mountains CONTENTS ANDORRA, NATURE TOURISM 5 Nature protection areas 6 Hiking and long routes 10 Ecotourism routes 12 Lakes 20 Routes on horseback 24 Bicycle touring and mountain bike routes 30 Fishing 34 >>> welcome to the Golf / Pitch & Putt 36 discovery of ANDORRA, ACTIVE TOURISM 38 Andorra Climbs and climbing walls 40 Welcome to discovering Andorra from one of its Via ferratas 45 most attractive aspects: nature, which, in the Canyoning 50 broadest sense, will help you to discover the es- Ski resorts and activities centres 52 sence of a country full of mountains, rivers, lakes, springs, meadows and alpine huts. Grandvalira 53 Vallnord 57 This guide covers the natural parks of Andorra, trips, Naturlandia 61 via ferratas, ecoturism routes and a wide range of Parador Canaro 65 activities suitable for all levels. Palau de Gel 66 If you’re looking for excitement in winter, you can Caldea / Inuú 68 take walks with snowshoes, ride in sleds pulled by 360ºeXtrem 70 dogs, build igloos, ride on snow bikes, practise tele- Companies and organisations 72 mark skiing and ride on snowmobiles. Hiker’s lodgings information 80 The wide range of alpine and cross-country ski re- sorts and the great variety and quality of comple- mentary skiing and leisure activities make the Princi- 81 pality of Andorra a top-notch destination. GENERAL INFORMATION Collection of publications 83 NATIONAL TOURIST OFFICE C. Dr. Vilanova, 13 AD500 Andorra la Vella Tel. (+376) 820 214 Fax: (+376) 825 823 [email protected] www.visitandorra.com 2 nature tourism www.visitandorra.com 3 ANDORRA, NATURE TOURISM Nature protection areas 6 Hiking and long routes 10 Ecotourism routes 12 Lakes 20 >>> Andorra, a nature Routes on horseback 24 destination Bicycle touring and mountain bike routes 30 Andorra, with its 468 km2, is the most extensive of the small states of Europe. Fishing 34 The land is mostly mountainous and is composed of valleys and peaks that soar nearly 3,000 m above sea level such as Comapedrosa peak (2,942 m), the hig- Golf / Pitch & Putt 36 hest summit in Andorra, and Estanyó peak (2,916 m). The lakes are one of the most significant scenic treasu- res in the country, and many are found inside Andorra’s two natural parks. You can get to know our topography by delving into the Andorran countryside and discovering the great diversity of plant life all around. Follow old paths by foot or on horseback, either alone or in the company of our professionals. 4 nature tourism www.visitandorra.com 5 Encamp Nature protection areas Andorra la Vella discover dry Sant Julià de Lòria Vall del Madriu- stone Escaldes-Engordany Perafita-Claror Whatever route you choose through the Madriu- Perafita-Claror valley, you’ll find old shepherd ca- bins recently restored in a traditional way, plots of land enclosed by walls that once contained vege- table gardens, huts and grazing areas for livestock, etc. In the summer, don’t forget to spend a night in any of the three refuges located in the valley. The stone-paved pathway of the Madriu-Perafita- Claror valley, which corresponds to some sections of the GR7 (GR footpath) and GR11 (GR footpath), constitutes one of the more eminently characteris- tic aspects of this cultural landscape. · www.encamp.ad · turisme.andorralavella.ad · www.santjulia.ad/turisme · www.e-e.ad >>> nature protection areas In 2004, UNESCO declared this valley World Heritage in the category of cultural landscape, which only covers 84 areas in the world. This is the name given to regions that are unique as the result of the combined action of man and nature. The Madriu-Perafita-Claror valley is located in the southeast of the Principality of Andorra and covers 4,247 ha. This region accounts for almost 10% of the surface area of the country, extending to the pa- rishes of Encamp, Andorra la Vella, Sant Julià de Lòria and Escaldes- Engordany. This valley is the most important secondary river basin in the country. It runs 12 kilometres from end to end, with a difference in elevation of 1,855 m between the lowest point (near the town of Escaldes-En- gordany, standing at 1,050 m) and the highest one (on the summit of La Portelleta, at 2,905). This valley is also home to animal and plant species that are very rare or in danger of extinction. 6 nature tourism www.visitandorra.com 7 Ordino Nature protection areas La Massana La vall de Sorteny The Valleys of Comapedrosa Natural Park Communal Natural Park La vall de Sorteny Natural Park, located in the parish The Valleys of Comapedrosa Communal Natural Park is of Ordino, is a botanical paraise with more than 700 located in the northwest of the Principality of Andorra, in species of flowers and plants, some of them unique the parish of La Massana. The protected surface area is to the Pyrenees. Despite its relatively small surface 1,542.6 ha, and its highest point is Comapedrosa peak, area, Sorteny valley is very rich in terms of wildlife. which at 2,942 m above sea level is the tallest in Andorra. The chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica), roe deer (Ca- preolus capreolus) and wild boar (Sus scrofa) are the The main attractions in the area are found in the imposing, most frequent. high-mountain landscape, with lakes, waterfalls, springs… Sorteny valley is of singular interest from scientific, The park has an extensive network of pathways –including historical and educational, but also aesthetic, scenic an interpretative path which is apt for all ages– and three and recreational points of view. In a small mountain huts, one of which, Compedrosa, is guarded, and provi- country like Andorra and despite its modest size at des restaurant and lodging facilities during the summer 1,080 hectares, this park helps to conserve biodiver- months. sity and to preserve the natural and cultural heritage of the Pyrenees beyond its borders. Tel. Caseta del Parc (+376) 647 021 (summer only) www.comapedrosa.ad www.sorteny.ad Tel. 835 693 - [email protected] www.lamassana.ad 8 nature tourism www.visitandorra.com 9 >>> hiking and long routes LDP (Long Distance Path): a 120 km long path for discovering the essen- ce of the least known areas of Andorra. The path is divided into seven sta- ges between 12 and 20 km in length, designed according to the location of the 29 huts (3 of which are guarded) and allowing for a walking pace that permits unlimited enjoyment of the natural surroundings. With the purchase of the path guides Andorra GRP, la volta a tot un país (Andorra LDT, a path across the country) and the Mapa de refugis i camins de gran recorregut d’Andorra (Hut and long distance path map of Andorra) there is no excuse for not getting the most out of Andorra’s mountains. If you want to take a walk with your family, we suggest the guide Ca- 2 LDP (long distance path that includes international borders): The Three mins d’Andorra (Trails of Andorra), which covers 54 routes by foot Nations route and the Lake Tour route. among the rich and varied settings of our mountains, especially Andorra’s two natural parks, one of which was declared World Herita- PHR (Pyrenean High Level Route): with a cumulative elevation gain of ge by UNESCO in 2004. The routes are indicated on the ground with 2565 m and a loss of 2770 m. different paint marks or with wooden signs that can be found in the book’s legend. The data sheets are practical and manageable, with GR-7: with a difference in elevation of almost 2,000 m between the highest specific data on each route’s features, a detailed topoguide and lots point (2,840 m at Pessons pass) and the lowest point (850 m at La Farga of graphic information. de Moles), the GR-7 crosses Andorra from the eastern side to the southern side. The path forms part of the European E-4 (Tarifa-Sparta), which is 40 km Delve into nature accompanied by expert guides who will show you long as it passes through Andorra. the secrets of the mountains of Andorra. You’ll be able to comple- te ecotourism routes that will help you to expand your knowledge of GR-11 (Great Pyrenees Route): also known as the Pyrenees Path (“Senda the flora, fauna, culture and traditions of Andorra, and to discover the Pirenaica”) the GR-11 is a long-distance route in 47 stages. It crosses the most surprising places. More info: www.agamandorra.com. Pyrenees along their southern slope from the Bay of Biscay (Cape Higuer) to the Mediterranean (Cape Creus) and climbs to the Andorran valleys. Another way of discovering Andorra on foot is by hiking EL CAMI (THE PATH): a cultural hiking route which takes in all the Catalan speaking In Andorra, the GR-11 begins at 2,545 m above sea level near Vallcivera regions and islands on a cross-country trail. pass and ends at Baiau pass, at 2,756 m. As a novelty, you may now download for your smarphone “Andorra Active Tourism”, where you will find a wide variety of surprising nature and active tourism options all year round. 10 nature tourism www.visitandorra.com 11 Canillo 1. The “Aigües Tortes” of Siscaró Siscaró lake, with a surface area of one hectare, is at 2,325 m above sea level in Incles valley, which nestles in pronounced relief due to the movements of Quaternary glaciers. More information: Canillo Tourist Office (pg. 81). Canillo 2. The latest newcomer- to Canillo, the marmot >>> ecotourism routes This route will take you to discover Ransol valley and the secrets of its flora and fauna.