Estanys de Tristaina: Andorra’s Most Beautiful Day Hike

15 October 2025.

Discover everything you need to know about Andorra’s favourite day hike – the Estanys de Tristaina or Tristaina Lakes. 

Cradled beneath a string of dramatic peaks that puncture the northwest border of Andorra, the Estanys de Tristaina are arguably Andorra’s best known and most popular day hike.

Framed by the Tristaina Cirque, the route connects a trio of lakes – Estany Primer, Estany del Mig and Estany de Més Amunt – with a series of side trails to Llacuna Superior and Estany de Creussans, two smaller lakes nearby, and Punta de Peiraguils which plays host to the magnificent Mirador del Solar.

The most straightforward version of the Estanys de Tristaina walk follows a mostly flat and easy circuit that can be completed in under 2 hours, but adding on these very worthwhile detours can easily extend this hike into a half or full-day adventure.

Perched high above the lakes, a visit to the Mirador del Solar de Tristaina is an absolute must, either on foot or by chairlift.

This wildly impressive viewpoint is marked by an enormous hilltop sundial which hovers above the precipitous slopes of Punta de Peiraguils, providing a spectacular (and slightly hair-raising) walkway overlooking the endless peaks of Andorra’s north and the Soulcem Valley of the French Pyrenees.

Back in late May, this was how I spent my very first day in Andorra in preparation for the GRP and, despite the large swathes of snow that still clung to the honey-coloured landscapes and made many of the trails inaccessible, it was a wonderful introduction to one of Europe’s smallest countries.

Like many things, the Estanys de Tristaina are popular for a reason, but if you choose just one day hike in Andorra, this is an excellent choice.

The classic short and sweet circuit of the Estanys de Tristaina takes in the three lakes of Estany Primer, Estany del Mig and Estany de Més Amunt and begins from restaurant Borda de la Coma within Ordino Arcalís, one of Andorra’s premier ski resorts.

However, this trailhead is only accessible at certain times of the day during the peak summer season so you may be required to start from further down the valley and join the classic lake circuit from there (more on this below).

You’ll also find optional detours to Llacuna Superior and Estany de Creussans which lie away from the main circuit, as well as three possible route variations that lead to the Mirador del Solar atop Punta de Peiraguils.

To fully experience the magic of this place, it makes most sense to combine these trails to create a slightly wonky figure-eight circuit with a few offshoots, but it’s important to consider the distance and level of difficulty you’re comfortable with as some of these side routes are incredibly steep with challenging terrain.

Many also tend to be carpeted in snow well into summer, when choosing the safer but less scenic route will be the better option.

Finally, if you’re arriving by public transport, your hike will begin from El Serrat which will add several hours to your day.

The hiking details below highlight the ideal route for each of these key circuits, but in all cases it’s possible to make modifications based on the level of difficulty you’re after and the time of year that you visit.

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There is no airport or train station in Andorra, but both Toulouse and Barcelona are well-connected by road and can be reached in around 3.5 hours.

Direct buses are available from either city’s airport and bus station, or you can rent a car for your visit.

The Borda de la Coma trailhead is easily reached by car from Andorra la Vella in around 45 minutes. During the peak summer season, this road is only accessible before 8:30 a.m. and after 5:30 p.m. to avoid congestion along the narrow switchbacks that mark the final 2 km stretch approaching the cirque.

Alongside the restaurant and Creussans chairlift, you’ll find a large parking area, as well as several more dotted nearby. If you arrive between the access times, you’ll need to leave your car at the enormous lower parking lot opposite the Tristaina Cable Car Station (located here).

To join the main Tristaina Lakes circuit, either walk to the upper trailhead near the restaurant (2 km) or, better is follow the nearby trail that swings past the small dam nearby and peels off to Estany Primer (also 2 km) to begin the circuit from there.

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FIND YOUR RENTAL CAR   //   There are limited rental car agencies located in Andorra la Vella and rates tend to be rather high. Far better is to collect your vehicle in either Toulouse or Barcelona which offer numerous options for from their respective airports, train/bus stations and downtown areas for far lower prices.

I use and recommend Discover Cars who offer competitive rates for the region. Find the best deals here.

Unfortunately, there’s no public transport that travels all the way to the trailhead. On weekdays, you can get as far as El Serrat, while on weekends the buses only go as far as Ordino.

From either point you can try to hitchhike if you’re comfortable with the risks it presents, otherwise it’s possible to hike from El Serrat as part of a long but very beautiful day hike.

From Andorra la Vella, take the L6 bus to Ordino and get off at the very last stop – Portal del Riu.

Buses run regularly and originate from the National Bus Station (located here) but there are several places in town where you can jump on board. Maps.me has all local bus stops marked and labelled correctly to correspond to the online itinerary. See the timetable here.

It’s also worth noting that many of the L6 timetables posted online and around town indicate an extended line that continues from Ordino all the way Arcalís. When planning my trip, I was banking on this itinerary to reach the trailhead, but it turns out this service only operates during the ski season.

From Ordino, return to the main road via Carrer Major and turn right to reach the small ‘El Raval’ bus stop. The Andorra Community Bus stops here every half hour on weekdays and will bring you the rest of the way to ‘Les Sobiranes’ in El Serrat. See the timetable here.

As of 2025, Andorra’s urban buses cost €1.90 per trip, while the community buses cost just €0.20. Tickets are purchased on board and must be paid in cash. If you’ll be staying in Andorra for several days and relying on public transport, it might be worth getting a multi-day or multi-ride pass instead of buying individual tickets. See fare details here.

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TOP TIP   |   Weekday services between 8 and 9 a.m. are primarily used as a school bus for kids travelling from Andorra to Ordino and tend to be packed. Traffic is also rammed with commuters so I’d recommend avoiding this timeframe if you can.

Given how compact Andorra is, it makes sense to use Andorra la Vella or neighbouring Escaldes-Engordany as a base from which to explore where you’ll have the best access to a range of accommodation, restaurants, shops and transport.

For those keen to escape the city, pocket-sized El Serrat is the closest village to the Tristaina Lakes and boasts a handful of hotels, while La Massana, Ordino and the string of villages that connect them to El Serrat also offer a number of options for accommodation.

In general, accommodation in Andorra presents excellent value with some great deals on offer for off-season visits. For those travelling by car, I’d highly recommend finding somewhere with parking available as public parking in town tends to be rather pricey.

Comtes d’Urgell   |   Located in the heart of Les Escaldes, this large hotel is a solid budget-friendly choice that puts you within walking distance of Andorra’s shopping district, plenty of cafes and restaurants, supermarkets and the buses for Ordino. Much of the hotel has been recently renovated though some bathrooms are still a little dated. Check rates and availability here.

Yomo Centric   |   This modern, mid-range hotel has an excellent location right on Andorra’s main pedestrian artery. Underground parking is available for an additional fee. Check rates and availability here.

The Blackpine Hotel   |   One of the newest and best-rated hotels in Andorra, Blackpine delivers boutique luxury accommodation that combines style, comfort and sustainability. Rooms are spacious, functional and thoughtfully designed, and beautifully showcase the hotel’s namesake, pinus nigra, a hardy variety of black pine that lives for centuries on Andorra’s highest mountains. Paired with top-notch service, valet parking, an in-house restaurant, off-site spa, and excellent location, this place is a wonderful option for those looking to splurge on a special stay. Check rates and availability here.

Since I was visiting Andorra sans car, I had to rely on public transport to reach the Estanys de Tristaina which meant my hike began from El Serrat.

This adds about 5 km each way to actually reach the lakes and makes for a full day hike so, if you’re taking this option, be sure to arrive early enough to complete the hike before it starts getting dark.

If you’re arriving by car, you can scroll down to the next section.

From the Les Subiranes bus stop in El Serrat, walk back down the hill past the always buzzing Xalet Bringué and cross over the road to enter the Camí d’Encodina.

This first section of the route climbs gradually and weaves back and forth between gravel and paved roads with little to no shade for much of the way. It’s also not all that interesting until you approach the Tristaina Cable Car Station so it’s worth just covering as much ground as you can quickly to get to the good stuff higher up.

After 1 km of dirt road, you’ll rejoin the asphalt for a short stretch before veering left at the parking lot into a large, flower-strewn meadow.

Onwards, the path enters the forest and weaves alongside the churning Riu Tristaina before thrusting you back onto the main road. A short way along, turn right over the cattle grid to reach the Cabanes del Castellar and another car park that marks the trailhead for Pic de la Font Blanca.

From here the wide gravel track extends for a further 800 m and joins a proper walking path that pitches up sharply via a series of rocky switchbacks and skirts around a small dam before emerging into the vibrant meadows that extend below the Tristaina Lakes plateau.

With a couple of hours now under your belt, this is where things finally start to get good.

Rugged peaks laced with snow pierce the distant horizon, clusters of delicate white flowers speckle the verdant landscapes, and the high-pitched shrieks of vigilant marmots ring out above the deafening roar of twin cascades that converge into the powerful Riu Tristaina.

From here, there are two possible routes to reach Estany Primer – the easy one and the far more difficult one.

If you’re a confident hiker intending to complete the extended circuit, I’d recommend taking the difficult route on the way up and the easier one on the way down simply because the harder route is steep and a little sketchy in parts and isn’t all that pleasant to descend at the end of a long day.

Alternatively, you can skip the difficult route altogether and take the easier path in both directions if you’re not as comfortable on a steeper trail.

Now, just before you hit the river there is a barely visible fork in the trail where the difficult path veers to the right.

You’ll need to pay close attention to your map since none of the signposts point this way, but the route itself is marked and forms part of the spectacular HRP or Haute Route Pyrénéenne which extends across the length of the range.

At first, the trail is not all that distinct but becomes more defined as you approach the waterfall where the path pitches up sharply towards the escarpment of the cirque basin. This stretch is short, around 500 m, but is extremely steep with some big steps, scrambly bits and slippery terrain.

Up top, the views are nothing short of sublime though with the landscapes plunging into a swathe of vivid green and extending towards the delightful Sorteny Valley Nature Reserve. A string of mountains dominate the distant horizon with the hulking Pic de l’Estanyó taking pride of place in the centre.

Tracing through a final stretch of scraggly bushes, you’ll soon arrive to the shores of Estany Primer – the first of the Tristaina Lakes.

To take the easier and more popular path from below instead, continue straight ahead from the intersection and rock hop over the river.

Now, it’s worth mentioning that during my visit in late May, the river was swollen with snowmelt and gushing across the landscape which made actually getting across rather challenging.

Rather than crossing directly at the path, I found a much easier and safer spot to hop over about 25 m further up stream. If you’re visiting later in the season or don’t mind getting your boots a bit wet, you should have an easier time of it. Look around for a suitable spot if you’re struggling to find your way across.

Onwards, the trail climbs gradually alongside the river to the top of the rise which also offers up lovely views and leads toward a signposted intersection and a stretch of vibrant green marshland braided with streams that extend across the valley floor.

If you’ve parked at the Tristaina Cable Car Station or any of the upper parking lots (those above the cable car station but below the restaurant), I’d recommend joining the circuit at this intersection. There’s also a footbridge over the river here which makes getting across a whole lot easier.

From the junction, veer right for the short, straightforward climb over the ridge to meet Estany Primer.

Towering above, the gnarled and knobby peaks of the cirque dominate the scene, streaked in snow and auburn grass beneath a clear cobalt sky.

Directly ahead, the perfect sphere of the Mirador del Solar stands proudly atop Punta de Peiraguils, a tiny blip in the landscape that belies its sheer scale up close.

Finally at the lakes, this is where we join the classic Estanys de Tristaina circuit.

For those beginning from Borda de la Coma, take the wide path that veers right behind the restaurant and climbs steadily to the top of the rise where the glorious Tristaina Cirque and its three pristine lakes unfold before you.

The path is mostly straightforward though there is one short section of easy rock scrambling with chains for support where you’ll need to use your hands and feet to get through.

Take in the wonderful views overlooking the lakes before heading right from the hillside junction known as the Creussans intersection to reach Estany Primer, circling around the southern bank to join the other walking paths.

On both sides of the lake you’ll find a high path and a low path which you can choose depending on the water height since the low path may be partially flooded when the lake is at its fullest.

It’s also worth noting that if you’re visiting early in the season (before mid-June), expect to find plenty of snow carpeting the paths along the circuit, especially between the two upper lakes and on the way to Llacuna Superior.

At this time of year, wearing solid, waterproof footwear and having hiking poles on hand is a good idea.

At the eastern perimeter of Estany Primer, take the wooden footbridge across the river and continue left along the shoreline and over the grassy hill where Estany del Mig springs into view.

Nearby, the tiny Llacuna Superior sits cradled in a shallow basin within the steep walls of the cirque and can be reached along a 400 m side trail. Otherwise push on above the banks of Estany del Mig towards the southern boundary of Estany de Més Amunt nestled directly beneath the Pic de Tristaina.

Cross over another footbridge and, darting left, return to Estany del Mig along a narrow trail that hugs the river.

To complete the classic circuit, continue down the entire length of the lake to reach the Creussans intersection where you’ll be welcomed with spectacular views overlooking the lakes framed by the rugged cliffs of the cirque.

From here, it’s time to brace yourself for the steep climb towards the Mirador de Solar.

If you’re not hiking up, make your way back to your starting point, either heading down the main path to Borda de la Coma or returning to Estany Primer for the descent to the lower cable car station or El Serrat.

That said, do not miss out on the mirador – I promise it will be the highlight of your visit!

If the hike itself is putting you off, at least consider taking the chairlift up instead. You won’t regret it.

Perched on the summit of Punta de Peiraguils at 2,701 m, the Mirador del Solar is one of the most unique and impressive viewpoints in Andorra and holds a spectacular position suspended above the steep eastern flank of the peak.

Designed as a large-scale sundial installation, this circular viewing platform has a 25 m diameter with a single track walkway wrapping around the perimeter that is marked by Roman numerals where the angular central beam casts a shadow to indicate the time of day.

With its lofty vantage point, you’ll be welcomed with a magnificent panorama that extends across the boundless mountains of Andorra’s north and into France and Spain.

From the steep ridge line, the lake-studded Tristaina Cirque sprawls to the east, while the rugged Soulcem Valley stretches into the west surrounded by an endless chain of razor-sharp peaks that define the central Pyrenees.

If you’re nervous around heights, circling the sundial might be something of a white-knuckle experience for you, especially in the wind which causes the platform to sway beneath your feet, but trust me, it’s so worth it.

As mentioned above, there are three possible routes to reach the Mirador del Solar on foot as well as the possibility to use the chairlift.

These routes can be strung together in any combination to create a circuit around the mirador depending on the level of difficulty you’re comfortable with and the conditions at the time of your visit.

#1   |   Easiest option. Follows a steep gravel access road beneath the chairlift from behind Borda de la Coma. Joins a footpath along the ridge line with a short, exposed section supported by cables.

#2   |   Most challenging option. Follows a very steep footpath from the Creussans intersection up the sharp walls of the cirque to Port de Tristaina before bending back along the ridge to the mirador.

#3   |   Moderate option. Follows a steep footpath from the Creussans intersection around Roc del Vaquer and joins the same access road from #1.

Estany de Creussans can also be seen along the way to Mirador del Solar. The lake sits directly along #1 or can be visited as a short detour from #3 once you reach the access road beneath Roc del Vaquer.

Picking back up from the Creussans intersection, combining routes #2 and #3 creates the most beautiful, albeit challenging, circuit for the Mirador del Solar and is the one I’d recommend for fit and confident hikers.

Ascend steeply towards Port de Tristaina, the saddle that separates Pic de l’Etang Fourcat and Punta de Peiraguils, before scuttling along the ridge line to the magnificent viewpoint.

To descend, continue along the ridge where you’ll encounter some rocky outcrops secured with cables that require some straightforward scrambling. Onwards, the trail opens up and passes a perfectly situated bench which would make a seriously good lunch spot before meeting the access roading and winding down to the intersection below Roc del Vaquer.

Take the the short detour to Estany de Creussans before backtracking and crossing over the saddle to descending sharply to the Creussans intersection.

Those looking for an easier all around option should stick with route #1 in both directions, though at 2.5 km with 446 m of elevation gain, it’s still no walk in the park.

At times when there is still plenty of snow on the ground, #1 also remains the safest and most navigable route.

For example during my visit in late May, #2 was completely buried under snow which made the ascent to Port de Tristaina rather treacherous, so I instead diverted to route #1 followed by a very tentative descent along #3.

If you’ve left your car near Borda de la Coma, you may also prefer to descend via #1 directly to the restaurant rather than return to the Creussans intersection.

Finally, there’s also the option to take the Creussans Chairlift to the top of the ridge which operates daily between early June and early November, from 8:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

This can be connected to the Tristaina Cable Car which runs everyday throughout summer (mid-June to mid-September) and on weekends only in early June and from late September to early November. See details here.

Now, regardless of how you reached the mirador, once you’ve soaked up the magical views, it’s time to wrap up your hike and make your way back to where you started.

If you’ve descended to the Creussans intersection, either take the main path back to Borda de la Coma or continue around to Estany Primer, descending from the plateau via the easy trail to the valley floor. Duck over the footbridge to reach the lower car park or push on to El Serrat to catch the bus back to Ordino.

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