09 Inter-Parish Path

DON’T MISS... DID YOU KNOW? TOPONYMY a visit to the hydroelectric path, where Engolasters lake currently has Meritxell: 09 INTER-PARISH PATH you can learn all the secrets of a a dam to generate hydroelectric From Mereig (from the Latin hydroelectric plant while travelling power (15% of consumption in the meridiem “mid-day”, “sunny”). through time and strolling through country). The lake receives waters Engolasters: (from Sant Miquel de Prats to Sant nature at the same time. from the Valira canal, coming from From the Latin in aquale aster, Ransol, and the Madriu canal, meaning “irrigation channel”. coming from Ràmio. Miquel d’Engolasters) Our Lady of Oxlip Tunnel in Canillo Tunnel in Les Pardines Ecology (Primula elator) The inter-parish route passes through the The alternation of open areas with magnificent parishes of Canillo, Encamp and Escal- panoramic views over the valley and wooded HIKINGIN ANDORRA des-Engordany. Even though it is 11.6 km areas makes it very interesting from a landsca- long, it is practically flat, making it highly pe perspective. advisable for a calm walk with the family. It should be mentioned that this route is In terms of plant life, you will see grassy mea- equipped with resting places and water dows throughout the route, with the most do- points, and that it can be completed whole minant trees being the mountain pine, the Scots or in stretches. pine and the birch. The more substantial vegeta- tion of the understory is made of boxwood, be- This pleasant stroll connects the churches of arberry and alpenrose. Sant Miquel de Prats and Sant Miquel d’En- golasters (a 12th-century Romanesque Lom- As for wildlife, it is easy to hear the singing of bard-style building whose most characteristic the blue tit (Parus caeruleus), a small, 11-cm- architectural feature is its square-shaped bell long bird with a sky blue head and wings and tower with three floors of twin windows) and a yellow breast, and the common wood pige- passes through the Canal path, Les Pardines on (Columba palumbus), a wild relative of the road, which has a botanic garden, and the dove. Grey in colour with white spots on its fountain circuit. sides, this bird is about 40 centimetres long. Stretch of the path 09 andorraworld LOCATION DISTANCE TIME COORDINATES DESCRIPTION TOPOGUIDE DROP 7 ORIENTATION 6.300 m 2h N42 31.711 You’ll pass through a large tunnel. Continue ahead TABLE (+5 m) E1 35.148 to Montuell river and La Molina river. You’ll come VIEWPOINT upon the orientation viewpoint, where there is an 1.635 m unforgettable view of the parish of Encamp. Opposi- CANILLo te is Our Lady of Ecologia. Inter-parish path Inter-parish 8 09. ENGOLAS- 7.620 m 2h 20’ N42 31.345 After observing the plants in the botanic garden, TERS LAKE (-10 m) E1 34.340 you’ll come to a picnic area. The path continues to 1.625 m Engolasters lake. 9 ELS MATXOS 9.280 m 2h 50’ N42 31.050 Follow the forest trail from Engolasters lake until PATH, FOUN- (+5 m) E1 34.256 you reach a road on the left. Continue to the inter- TAIN CIRCUIT section, where you’ll turn to the right. Go down a DATA SHEET * You can return by following the same 1.630 m few metres and take the Els Matxos path. N route, or by taking the Escaldes-Engolasters O E parish bus. For more information contact the 10 S Escaldes-Engordany Tourist Office. SCULPTURE 9.800 m 3h N42 30.856 The fountain circuit swerves to the right. Follow 4h LOCATION DISTANCE TIME COORDINATES DESCRIPTION COMMEMORA- (+15 m) E1 34.064 straight ahead until Les Ordigues fountain. The path DROP TING THE 25th continues on the righthand side over a little climb. 4h 30 min ANNIVERSARY On the left, you’ll find a sculpture on which you can +110 m 1 OF ESCALDES- read a quote from Jacint Verdaguer. PRATS -- -- N42 33.621 Leave the roundabout in the centre of Canillo, ENGOLASTERS -185 m (--) E1 35.629 take the road on the right, and after approximately 1.575 m 1.645 m 11.800 m 1 kilometre you’ll see the Romanesque church of Sant Miquel de Prats in the town of Prats. 11 NO* INTERSECTION 10.160 m 3h 20’ N42 30.528 Follow the circuit to Les Molleres fountain. On the 2 COMING (-15 m) E1 34.198 left, you’ll find some steps. The path continues APPROXIMATE FIRST 550 m 15’ N42 33.431 On the road, about 200 metres ahead, you’ll see a DOWN FROM alongside a construction without walls until the WALKING TIMES VIEWPOINT (+65 m) E1 35.670 small wooden bridge. Cross it. On the right-hand ENGOLASTERS intersection. ROUTE 1.640 m side will be Meritxell path. This is where the first 1.630 m viewpoint is located. SIGNPOSTING 12 3 LA CLOSA 11.100 m 3h 45’ N42 30.576 Afterward, you’ll have to go down through the SECOND 1.200 m 30’ N42 33.120 There is a tunnel before you reach the second view- FOUNTAIN (-110 m) E1 33.885 forest until coming to another picnic area and La VIEWPOINT (+5 m) E1 35.638 point. From here you can see the town and the Sanc- PICNIC AREA Closa fountain. WRONG WAY 1.645 m tuary of Meritxell. On the other side of the road, you’ll 1.520 m see the huts of Molleres. 13 4 CHURCH OF 11.800 m 4h N42 30.701 Take the forest trail on the right until you reach the HUNDRED- 2.350 m 50’ N42 32.607 You’ll pass by a third viewpoint. Up ahead, on the SANT MIQUEL (-20 m) E1 33.624 road, where you’ll turn to the left. Continuing down, YEAR-OLD (-10 m) E1 35.791 right, you’ll see Els Solans path, in the middle of D’ENGOLASTERS you’ll reach the end of the inter-parish path and the SCOTS PINE which stands a hundred-year-old pine tree. 1.500 m church of Sant Miquel d’Engolasters. 1.635 m 5 ROUTE PROFILE ELS 3.950 m 1h 20’ N42 31.984 Cross Els Cortals river over the wooden bridge. CORTALS (+15 m) E1 35.893 Further along, on the left, you’ll take the Allau path. ROAD Soon you’ll come to Els Cortals road. 1.675 m 1.650 m 5 2 3 6 9 10 11 1.650 m 1.625 m 4 7 8 1.600 m 6 1.575 m 1 LES PARDI- 4.460 m 1h 30’ N42 31.812 Descend along the Els Cortals road (CS-220) for 1.550 m NES PATH (-20 m) E1 35.926 about 700 metres until you come to an intersec- 1.525 m 12 1.500 m 13 tion. You’ll have to follow the road, on the left, until 1.630 m 0 2,4 km 4,8 km 7,2 km 9,6 km 12 km you reach Les Pardines path..

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