Coronallacs
A High-Mountain Circuit Around Andorra
Coronallacs, meaning Crown of Lakes, is one of the most spectacular long-distance treks in the Pyrenees, circling the high mountain basin of Andorra. This demanding yet deeply rewarding loop links remote high-altitude refuges, threading together glacial lakes, broad cols, and wild borderlands shared with France and Spain.
Originally conceived as a hut-to-hut challenge that connected Andorra’s most dramatic alpine terrain, Coronallacs has become a benchmark trek for experienced walkers seeking sustained mountain immersion. The route traces a near-complete circuit around the country’s highest watershed, offering a rare sense of continuity and scale over multiple days in the high mountains.
Covering approximately 90 km with around 6,500 m of ascent, Coronallacs is more committing than many classic Pyrenean circuits. We’ll cross high passes such as Portella Blanca d’Andorra (2,903 m) — the high point of the route — and spend long days above the treeline, surrounded by vast skies, quiet valleys, and a remarkable density of mountain lakes that give the trek its name.
Highlights
Distance: 90km
Elevation Gain: 6,449m
Highest Point: Portella Blanca d’Andorra (2,903m)
Challenge: Hut stamps completes the challenge
Style: Hut to Hut. Grade: T4
Included
Guide: UIMLA International Mountain Leader
Stays: 4 nights in mountain huts, 2 in hotels
Transfers: Barcelona Airport
Meals: all meals included
Official Corronllacs Pass
Excluded
Flights: Not included
Upcoming Events
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Barcelona – Transfer to the Pyrenees
We’ll meet you at Barcelona Airport and transfer by private vehicle into the Pyrenees, heading north through Catalonia to the historic mountain town of La Seu d’Urgell, just south of the Andorran border.
After checking into our hotel, there’s time to stretch your legs, organise kit, and settle into mountain pace. In the evening, we’ll enjoy a traditional Catalan dinner — a relaxed introduction to the region and a chance to meet your fellow walkers before the journey begins.
Day 2
Escaldes-Engordany – Refugi de l’Illa (2,488m)
Distance: ~12–13 km | Ascent: ~+1,400 m | Descent: ~-50 m | Duration: ~6–8 h
We begin the Coronallacs circuit directly from the centre of Escaldes-Engordany, leaving town quickly as we follow well-engineered mountain paths up through forest and open valley.
The day is a long, steady ascent, gaining height gradually as the terrain becomes more alpine. As we climb, views open back across Andorra, giving a clear sense of scale for the journey ahead. This stage is about settling into rhythm — managing pace, poles, and load — rather than technical difficulty.
By late afternoon we reach Refugi de l’Illa, spectacularly set beside the glacial lake of Estany de l’Illa, close to the French border. This remote high-mountain refuge marks our first true immersion into the wild heart of the route.
Day 3
Refugi de l’Illa (2,488 m) – Refugi de Juclar (2.310m)
Distance: ~13 km | Ascent: ~+750 m | Descent: ~-700 m | Duration: 5–6 hours
Leaving Refugi de l’Illa, we head north-east across high, open terrain toward the French border. The day begins with a gradual ascent through a landscape of granite slabs, alpine lakes, and wide horizons — classic high Pyrenean terrain.
We cross remote mountain passes close to the watershed between Andorra and France, with long stretches above the treeline and a growing sense of isolation. Navigation and pacing are important here, but the terrain remains non-technical in good conditions.
By mid to late afternoon we descend into the Juclar valley, arriving at Refugi de Juclar, set beside Andorra’s largest high-mountain lake. This spectacular location makes for a memorable overnight stop deep within the Coronallacs circuit.
Day 4
Refugi de Juclar (2,310 m) – Refugi de Sorteny (1,965m)
Distance: ~14 km | Ascent: ~+900 m | Descent: ~-1,100 m | Duration: 6–7 hours
Leaving Refugi de Juclar, we continue deeper into the high mountains, climbing steadily away from the Juclar lakes toward remote border passes close to France. This is one of the most varied days of the route, combining high cols, broad alpine basins, and long descents into greener valleys.
After crossing open, windswept terrain above the treeline, the landscape gradually softens as we descend toward the Sorteny Valley, one of Andorra’s most important protected natural areas, known for its wildflowers and biodiversity.
By mid to late afternoon we arrive at Refugi de Sorteny, set in a wide, peaceful valley — a striking contrast to the high, rocky terrain of the previous days.
Day 5
Refugi de Sorteny (1,965m) – Refugi de Comapedrosa (2,260m)
Distance: ~17 km | Ascent: ~+1,300 m | Descent: ~-900 m | Duration: 7–9 hours
Leaving Refugi de Sorteny, we enter one of the most demanding and rewarding stages of the Coronallacs circuit. The route climbs steadily through the upper Sorteny valley before steepening as we gain height toward high, remote cols on Andorra’s western border.
This is a serious high-mountain day: long, sustained ascents, exposed terrain in places, and big views stretching deep into France and Spain. Careful pacing and efficient movement are essential, but the reward is a real sense of achievement as we cross into the Comapedrosa massif.
By late afternoon we descend into the dramatic Comapedrosa Valley, arriving at Refugi de Comapedrosa, set beneath Andorra’s highest peak. The location, surrounded by steep granite walls and alpine lakes, makes this one of the most memorable nights of the trek.
Day 6
Refugi de Comapedrosa (2,260 m) – Escaldes-Engordany
Distance: ~14 km | Ascent: ~+200 m | Descent: ~-1,600 m | Duration: 5–6 hours
Our final day begins high above Andorra in the dramatic Comapedrosa Valley, leaving Refugi de Comapedrosa beneath the country’s highest peaks.
We descend steadily through changing terrain — from rugged alpine ground to forested paths — gradually re-entering the inhabited valleys below. As height is lost, the landscape softens and views open back toward the heart of Andorra, offering a clear sense of how much ground we’ve covered over the week.
By early to mid-afternoon we arrive back in Escaldes-Engordany, completing the full Coronallacs circuit. From here, we transfer to our hotel for a well-earned shower, celebratory meal, and final night together.
Day 7
Return to Barcelona
After breakfast, we’ll drive you back to Barcelona Airport.
This marks the end of your Coronallacs journey — a complete high-mountain circuit around Andorra and one of the most committing hut-to-hut routes in the Pyrenees.
