Coronallacs Voyage Tips and guide

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, at 2,944 m (9,659 ft). It is a strenuous route, covering 91 km and 6134 m of elevation gain in 5 days.

The Coronallacs is a circular 92 km high-mountain hiking trail in Andorra, typically completed in five days. The route connects four manned refuges—Illa, Juclar, Sorteny, and Comapedrosa—through the diverse landscapes of the Pyrenees. While the standard direction is anti-clockwise, it can be walked in either direction. The route largely overlaps with the GRP and GR7 ("grandes randonees") routes. This is a demanding high-altitude trek; while most hikers find official duration estimates conservative, it requires a good level of physical fitness and mountain experience.

Manned refuges must be booked in advance via the official reservation portal or individual refuge websites. Hikers must carry their own gear in a 40-50 L rucksack, ideally keeping weight under 10 kg and strictly below 15 kg. Necessary equipment includes a sleeping bag, high-factor sun protection, waterproof clothing, and a first aid kit. For navigation, a physical map (such as the Editorial Alpina 1:40,000) is strongly recommended alongside GPS-enabled smartphone apps. Ensure you have cash in Euros, as some refuges do not accept cards for incidental costs like packed lunches.

The manned refuges provide breakfast (typically from 07:00) and dinner (at 19:30). You can often pay for these in advance during booking. For midday meals, you should carry energy bars and protein bars, or purchase packed lunches at the refuges using cash.

Hydration is critical in the high Pyrenees. Hikers should drink at least one liter of water before departing each refuge and carry a minimum of 1.5 L during the day. While water is available at the refuges, you should confirm the potability of wild water sources with staff or use purification methods if drinking from streams.

Accommodation is provided by the four manned refuges along the circuit. A sleeping bag is required for these stays. Refuges offer basic amenities, but you should bring your own quick-dry towel and toiletries. Electricity for charging devices is generally available, though a portable power bank and European plug adapter are recommended.

The primary hiking season is between 3 June and the end of September. Outside of this window, refuges close (specifically in May and November), and the mountains are covered in thick snow from December through April. September hikers should prepare for occasional rain and wet paths; well-waterproofed boots are essential. Temperatures can drop significantly at high altitudes, so a fleece and windproof layers are mandatory even in summer.

Andorra has no railways or airports (except for helicopters). 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. If you tell your car rental company you are travelling to Andorra, they may add an extra fee.

Hikers can park their car in Escaldes for 5 days for €30. Alternatively, there are free car parks elsewhere along the route, such as at Grau Roig. There are car parks near Cabana Sorda and Cabana Coms de Jan. By joining a stage half-way and staying an extra night, you can reduce the average distance covered per day.

See Andorra and Andorra la Vella for bus information.

42°32′56″N 1°35′32″E

Map of Coronallacs

Includes part of the GR7 route. This is the most beautiful stage. It is also the shortest stage, so you have plenty of time to enjoy it.

Start your trip at the tourist office in Escaldes-Engordany, where you can collect a booklet to be stamped at each refuge, if you care about that sort of thing. 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.

Other refuges on this stage include Refuge Fontverd (14 beds) and Refuge Riu dels Orris (6 beds), both unguarded. It's about 2 hours to Refuge Fontverd, another hour to Refuge Orris, then another hour to Refuge Illa.

• 42.4951141.6562111 Refuge l'Illa. A bright, modern government refuge, Illa is open from 3 June-31 October and from 1 December-30 April (it is closed in November and May). Half board is €62 for adults including €1 tourist tax as of 2025. A packed lunch ("picnic") is €15. You must pay a deposit in advance. No phone signal or customer WiFi. Beer €4. Well insulated. Also some free "unmanned refuge"-style beds available.  

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, about half-way along the stage.

• 42.6074061.7156962 Refuge de Juclà. Half board is €54 for adults as of 2025, including €1 tourist tax. A packed lunch is €15. Dinner is a plentiful meal of hearty soup, beef bourgignon, and a tinned peach half. €4 beer. Hot showers €3 for 4 minutes. Plug sockets available but electricity turned off at 10pm until 8am. No customer wifi. Credit cards accepted.  
• 42.532551.701131 Grau Roig hotel. 5-star hotel with restaurants, small pool and small gym.  

Refuges on the route include Coms de Jan (10 beds) and Cabana Sorda (20 beds), both unmanned.

2:15 from Jucla to Refugi de Cabana Sorda. There is a car park not too far from Cabana Sorda, making this a good place to begin or end your trip.

3:30 from Jucla to Cabana Coms de Jan, which is an unmanned refuge. There is a car park nearby, making this a good place to begin or end your trip.

From Collada dels Meners you can make a brief detour to climb Pic de la Serrera. There is an emergency shelter just east of Collada dels Meners, a stone building with no door.

• 42.6225461.5641953 Refuge de Sorteny. Sorteny is open June to 30 September, and weekends in May. Large, modern refuge with a bar and restaurant. Half board is €70 as of 2025. A packed lunch is €13.50. Self-cooking is not permitted. Superb cheesecake and a beer for €10. Free WiFi.  

Officially 11 hours, not including the diversion to the peak of Coma Pedrosa. In practice 9 hours. (Someone has been defaced the sign at Refuge Sorteny, writing 7 hours to Refugi de Comapedrosa. That would be very quick indeed.) 21.4 km (13.5 miles), 1700 m (5600 feet) elevation gain. This is the hardest stage.

2 hours from Sorteny to Llorts, where you can get a coffee. At least 3:30 from Sorteny to Refuge l'Angonella. This is an unmanned refuge. 5 hours from Angonella to Refuge Comapedrosa.

Shortcut available on this stage from Bordes del Plat Nous to Borda de la Coruvilla. There is a potential shortcut from Clot de Cavall to Refuge les Fonts.

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), so most people will do this the following day.

• 42.5790281.4493884 Refuge Comapedrosa. Refuge 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. Spacious but basic refuge. Good food. €54 half board including wine + €1 tourist tax as of 2025. €15 picnic. €4 beer. Cold showers. No customer wifi.  

Mostly downhill to Escaldes.

It makes sense to climb Mount Comapedrosa on this stage (an extra 3 hours, totalling a 9 hour day) because the previous stage is so long, but staying an extra night at Refuge Comapedrosa would be overkill. There are two routes to Mount Comapedrosa, one going past Upper Lake Negre, so you can take one route up and a slightly different route down.

The town of Sispony is about an hour before Escaldes, so you could stay at Sispony if you need to shorten this stage. However there are more hotel and dining options in Escaldes; Escaldes is the more interesting town. Another option is to stay an extra day in Escaldes for a rest and some tourism. The Museu Casa Rull is in Sispony.

The official Coronallacs route goes via Sispony, however you could instead stick the GRP route which goes straight to Escaldes.

• 42.5106991.541155 Hotel Comtes d'Urgell. Relatively cheap for Escaldes, and very good value.  

The primary risks are high-altitude weather shifts and navigation errors. Always carry a physical map and a mobile phone; the emergency number is Template:Phoe. Note that Andorra is not in the EU, so roaming charges apply—consider a travel eSIM for data. Ensure your insurance covers mountain rescue, and always check the weather forecast before departing each refuge, as rain can make paths slippery and difficult to follow.

• Andorra la Vella: Visit the capital for tax-free shopping and the Caldea thermal spa to recover after your trek.

• GR 11: If you have more time, the Coronallacs intersects with this famous long-distance trail that traverses the entire Spanish Pyrenees.

• Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley: Explore this UNESCO World Heritage site known for its traditional pastoral culture and stunning glacial landscapes.