Coronallacs Voyage Tips and guide

Contents

The Coronallacs is a hiking trail in Andorra. The trail is a loop, starting and finishing in Escaldes-Engordany, and covering the world heritage site Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley, and the highest mountain in Andorra, Coma Pedrosa (2944 m, 9657 ft).

It is a strenuous route, covering 91 km and 6134 m of elevation gain.

The trail (route map) takes 5 days, staying in 4 refuges. The route may be walked in either direction, but the standard route is anti-clockwise.

The route is marked with the yellow and red marks of the GRP (Gran Recorrido del País). Additionally, the black and light blue signs with the Coronallacs logo indicate which way to go.

The summer season runs from 3 June until the end of September. The refuges are closed in May and November; Refuge de Sorteny is also closed in October. The winter season is December to April, when there is thick snow.

Andorra has no railways. The drives from Toulouse, Perpignan, Barcelona, Reus and Girona airports are all similar distances, about 3 hours. Barcelona (BCN) airport tends to have the cheapest car rentals.

Hikers doing the Coronallacs can park their car in Escaldes for 5 days for €30. There are free car parks at Grau Roig.

Escaldes-Engordany Start your trip at the tourist office in Escaldes-Engordany, where you exchange your reservation voucher for your refuge pass. They can also rent you a solar charger for your phone. Address: Tourist Information Centre, Plaça Santa Anna, Avinguda Carlemany, AD700 Escaldes-Engordany. Phone: +376 890 881. Hours: 09:00–13:00 and 15:00–19:00. Confirm opening times here.
7 hours. 12.6 km (7.7 miles), 1,473 m (4630 feet) elevation gain. Includes part of the GR7 route. Other refuges on this stage include Refuge Fontverd (14 beds) and Refuge Riu dels Orris (6 beds), both unguarded.
Refuge l'Illa Illa is open from 3 June-31 October and from 1 December-30 April (it is closed in November and May). Half board is €58 for adults. A packed lunch is €14.
8 hours. 19.4 km (12 miles), 1173 m (3750 feet) elevation gain. This stage passes through the town of Envalira, with nearby refuge Pla de les Pedres (6 beds, unmanned) if you want to split the stage. You can also split this stage by staying at the Grau Roig Hotel.
Refuge de Juclà Half board is €48 for adults. A packed lunch is €13.
8 hours. 16.9 km (10.5 miles), 1180 m (3875 feet) elevation gain. Refuges on the route include Coms de Jan (10 beds) and Cabana Sorda (20 beds), both unmanned.
Refuge de Sorteny Sorteny is open June to 30 September, and weekends in May. Half board is €70. A packed lunch is €12.60. Cooking is not permitted.
11 hours, not including the diversion to the peak of Coma Pedrosa. 21.4 km (13.5 miles), 1700 m (5600 feet) elevation gain. This is the hardest stage. Alternative refuges on the route include Refuge Angonella (6 beds), Refuge Les Fonts (6 beds), and Refuge Pla de L'Estani (6 beds), all unguarded. Towns on the route include El Serrat, Les Salines, and Llorts. Llorts and Refuge Angonella are about half-way along the stage. To reach Mount Comapedrosa from Refuge Comapedrosa takes an additional 3-3.5 hours (1.5 hours each way).
Refuge Comapedrosa Comapedrosa is open 3 June to 11 October. It is not open in the winter. There is a 10% discount for those doing the Coronallacs. There are only 25 beds.
6 hours. 21.4 km (13.2 miles), 490 m (1600 feet) elevation gain. Mostly downhill. The town of Sispony is about an hour before Escaldes if you need to shorten this stage. It makes sense to climb Mount Comapedrosa on this stage because the previous stage is so long, or stay an extra night at Refuge Comapedrosa.
Escaldes-Engordany

• Andorra. Editorial Alpina. Scale 1:40000. English edition: ISBN 9788470111235. Spanish edition: ISBN 9788480908429.

Manned refuges must be booked in advance. Refuge reservations can be made here. Alternatively the refuges can be booked direct at their websites:

• Illa
• Juclar
• Sorteny
• Comapedrosa

It is possible to hire a guide.

You should carry at least 2 L of water, and drink a litre of water before you leave each refuge.

Take as little as possible, pack light! Keep the weight of your rucksack below 15 kg (ideally below 10 kg), including 2 L of water.

• Rucksack with waterproof cover. 40-50 L is about right.
• Water bottles. 2 L total
• Boots or trail shoes
• High-visibility quick-dry clothing. Approximately 4-5 sets so you can wash and dry some sets while using the others.
• Sun protection cream (high factor).
• Ultra-lightweight wind & waterproof.
• Fleece top. It can get cold!
• Quick dry towel
• Sleeping bag
• Toothbrush, wash-kit, etc.
• First aid kit, including plasters to cover/prevent blisters
• Toilet paper
• Cash

• A map and a compass for safety. Alternatively, a smartphone with an app like Google Maps and the Andorra maps downloaded will provide your GPS location. More advanced users can download hiking apps with the exact route.
• Head torch
• Energy bars
• Protein bars
• Mobile phone for safety; the emergency number is 112. Andorra is not a member of the EU and mobile phone roaming is not usually included in call plans.
• Phone charger, European plug adapter, external battery back. Camera.
• Survival bag
• Insurance

• Brimmed hat, long-sleeved shirt and trousers, sunglasses.
• Walking poles.
• Detergent for clothes (or just a bar of soap)
• Moisturiser, shampoo, body wash

• Bring cash along. The refuges are cash only. You can pay for dinner and breakfast in advance but for a packed lunch you must bring cash.