Andorra is not only a shopping and skiing paradise, but also a great place for hiking. Especially in early spring, when the weather has begun to warm up but the snow in the Pyrenees has not yet melted, it is the most beautiful time.
The hiking area we chose this time is Ordino in northern Andorra. There is Ordino Arcalís estación de esquí, one of the three major ski resorts in Andorra.
This is where our first day of hiking started. From the ski station car park, follow the signs "Els Estanys de Tristaina" and go up all the way until you see Tristaina Lakes. This route is about 5 kilometers round trip, has an elevation gain of about 250M, and takes about 3 hours. It is a relatively easy-to-reach route with excellent scenery.
For the hotel we have chosen Hotel & SPA Bringué in El Serrat, very close to the ski resort and natural park, located right beside the creeks. The hot spring pool at the spa here offers views of the entire valley, perfect for relaxing after a day of hiking. It opens from 3 P.M and the access fee is 22 euros for 90 minutes, Advance reservation needed, recommend choosing a time slot of 3 p.m. or 4:30 p.m. as there are fewer people. The hotel rooms are not big, but very clean, and the rooms with balconies have great views. We chose the half board package, which is value for money. The dinner set menu is different daily and the quality is quite good.
The second day's route: From hotel to Vall de Sorteny Natural Park the round trip is 12KMS, with an elevation gain of 650M, and takes about 5 hours to complete. The route follows the creek most of the way and offers beautiful views.