the country of the Pyrenees.
INDEX
1. The Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley
2. The Sorteny Valley Natural Park
3. Comapedrosa Valleys Communal Natural Park
4. Path of the ancient trades
5. Naturlandia
6. Viewpoints en route
7. Accessible tourism: Circuit de les Fonts in Engolasters
8. Your operations center
1. The Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley
Declared a World Heritage Site in the category of cultural landscape by Unesco in 2004, the Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley offers splendid landscapes and a great variety of flora and fauna species, some of which are very rare and even endangered. This valley will also surprise you with its cultural heritage: the traditional huts, the recovered shepherd's huts or the delimitation walls of the land, but above all the cobbled path that corresponds to the GR7 and GR11 paths.
Located in the southwest of Andorra and with an extension of 4,247 hectares, it covers the parishes of Andorra la Vella, Escaldes-Engordany, Encamp and Sant Julià de Lòria, occupying 10% of the entire territory of the country. There are numerous possibilities that you can do outdoors in this valley: hiking, horseback riding, climbing and legally regulated hunting and fishing are some of the endless options that become another attraction to visit.
The valley also allows you to discover one of the most attractive routes in the whole country: the Coronallacs route. The 92-kilometer circular hiking route that links the 4 guarded refuges of Andorra, full of spectacular views, passes through this valley. This route can be completed in five days, designed so that we sleep in a shelter every night, it has its starting point in Escaldes-Engordany.
2. The Sorteny Valley Natural Park
With more than 800 species of flowers and plants, the Natural Park is a unique opportunity for those who are in love with nature. Such is its floral richness that, in 2020, Unesco declared it a Biosphere Reserve. The area also has a very rich fauna, in which the chamois, roe deer, marmots and martens that inhabit the park stand out. In addition, in this valley there are also two of the highest mountains in Andorra, the Estanyó and the Serrera.
We will be able to tour this park individually without any problem, but if you want to learn more about any of the many more interesting aspects, you have the option of taking an interpretive path, since guided thematic excursions are organized throughout the year: Birds, Butterflies and Humid areas; Landscapes of Glacier Circuses and Old Forests.
3. Comapedrosa Valleys Communal Natural Park
Within its territory is the Pico del Comapedrosa, the highest peak in the Principality with an altitude of 2,942 meters. Of course, not all the attraction is left by this mountain, since the park surprises with the beauty of the high mountain landscapes, made up of forests, lakes and coats.
Getting to know the Comapedrosa involves walking the trails and visiting its Interpretation Center in Arinsal, where you will find all the information about this natural space. Also, do not miss the opportunity to follow the thematic guided excursions that are carried out: through the Pla de l'Estany and the Walk along the Pollós River. And remember that if you leave this excursion for autumn, you will be amazed by the colors that this season brings to nature.
4. Path of the ancient trades
This route is, surely, the shortest of all that I will propose to you, but just as intense. Throughout its 300-meter length, located in Sant Julià de Lòria, you will be able to observe the sculptural works of Phillipe Lavaill, who through his work represented trades as ancient as, for example, charcoal burner, shepherd or smuggler, those that had the mountain and the forest as a stage. It is a fantastic option for those looking for a family activity and learning about the past of mountain people.
5.Naturland
Undoubtedly, Naturland is the center that you cannot miss on your next visit to the Principality, especially if it is a trip with children... or you still have a child inside you! Although the multiple activities that are offered are already a claim by themselves, from the Tobotronc, the pedal buggy circuit, inflatable castles, trampolines, archery or the Xtrem Jump, this time I am going to talk to you of the Nature Classroom.
The Sant Julià de Lòria park is a true paradise for tourists looking to see animals up close in their natural habitat. And the Nature Classroom is a space for discovering the natural environment of the area, where you can learn to recognize the flora and fauna of the forests.
6. Viewpoints en route
If you decide to tour the Principality of Andorra by car, you will discover that the country's extensive road network offers a very attractive natural environment. That is why various viewpoints have been created, where each point has a particular charm linked to nature. In fact, you will see up to 16 roadside panels designed to help you get to know some of the most beautiful and interesting natural landscapes in the country.
However, for two of these balconies, the Roc del Quer viewpoint (Canillo) and the Roc de Senders viewpoint (Andorra la Vella) you should wear more suitable footwear and walk a few meters into the mountain, since you cannot access with the vehicle. Above all else, enjoy its particular points of interest, such as the alpine meadows (La Roca de la Sabina), the dry stone walls and the mosaic landscape (Encamp), the glaciers (el collet de Montaup) or the fauna of high mountain rivers (els Prats de la Farga), just to cite a few examples.
7. Accessible tourism Les Fonts Circuit in Engolasters
In recent years, the country has adapted to be more accessible to the entire population. Although practically all the activities proposed above are accessible to people in wheelchairs, the first universally accessible Andorran hiking itinerary for blind or partially sighted people has recently been launched.
(Image: VisitAndorra)
A pioneer in Andorra, its implementation was carried out with the technical advice of ONCE, and one of its keys is the use of materials and colors in the areas where there is a change of route to help people with vision problems to anticipate the presence of possible obstacles on the route.
The adapted layout extends for about 1,200 metres, from the Circuito de les Fonts to the Corralets rest point, and is included in a total route of 2.8 km that can be completed in just over an hour and a half. Along the way you will come across 4 natural springs of such beauty that they will be magical: the Ordigues spring, the Molleres spring, the Corralets spring and the Closa spring.
8. Your operations center
City and nature combine to offer numerous leisure and fun options for visitors to Andorra. But it is true that between the excursions you will require a moment for the well-deserved rest. And what better than the options that Daguisa Hotels offers you.
Our establishments have facilities to meet your requirements and needs, and all the staff will offer you exquisite treatment to start your next excursion. That is why I invite you to discover our city hotels (Golden Tulip Andorra Fènix Hotel 4* and Tulip Inn Andorra Delfos Hotel 4*), located in Escaldes-Engordany as possible centers of operations.
You should also assess the options offered by the three mountain hotels (Euroski Mountain Resort Hotel 4*, Hôtels & Préférence Font d'Argent Canillo Hotel 4* and the Hôtels & Préférence Font d'Argent Pas de la Casa Hotel 4*) such as possibilities to stay on your next stay in the Principality.
Lucas Salmes,
Director Font d'Argent Canillo Hotel 4*
INDEX
1. The Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley
2. The Sorteny Valley Natural Park
3. Comapedrosa Valleys Communal Natural Park
4. Path of the ancient trades
5. Naturlandia
6. Viewpoints en route
7. Accessible tourism: Circuit de les Fonts in Engolasters
8. Your operations center
1. The Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley
Declared a World Heritage Site in the category of cultural landscape by Unesco in 2004, the Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley offers splendid landscapes and a great variety of flora and fauna species, some of which are very rare and even endangered. This valley will also surprise you with its cultural heritage: the traditional huts, the recovered shepherd's huts or the delimitation walls of the land, but above all the cobbled path that corresponds to the GR7 and GR11 paths.
Located in the southwest of Andorra and with an extension of 4,247 hectares, it covers the parishes of Andorra la Vella, Escaldes-Engordany, Encamp and Sant Julià de Lòria, occupying 10% of the entire territory of the country. There are numerous possibilities that you can do outdoors in this valley: hiking, horseback riding, climbing and legally regulated hunting and fishing are some of the endless options that become another attraction to visit.
The valley also allows you to discover one of the most attractive routes in the whole country: the Coronallacs route. The 92-kilometer circular hiking route that links the 4 guarded refuges of Andorra, full of spectacular views, passes through this valley. This route can be completed in five days, designed so that we sleep in a shelter every night, it has its starting point in Escaldes-Engordany.
2. The Sorteny Valley Natural Park
With more than 800 species of flowers and plants, the Natural Park is a unique opportunity for those who are in love with nature. Such is its floral richness that, in 2020, Unesco declared it a Biosphere Reserve. The area also has a very rich fauna, in which the chamois, roe deer, marmots and martens that inhabit the park stand out. In addition, in this valley there are also two of the highest mountains in Andorra, the Estanyó and the Serrera.
We will be able to tour this park individually without any problem, but if you want to learn more about any of the many more interesting aspects, you have the option of taking an interpretive path, since guided thematic excursions are organized throughout the year: Birds, Butterflies and Humid areas; Landscapes of Glacier Circuses and Old Forests.
3. Comapedrosa Valleys Communal Natural Park
Within its territory is the Pico del Comapedrosa, the highest peak in the Principality with an altitude of 2,942 meters. Of course, not all the attraction is left by this mountain, since the park surprises with the beauty of the high mountain landscapes, made up of forests, lakes and coats.
Getting to know the Comapedrosa involves walking the trails and visiting its Interpretation Center in Arinsal, where you will find all the information about this natural space. Also, do not miss the opportunity to follow the thematic guided excursions that are carried out: through the Pla de l'Estany and the Walk along the Pollós River. And remember that if you leave this excursion for autumn, you will be amazed by the colors that this season brings to nature.
4. Path of the ancient trades
This route is, surely, the shortest of all that I will propose to you, but just as intense. Throughout its 300-meter length, located in Sant Julià de Lòria, you will be able to observe the sculptural works of Phillipe Lavaill, who through his work represented trades as ancient as, for example, charcoal burner, shepherd or smuggler, those that had the mountain and the forest as a stage. It is a fantastic option for those looking for a family activity and learning about the past of mountain people.
5.Naturland
Undoubtedly, Naturland is the center that you cannot miss on your next visit to the Principality, especially if it is a trip with children... or you still have a child inside you! Although the multiple activities that are offered are already a claim by themselves, from the Tobotronc, the pedal buggy circuit, inflatable castles, trampolines, archery or the Xtrem Jump, this time I am going to talk to you of the Nature Classroom.
The Sant Julià de Lòria park is a true paradise for tourists looking to see animals up close in their natural habitat. And the Nature Classroom is a space for discovering the natural environment of the area, where you can learn to recognize the flora and fauna of the forests.
6. Viewpoints en route
If you decide to tour the Principality of Andorra by car, you will discover that the country's extensive road network offers a very attractive natural environment. That is why various viewpoints have been created, where each point has a particular charm linked to nature. In fact, you will see up to 16 roadside panels designed to help you get to know some of the most beautiful and interesting natural landscapes in the country.
However, for two of these balconies, the Roc del Quer viewpoint (Canillo) and the Roc de Senders viewpoint (Andorra la Vella) you should wear more suitable footwear and walk a few meters into the mountain, since you cannot access with the vehicle. Above all else, enjoy its particular points of interest, such as the alpine meadows (La Roca de la Sabina), the dry stone walls and the mosaic landscape (Encamp), the glaciers (el collet de Montaup) or the fauna of high mountain rivers (els Prats de la Farga), just to cite a few examples.
7. Accessible tourism Les Fonts Circuit in Engolasters
In recent years, the country has adapted to be more accessible to the entire population. Although practically all the activities proposed above are accessible to people in wheelchairs, the first universally accessible Andorran hiking itinerary for blind or partially sighted people has recently been launched.
(Image: VisitAndorra)
A pioneer in Andorra, its implementation was carried out with the technical advice of ONCE, and one of its keys is the use of materials and colors in the areas where there is a change of route to help people with vision problems to anticipate the presence of possible obstacles on the route.
The adapted layout extends for about 1,200 metres, from the Circuito de les Fonts to the Corralets rest point, and is included in a total route of 2.8 km that can be completed in just over an hour and a half. Along the way you will come across 4 natural springs of such beauty that they will be magical: the Ordigues spring, the Molleres spring, the Corralets spring and the Closa spring.
8. Your operations center
City and nature combine to offer numerous leisure and fun options for visitors to Andorra. But it is true that between the excursions you will require a moment for the well-deserved rest. And what better than the options that Daguisa Hotels offers you.
Our establishments have facilities to meet your requirements and needs, and all the staff will offer you exquisite treatment to start your next excursion. That is why I invite you to discover our city hotels (Golden Tulip Andorra Fènix Hotel 4* and Tulip Inn Andorra Delfos Hotel 4*), located in Escaldes-Engordany as possible centers of operations.
You should also assess the options offered by the three mountain hotels (Euroski Mountain Resort Hotel 4*, Hôtels & Préférence Font d'Argent Canillo Hotel 4* and the Hôtels & Préférence Font d'Argent Pas de la Casa Hotel 4*) such as possibilities to stay on your next stay in the Principality.
Lucas Salmes,
Director Font d'Argent Canillo Hotel 4*
