AndorraDiscover Explore this unique mountain paradise 54 breathtaking HIKING TRAILS Get 200km active of cycle routes in the 300km Pyrenees of ski runs Inspiring outdoor adventures 65 Summits over 2,000m FRANCE El Serrat Soldeu Canillo Ordino Pas de La Massana la Casa Encamp Escaldes-Engordany Andorra la Vella Sant Julià de Lòria SPAIN /andorraworld @andorraworld_ad visitandorra.com 2 visitandorra.com Welcome to Andorra ALMOST HIDDEN on the border between France and Spain, the tiny principality of Andorra is a land of steep narrow valleys, soaring peaks and mountain lakes. With 65 summits over 2,000m high, this tiny jewel of the Pyrenees is a popular winter choice for skiers drawn to its breathtaking slopes, yet the rugged landscape and sub-Mediterranean climate make Andorra an ideal summer destination for active travellers. Europe’s 6th smallest country at just 182 square miles, it’s a nature-lover’s paradise with forest covering 90 per cent of the terrain and three protected areas, threaded by some of Europe’s most beautiful and less-travelled trails. Walkers of all levels will delight in stunning mountain views, rare plants and wildlife, and historic Romanesque ruins that refl ect 1,000 years of rich cultural heritage. For mountain bike lovers from beginner to pro rider, there’s an abundance of dedicated cycle circuits and thrilling downhill routes, plus two bike parks. Adrenalin seekers can also make the most of other blood-pumping mountain sports, such as via ferrata, climbing, canyoning, zip wires and horse riding. visitandorra.com 3 Walk on high Small enough to drive through in under an hour, Andorra off ers some of the best hiking in Europe, with trails that allow you to discover the culture, history and landscapes of this rugged country. The offi cial guide (at visitandorra.com) has 54 well-marked trails, from short and easy, to long and testing, staying overnight in a mountain hut. Must-hike routes include the picturesque hour- long stroll to Tristaina Lakes and the Grand Route de Pays, an epic 60-mile circuit that’ll keep you busy for up to a week. Five reasons to EXPLORING explore Andorra Spectacular hiking, adrenalin-pumping cycle trails and superb skiing make Andorra a mountain-lover’s paradise. Stunning natural wonders and a rich cultural heritage complete an unforgettable experience. Hit the slopes Heaven on two wheels Reliable, high-altitude skiing and tax-free shopping make Andorra Andorra is fast gaining a reputation ideal for a good-value ski holiday. as a hotspot for mountain bikers, With 300km of slopes and 183 with 200km of trails and two great runs, you’re never far from a bike parks – at Grandvalira-Soldeu ski resort. Each has its own and Vallnord. Vallnord is the biggest unique feel with Pas de la Casa bike park in southern Europe, while having the full-on party vibe and Grandvalira, carved into the slopes Arinsal more laid-back. Perfect of the ski resort, is a mecca for for beginners and intermediates freeride, enduro and cross-country. especially, it has award-winning Road cyclists can ride some of the ski schools, modern, effi cient Pyrenees’ most spectacular routes, lifts, and accommodation to suit including the epic climb up to Arcalis all tastes and budget. – a famous Tour de France fi nish. 4 visitandorra.com Nature meets history All-year-round action Andorra has a rich heritage made up of beautiful Andorra’s active pursuits don’t stop at walking EXPLORING Romanesque churches, museums and themed routes, or biking. Don’t miss the chance to pit your mind with each of the country’s seven parishes off ering its and body on the via ferrata or ‘iron roads’. A own cultural circuit combining local history, nature and challenging combination of hiking and climbing, Andorran culture. The country is also home to some these prepared trails incorporate rung ladders of Europe’s rarest fl ora, as well as a variety of wildlife scaling sheer cliff s, awkward overhangs and wire including brown bear, eagles, vultures and wolves. The and rope bridges spanning dizzying drops. For three beautiful protected areas of Andorra’s national another cool adrenalin rush, try canyoning – a parks are wonderful places to discover this rich biodi- mix of abseils, water slides and jumps among the versity, with one, Sorteny Valley Nature Park, home to ravines of Segudet. more than 700 species of fl owers and plants. Fun princes as its offi cial Facts rulers – the President Andorra has the of France and the world’s• longest life Bishop of Urgel expectancy – 85 in Spain. years! Peace-loving At just 80,000, Andorra• has never the• country’s total been in a war in population would almost 1,000 years. not even fi ll Wembley Stadium! Andorra is the only country• in the world A co-principality, it with Catalan as its has• two ‘foreign’ offi cial language. visitandorra.com 5 HIKING Heaven for hikers 6 visitandorra.com The spectacular Pyrenean backdrop of Andorra off ers some of Europe’s most beautiful walks. These vary from easy to tough, allowing walkers of all levels to enjoy the mountains. Gentle trails, such as the route through the picturesque Incles Valley – perhaps Andorra’s prettiest – off er dazzling displays of wallfl owers and pass lush meadows where cattle and horses graze. More demanding hikes cover rough terrain where your reward is a stunning panoramic view. Along many of the routes lie refugis: there are 27 of these traditional mountain huts providing shelter and accommodation to hikers, with many completely free. For those who want to rest their head further down the mountain, Andorra’s pretty towns off er a good range of trekker-friendly accommodation. You can also pitch a tent at one of the country’s nine offi cial campsites. HIKING Andorra’s three protected areas each have their own character: in the UNESCO World Five Heritage-listed Madriu-Perafi ta-Claror glacial valley, mountain huts, ‘bordas’, paths and the Top remains of ancient forges are reminders of the mountain resources used by Andorrans for more than 700 years. Comapedrosa Trails Nature Park, is home to Andorra’s highest peak the 2,942m Comapedrosa and its El Siscaró - Estany de Baix summit off ers great views into both neighbouring France and Spain. The third, Distance: 7.2km Elevation: 500m Sorteny Valley, is home to more than 700 Time: 3hrs round trip Diffi culty: Moderate species of fl owers and plants. THIS steady climb takes you to the Siscaró lake at Five Grand Routes cross the Andorran 2,325m. This is one of three lakes accessible from the mountains, exploring most of its hidden end of the Incles Valley. The others are the Juclà and corners. Four of these cross the French and the Cabana Sorda. If you’re lucky you’ll see the odd Spanish borders, while the Grand Route de marmot on the screes. A large variety of birds also live Pays encircles the whole country. there, such as the water pipit, the alpine accentor and the northern wheatear, and mammals such as squirrels LESS epic, but no less interesting, Andorra’s and roe deer. One unusual feature of the lake is its reeds, seven parishes also have themed walks such which give the water a diff erent tone of blue and the as Ordino’s Iron Route, which off ers an lake its name (from sesca, meaning reed). insight into the country’s cultural heritage, TOP TIP: Don’t miss tasting a typical Andorran through old iron mines and mills. dish, such as Andorran-style trout or soup, in one of the typical mountain restaurants, or bordas. visitandorra.com 7 “Where else can you walk around a whole country in a week?” HIKING The Pessons Cirque Pic de Comapedrosa Distance: 6km Elevation: 707m Distance: 15.5km Elevation: 1,361m Time: 5hrs Diffi culty: Medium Time: 7hrs Diffi culty: Very diffi cult A BEAUTIFUL walk taking in seven lakes. It AT 2.942m the Comapedrosa is Andorra’s starts from the car park of the Grandvalira ski highest peak. The best time to climb it is from resort in Grau Roig, and off ers some wonderful the end of May to October, not just because panoramas of lakes and mountains. You might it’s more accessible, but the spring and autumn hear the distinctive screeching of the marmots colours are so striking. The route passes before the path zigzags up to the Pessons several mountain huts along the way, including mountain pass, off ering a fantastic view of all the very comfortable Comapedrosa mountain of the lakes together. This hike is possible for hut. It’s an out and back route, so you anyone to do, but is best tackled by the well- come down the same way you went up. As you prepared hiker. walk it’s worth refl ecting that the mountains of TOP TIP: Don’t miss... a visit to Casa this remote valley were passages for fugitives Cristo, which off ers you the unique during the Second World War. opportunity to see how it was to live in TOP TIP: Watch out for the magnifi cent a humble Andorran home from the 19th sight of bearded vultures soaring on the century to middle of the 20th. thermals. 8 visitandorra.com GRP Andorra: The Grand Route de Pays Distance: 110km Elevation: 8,290m Time: 7 days Diffi culty: Diffi cult WHERE else can you walk around a whole country in a week? The 100km hiking route is divided into seven stages of around 14km each, following hiking routes of varying diffi culty and terrain.