Madriu Valley: Volta a Ràmio to the Fontverd refuge

Start at the Font de la Closa picnic site on the Pla d'Engolasters and take the path south through the forest to the Coll de Jovell (1,780 m). Go down the GR11 into the Madriu valley to the Bordes de Ràmio, the farm buildings on the valley floor, then climb beside the Madriu river to the Fontverd refuge, an unmanned hut at 1,880 m. Return by the Sola de Ràmio path, which runs back along the valley side to the Coll de Jovell, and go down the Camí dels Matxos to the canal path and the picnic site.

It is 8.4 km round with 613 m of ascent by raw heights (Visit Andorra gives 8.27 km and +548 m); allow about 4¼ hours. The grade is Moderate, as Visit Andorra rates it: all on paths, partly rough, between 1,500 and 1,900 m. The page says the route is fully signposted and poses no technical difficulties, but needs a minimum level of fitness.

The Madriu-Perafita-Claror valley has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004 and is a pedestrian environment: motorised vehicles are prohibited, dogs must be kept tied and controlled, and livestock grazes in the mountain. Between September and February stay on the marked paths and wear bright clothing, because hunting is authorised in the valley. Visit Andorra advises routes above 1,700 m between the end of June and the end of September.

Visit Andorra gives the start as the Font de la Closa car park at the Pla d'Engolasters. OpenStreetMap maps a car park there tagged as permit access, and no page we read says who may park there or at what price, so look at the signs; the valley's own site lists a rough area of land at the Pla d'Engolasters and the Camp del Serrat car park beside Engolasters lake as places to leave a car.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.