Andorra Adventure Travel Guide

Introducing Andorra (Continued...)

ous rivers and 172 lakes. The country has an average altitude of 1996m, with its highest point being the peak of Coma Pedrosa, at 2942m. Given its location, Andorra’s temperate climate is very similar to its two neighbours, France and Spain. However, Andorra does tend to be less humid and cooler in summer, and receives more snow in winter due to its high altitude. Temperatures in the winter drop to around 5C, while in the heat of summer you can experience pleasant temperatures in the mid-20s. Rainfall is more common in the summer months of May through to September.

Andorra is only 468 sq km so it doesn’t take too long to travel between its hotspots, especially if you hire a car. This can give you all the more time to enjoy your visit, rather than being stuck on public transport. It is home to a population of only 74,000, although its tourist trade gives it a busier feel. The capital of this tiny country, Andorra la Vella, has about 21,000 inhabitants and is definitely a place to check out.

Skiing

Considering Andorra’s environment, skiing is a must-do activity when you visit. Popular resorts include Arinsal and the smaller Pal, which can be conveniently found about 10km north-west of the country’s capital city Andorra la Vella. These two resorts have great snow conditions for skiing, and Arinsal has a pretty lively après-ski culture - a great way to relax after a day on the slopes! Canillo and Soldeu are also good places to get in some quality skiing, and can also be found within close proximity to Andorra la Vella, about 11km to the north-east. Soldeu in particular is a great place for beginners to try their hand on the slopes, with lots of blue runs to practise that snow-plough! Soldeu doesn’t have the greatest runs for experienced skiers, however with the right conditions there is some great off-piste to explore. Recently, the ski resorts of Andorra have received massive investment, which it spent on gondolas, chairlifts and snow-making machines as well as mountain cafes and restaurants, making your stay here even better.

Snowboarding

There are plenty of resorts to try for great snowboarding conditions. Head to Pas de la Casa, Andorra’s highest resort, found near the French border. Here you can find some gentle nursery slopes for the less confident, and at the top of the chairlifts a plethora of pistes to suit intermediate and more advanced boarders. There are also plenty of bars in Pas de la Casa to keep your après-ski needs satisfied – welcome to the party town of Andorra! El Tarter is another popular destination for snow lovers, with its wide open slopes being perfect for cruising down the mountain at speed, and for building beginners’ confidence.

Walking

During the summer months, when all the snow has melted, Andorra invites a different type of guest to its winter activities: walkers. Check out the town Ordino, where you can find many great routes to walk, from lazy strolls where you can appreciate the landscape in a relaxed atmosphere, to far more demanding hikes up Andorra’s peaks. Try the trail from Arinsal which leads north-west towards the beautiful Estany de les Truites lake at 2260m. The ski resort Soldeu is also home to a number of walking trails to keep you entertained and marvelling at the beautiful scenery.

Classic Itineraries

Andorra doesn’t have an airport, so if you want to visit, you are going to have to fly to Spain or France and make your way from there. If you make your way from France, first stop should be the capital Andorra la Vella. Here you can check out the busiest of Andorra’s towns, with beautiful scenery and a lot of shopping! Next, it’s time to get your dose of snow-related fun, so head to the Grandvalira region and namely Pas de la Casa. This is the highest resort in Andorra, so receives some of the best snow conditions in the country and has plenty of adrenaline-fuelled runs to get your heart racing! Here you can ski or snowboard, or even try your hand at some other activities such as snow-kiting or snowmobiling. You can hire a snowmobile in the neighbouring town Port d'Envalira, which runs excursions through Pas de la Casa. After this you can either head back to France or continue to travel through Andorra South towards Spain, following the Gran Valira River across the border, and head to Barcelona for your flight home. But you’re not done yet, as Andorra demands a repeat visit in the summer months, when the mountainous landscape takes on a completely different look, and offers up new challenges.

Other Activities

There is plenty to do in Andorra besides shushing down ski-runs and jumping off kickers. The beautiful Pyrenees Mountains are home to some incredible wildlife and adventure sports alike. In summer Pal offers a wealth of activities including mountain biking, horse riding, go-karting and archery. Another way to take advantage of summer in the Pyrenees is to head to its rivers for some watersports, as all the snow melts and creates great conditions for kayaking.