Hiking route: Itinerari de l'Estany Blau

Ruta de Senderisme: Itinerari de l'Estany Blau

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Distance

21 km

Level

Very difficult

Height difference

+1.150 m / -1.150 m

With a surface area of 2.1 hectares, despite its name, the water of l’Estany Blau (the Blue Lake) is somewhat murky-looking and has more of a greenish tinge to it.

This technical and very strenuous route allows you to discover the Madriu Valley, which features a wide variety of natural habitats offering an extensive showcase of the Principality’s ecosystems. Three natural environments can be distinguished in the Madriu Valley: low, medium and high mountains

This is a circular route that starts and ends 6.2 km along the Carretera d’Engolasters road (from Escaldes-Engordany), just next to a car park. There you’ll find an informative sign showing the GR 11, the Camí dels Matxos (mule path), which is the one you’ll be following.

You’ll start gently along the flat wide track until you reach the Coll Jovell path. At this point, take the path on the left, being careful not to confuse it with the Solà de Ràmio path. Here you’ll have a steep climb which lasts the whole ascent. You’ll cross forest areas and rocky sections until you get to Tossa del Braibal, where you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular view over the Madriu Valley.

Once you’ve crossed this peak, continue south-east along the ridge and the first technical section, which is exposed to the elements until you reach Cap dels Agols. Look out for the yellow dots to take the downhill path to a small pass where you’ll now enjoy a bird’s eye view over Estany Blau.

After a rest by the lake, you’ll have a small climb taking you to the Madriu path, following the yellow dots. Keep on the GR route along the bottom of the valley towards the Fontverd refuge. Continue descending down along the valley until you come to the crossroads that leads to Ràmio, where you’ll divert upwards along the Camí dels Matxos (mule path) to the Coll Jovell pass. Here, you can retrace your steps on the path back along the Fonts circuit to the car park where you started the route.

For your safety, we recommend you do the routes at altitudes of over 1,700 metres between the end of June and the end of September. However, if the weather and terrain conditions allow it, the season may extend from May to October.

You will find further details of this and other routes in the Hiking guide Trails of Andorra.

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