Andorra Hikes and Training for Corsica

September 1-12, 2025. These 11 days were used to further train for the "girls trip to Corsica". We stayed in Canillo, a smallish, somewhat charming, town in a valley in mid-Andorra.

The main sport in Andorra is skiing, so everything is 'up' from the valley. If you want to go to the toilet in your apartment, you have to walk uphill 500 feet (just kidding).

Thankfully the hikes don't incorporate many stairs, but the uphills are a bit eye watering and most include rock scrambling and "ferrata" - chains and metal stairs.

Here is a compendium of our hikes and a few views of food along the way:

Here are some descriptions of our various hikes.

Day 1 hike gave us a taste of the uphills - we walked up to Mont Magic Playground, a family summer fun camp. I was mobbed by flies, which only later did we understand didn't bite, but I freaked out on the day. Good weather.

Day 2 was a hike to the Refugio de Riba Escorjada. Even steeper uphills, to the point where it was hard to get a grip in the dirt. 7 miles. Good weather.

Day 3 up to the Roc del Quer Viewpoint. Even steeper uphills and ferrata. It began with rock scrambles/climbs with ferrata for the first half mile. By the time we realized this wasn't just for a few meters, it was too dangerous to come back down the way we came up, so we just continued. This was a 1500 foot increase in about 2 kilometers. We did make it to the top and it was a fabulous view. We didn't realize tickets were involved and the staff took pity on us (I like to think because they were impressed) and let us come in for free. They told us we took the harder route up and there was an easier route. We took the easier route down and got lost, adding another kilometer to the trip. Somehow we missed the BIG YELLOW ARROW turning us right and went left. Anyway, it was a lovely hike after we survived going up. The weather turned to rain, thankfully after we were already down. Saw a small snake. Saw the local church.

Day 4 - I let Chris start to plan the hikes. Today was Estany de les Fonts - going by 6 lakes. I managed to get sun cream in my eyes and also couldn't breath. We ran out of time and didn't make it to the restaurant, returning after a sit down at the penultimate lake. Good weather. Started my inhaler.

Day 5 - Cami del Gall - we had an "easy day" today, but a bit longer mileage - 5.7 miles. We still did over 1000 feet elevation. Returned via the Bosc route which was very nice wooded option. Good weather.

Day 6 - Estany Primer view point. I don't know who said this could be an easy hike and would like to meet this person. In some respect this was the hardest hike yet and brought us up over 2500 feet. The approach was not bad, but was steep, doing about 1000 feet increase in less than 1.5 miles to the trail head. As we ascended the views of the Pyrenees opened up. The views at the top were very nice and the area around quite wild - this region of Andorra is listed with UNESCO as a biosphere. Our mistake occurred on the town trail - we should have returned the same way we went up, but wanted to make a loop. This is where we were rock scrambling again along exposed ridges and then. the. rain. started. Thankfully not a heavy rain. At one point I was wondering if I'd make my 66 birthday. It was a relief to cross the last ridge and see the trail head. Coming down we took the ski lift which was great.

Day 7 - birthday - and a day off. My limbs thanked me.

Day 8 - The Tibetan Bridge. We had a theory which has since played out - when a walk starts by being a good path, this is maintained throughout. This was a lovely walk and the bridge was pretty amazing. Much more sturdy than an actual Tibetan bridge and what we thought was a maintenance point, was actually a place for bungie jumping. Needless to say we didn't.

Day 10 was a walk up to a lake - a bit longer, 10 miles, and a bit higher - 2500 feet. Lovely walk with waterfalls, lakes and ending with a walk out of the D'icles Valley where there was a lot of traditional architecture. We got hemmed in by a flock of sheep.

Days 9 and 11 were variants of the "chicken way" - shorter and not so strenuous, but still with an initial elevation increase of 900 feet.

Now off to Corsica