Coronallacs Trail

The first stage takes you from Escaldes-Engordany to the Illa Refuge. From the tourist office, the path crosses La Tosca bridge and follows the GR7 all the way to the Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley – a UNESCO Cultural Landscape World Heritage Site. It continues to Entremesaigües until it reaches the mountain chalets in Ràmio and the Fontverd Refuge.

Between Fontverd and the River Els Orris, you might be able to spot some wildlife, such as chamois, wild boar, mouflon, and marmots if you’re lucky. From the large meadow of Pla de l’Ingla, you can see the Estall Serrer mountains, the Setut pass, and Portelleta Peak, as well as the Civera Valley pass. Short before the L’Illa hut, the trail comes across the first lakes, which also surround the hut. Since there is no light pollution, make sure to watch the stars. It is also worth it to stay an extra night to explore the nearby lakes.

From L’Illa hut, the path climbs up to the Pessons pass. At 2810m (9216 ft), this is the highest point of the whole trail. From here, it is possible to see the Pessons lakes. A descent leads to the Pla de les Pedres shelter and will continue until you reach Envalira. It is followed by an ascent to the Port Dret pass, which offers stunning views of not only Andorra but also France and the Soldeu, as well as the Siscaró Valleys. The next descent leads, past the Siscaró hut, to the Juclà hut. It is highly recommended to watch the sunrise through the Coll de l’Alba saddle.

The third stage continues from Juclà hut to Sorteny hut. You will first pass the remnants of a cabin and the River Manegó before you head to the Cabana Sorda lake and mountains. The trail continues between the Coma de Varilles peak, Tosa de Carraup, and up the Collada de Cabana Sorda pass, with beautiful views. Afterward, it descends slightly along Coma de Varilles to the Coms de Jan hut before it ascends to the Collada dels Meners pass and lakes. From here, it is possible to see the upcoming part of the trail as well as the two surrounding valleys. From Collada dels Meners, the trail descends into the Sorteny Valley and to the hut with the same name. If you have time and energy left, you can visit the botanical gardens or enjoy some butterfly spotting.

From the Sorteny hut, the next day starts with a descent to the villages of El Serrat and Llorts. It is followed by a short but steep ascent, past the L’Angonellla shelter and lake, to Clot del Cavall. Afterward, it comes along La Massana and descends slightly to the Fonts hut and the Pla de l’Estany before it leads all the way to the foot of Comapedrosa mountain and the Valls del Comapedrosa Natural Park. Follow there, the trail follows the signs towards Aigüesjuntes until you reach the Comapedrosa hut.

The fifth and last stage leads from the Comapedrosa hut all the way back to the town of Escaldes-Engordany. First, the trail ascends to Portella de Sanfons, with spectacular views of the Aneto and Pica d’Estats mountains. Then, it heads towards the Port Vell and Port Negre passes and the Coll de la Botella saddle. Next, it leads slowly back down til it reaches the forest. It continues on to the Collada de Montaner pass and descends through Els Cortals de Sispony, which leads to the town of Sispony. Afterward, you will follow the La Grella road, cross the River Muntaner, and continue up to the Camí de la Birrena road.

From there, you will take the Camí Ral track, which leads to the capital city. The trail continues along the Rec del Solà up to the school of Sant Ermengol, where you have to cross the playground and descend down to Els Escalls bridge. You will pass Caldea before you will finally return to the starting point.

The best time to hike the Coronallacs Trail is from June to September when there is no snow and the accommodations are open. If you choose to hike in July and August, you’ll likely encounter more people on the trail, as this is the peak season for hiking in Europe. Huts will be busier, but you will have more people to share the experience with. If you’d like to hike with a higher chance of solitude, it’s best to book at the beginning or end of the season.

If you decide to hike in the early or late times of the season, it’s worth checking on the trail conditions before you begin your hike. Call the huts to check that the trail is clear and accessible, as well as to ask if there’s anything special that you need to pack to accommodate changing trail conditions.

The Coronallacs Trail is a challenging hike. You will need to have experience in alpine terrain, surefootedness, and proper equipment. Above all else, mountain-minded thinking and awareness will be your best safety measure. By packing smart and taking the necessary precautions, you’ll have a fun time and be safe while you do it.

Alongside packing properly, being aware of your surroundings is of vital importance. Always bring a map (that you know how to read) and the GPX loaded offline to a device with you. Send a friend your plans and inform them if they change. Additionally, talk with people at the huts about their plans for the day to make sure there haven’t been any closures of the trail.

You will also want to stay properly hydrated and nourished. Check that you have enough water and snacks to maintain your energy levels and prevent dehydration and exhaustion.

The Coronallacs Trail is a challenging hike, which includes demanding stages with large elevation changes and technical passes. Therefore, a good level of fitness and some previous hiking experience is required. It is recommended that you train for this hike by taking a full backpack out on training walks and hikes to prepare your body for the demands of carrying more weight as you exercise.