Hiking route: Coronallacs

Coronallacs is one of the physically most demanding mountain routes in the Pyrenees. That’s why it’s of utmost importance that you are well equipped and prepared before setting out on your journey, making sure to continuously check for any changes in the weather conditions.

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Distance

92 km

Level

Very difficult

Height difference

+6.449 m / -6.449 m

Coronallacs is a circular route which links all four of the Principality’s manned shelters. The 92 km-long route is designed for you to spend a night at each of the shelters, where you’ll be able to recharge your batteries and get some well-deserved rest.

You’ll be able to take in amazing panoramic views along the entire trail, as the route crosses high mountain terrain. It is divided into five stages ranging between 13 and 22 km each, with an average of 18.4 km/day. It follows hiking trails that vary in difficulty and length, and nights are spent in Andorra's four manned high-mountain shelters.

The route departs from the town of Escaldes-Engordany and passes through Encamp, Canillo, Ordino and La Massana, ending at the starting point in Escaldes.

Stages:

1: Escaldes-Engordany town center – L'Illa shelter
Depart from Escaldes-Engordany (Tourist Office) crossing La Tosca bridge. Follow the GR7 path to directly enter the Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley, declared a UNESCO Cultural Landscape World Heritage Site in 2004. Continue on to Entremesaigües, the stone farm buildings ('bordes') at Ràmio (site of cultural interest), Fontverd and La Farga (site of cultural interest due to its iron working past).

This is the lowest and most forested part of the trail, where you will find mountain pines and deciduous trees.

Between Fontverd and the River Els Orris, there are chamois, wild boar, mouflon and marmots.

You will reach Pla de l'Ingla, a large meadow from where you can see the Estall Serrer mountains, the Setut pass, Portelleta peak, which border Spain (with the mountain Tossa Plana de Lles), as well as the Civera Valley pass following the GR11 path. Just before reaching the L'Illa shelter, you can see La Bova lake, Rodó lake and finally L'Illa lake – all of which are good for fishing – while around the shelter itself, you can also see the lakes known as Encamp and El Forcat.

Stay overnight at the L'Illa shelter (2,488 m). It is also possible to stay an extra night to do excursions to the surrounding lakes. Since there is no light pollution, this is a good place for stargazing.

Make sure you have enough water and food when setting off.

Stage distance: 12.6 km. Height difference: +1,473 m / -40 m. Estimated time: 6h38. Difficulty: moderate.

2: L'Illa shelter – Juclà shelter
This route gives you views over all of Andorra, especially the Envalira, Siscaró and Incles Valleys.

After leaving the L'Illa shelter, go up to the Pessons pass (2,810 m), one of the highest points from where you can see the cirque with the Pessons lakes (you can see and will pass 7 of the 12 lakes). Descend slightly to the Pla de les Pedres shelter, within the domain of Grandvalira, from where you will descend until reaching the 'bordes' at Envalira (on the CG-2 road).

Ascend to the Port Dret pass, which has views of France as well as Andorra and the Soldeu and Siscaró Valleys. Next, there is a descent to the Siscaró shelter passing through the Siscaró river bend area (one of the few in Andorra). The section from Siscaró to Juclà is rockier and more technical, although without difficulties. Stay overnight at the Juclà shelter (2,310 m), where you can watch the sun rise through the Coll de l'Alba saddle.

Make sure you have enough water and food when setting off.

Stage distance: 19.4 km. Height difference: +1,350 m / -1,527 m. Estimated time: 10h35. Difficulty: moderate - high.

3: Juclà shelter – Sorteny shelter
Leave the shelter and pass through the remnants of what was once a cabin for the workers from FHASA (Hydroelectric Forces of Andorra) who worked on the Juclà dam. After passing the River Manegó, head straight to Cabana Sorda lake, where you can see the gneiss 'terraces', small cliffs in the Anrodat area. From Cabana Sorda lake, head towards the Cabana Sorda mountains, passing between the Coma de Varilles peak and Tosa de Carraup. You can enjoy the views from 2,600 m up at the Collada de Cabana Sorda pass.

Descend slightly along Coma de Varilles to the Coms de Jan shelter, from where you can see the Ransol Valley, where there is a hunting ground and chamois can be spotted. Next, ascend a bit to the Collada dels Meners pass, passing by the lake of the same name. The route to follow to Sorteny is clearly visible from here; you can't miss it and you can enjoy views towards the two valleys, Sorteny ahead and Ransol behind.

Descend from Collada dels Meners (the descent from here goes between the La Serrera peak and L'Estanyó peak, the fourth and fifth highest in Andorra, respectively) and enter through the eastern side of the Sorteny Valley. The area's iron-working past is evident here, with iron-rich soil from which iron ore was extracted (Iron Route).

Descend to the Sorteny shelter (1,965 m) to stay overnight.

If you arrive in good time, you can visit the botanical garden, go butterfly spotting, etc. or, if you arrive without much time, you can spend an extra night and make the most of the attractions on offer in the Sorteny Valley Natural Park.

Make sure you have enough water and food when setting off.

Stage distance: 16.9 km. Height difference: +1,425 m / -1,771 m. Estimated time: 10h18. Difficulty: moderate - high.

4: Sorteny shelter – Comapedrosa shelter
Leave the Sorteny shelter and descend to the villages of El Serrat and Llorts (going along the Camí Ral track and passing Les Salines, home to the trout farm that supplies the country). Now there is a steep ascent to Clot del Cavall (a relatively short but intense ascent), passing by the L'Angonellla shelter and lake.

Next, enter the parish of La Massana and descend slightly to the Fonts shelter and the Pla de l'Estany, passing Font Podrida hill. This leads to the foot of Comapedrosa mountain, fully entering Valls del Comapedrosa Natural Park. Head towards Aigüesjuntes and from there, set off for the final section before reaching the Comapedrosa shelter along the shaded Els Aspres path. Stay overnight at the Comapedrosa shelter (2,265 m).

Stage distance: 21.9 km. Height difference: +1,904 m / -1,608 m. Estimated time: 11h13. Difficulty: high.

5: Comapedrosa shelter – Escaldes-Engordany
Final stage of the route. The first rays of the sun hit the peak of Comapedrosa (the highest in Andorra at 2,942 m), with amazing views once the sun rises.

Leave the Comapedrosa shelter and ascend to Portella de Sanfons, the limit of the border with Spain. From here, there are spectacular views of the Aneto and Pica d'Estats mountains. Head towards the Port Vell and Port Negre passes and the Coll de la Botella saddle (a chamois hunting ground) within the Pal Arinsal ski slopes.  Enter the forest area, where you can see wood grouse, squirrels, roe deer, etc.

Go towards the Tossal Momó hill and continue on to the Collada de Montaner pass, where you can see the Ós de Civís Valley in the distance.

Descend through Els Cortals de Sispony, where you can observe high-mountain agricultural activity (barley, tobacco), and to the north, you can see the north side of the Enclar hunting ground, as well as the granite scree ahead of where the water flows, with the imposing ridge that runs from the Carroi Peak to the Bony de la Pica Peak.

Pass the 'bordes' at Els Cortals, which lead to the town of Sispony along the Camí de Fenerols track, where you can visit the Casa Rull Museum and enjoy Andorran mountain cuisine in one of the towns that has kept its original architectural structure. Follow the stone path to cross the River Muntaner up to the Camí de la Birrena track, passing just alongside Andorra la Vella's water catchments. From here, take the Camí Ral track leading to the capital city. Continue along the Rec del Solà irrigation canal up to the Col·legi Sant Ermengol school (you must cross the courtyard) and descend down a narrow stone path to Els Escalls bridge (site of cultural/heritage interest), passing Caldea, until reaching the route's starting point.

Stage distance: 21.4 km. Height difference: +716 m / -1,922 m. Estimated time: 9h17. Difficulty: moderate.

More information and booking at www.coronallacs.com

Access the Map of shelters and long distance trails in Andorra with all of the details of the route.
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