Andorra > Walking in the snow

Today is an optional day on the program. Some fellow travelers are going rafting just over the Spanish border. Others are hiking the Red Roosters trail to Canillo. I decide to join a mountain hike to the mountain lakes of Estanys de Siscaró—a challenging walk to an altitude of over 2,500 meters.

Andorra - Mapping out the route on the map

At breakfast, the rafters are already ready to leave. At half past nine, I leave the hotel with two fellow travelers and Bert as our guide. I walk behind the hotel and take a grassy path that slopes upward. The weather is sunny with a clear blue sky. Unfortunately, the sun hasn’t dried the grass yet, and my shoes quickly get wet. Soon my socks are damp as well. I climb steadily. It takes some getting used to being the slowest today. The other three walk ahead slowly. It’s important to maintain your own pace when climbing. I’ll see them again when they take a break. Behind me, the village of Soldeu becomes smaller and smaller. As I gain height, I also see more of the higher ski area of Soldeu. From a distance, the ski slopes don’t look very long or steep. I wonder what it looks like in winter. The grassy path turns into a forest path and rises sharply. Eventually, I reach the tree line and continue climbing through the bare valley. In the distance, I see a snowy area. Bert points out that this is the mountain pass we will cross.

Andorra - Walking across a snowfield at 2500 metres altitude

Although the snowfield is clearly visible, the route toward it is more challenging than I expected. It’s farther than I thought. After two and a half hours of ascent, I reach the snow. I step carefully to avoid slipping, stamping my shoes diagonally into the white mass. On top of the snow, I have a view of the deep Soldeu valley. In the distance, I can see the mountains of Canillo and beyond. The visibility is excellent today. On the other side of the snow, I look out at the mountain lakes of Estanys de Siscaró. Two deep blue lakes lie in the depths, surrounded by mountain peaks. Bert and I agree that this must be the most beautiful view in Andorra. I unpack my lunch and enjoy the scenery. The weather is wonderful, and I’m in no hurry today. After lunch, I descend into the basin toward the lakes—a steep, rocky descent. At the lake, the scenery is so beautiful that I pause again. Gorgeous flowers fill the valley. The path descends gently.

Andorra - The beautiful location of the mountain lakes Estanys de Siscaro

I return along this path to the Val d’Incles, where I also ended up yesterday. Across the valley, I can see the peaks I climbed yesterday, as well as the steep, long, rocky descent. Now I’m at the top of the slope on the opposite side of the valley. I follow the valley while staying at altitude. The path runs through the forest and is mostly downhill. In the final stretch toward Soldeu, I climb to the ridge to descend the other side to Soldeu, avoiding the need to walk the entire valley as I did yesterday. The path leads me right behind the hotel in Soldeu. The sun is still shining. I sink into a chair on the terrace and have a drink. In the afternoon, I pack my travel bag for the return flight to the Netherlands. Tomorrow morning, I’ll be picked up at half past three for a transfer to Barcelona Airport—a short night, indeed. In the evening, I go out to eat with the entire travel group. It’s the last evening of the trip. I dine at Koestal, a restaurant under the nightclub diagonally behind the hotel. In the cozy atmosphere, we toast to the wonderful trip. On behalf of the group, I thank Bert for his enthusiastic guidance throughout the journey. After dinner, I quickly return to my room and set my alarm for the early start tomorrow.