Walking in the Pyrenees

Our trip begins at Barcelona-El Prat Josep Tarradellas Airport (BCN) at 3.30pm, the latest your flight can arrive is 3pm. Please note that depending on which terminal you arrive into you may have to take the airport shuttle bus to terminal 2B which is where we'll be meeting. We will travel together as a group to the small alpine village of Soldeu in the heart of the Andorran Pyrenees, a 3.30 hour drive. A popular ski resort, lying 1,710 metres/5,611 feet above sea level, Soldeu is an engaging mix of traditional rural inns, converted farmhouses and lively bars, providing us with an ideal base for our Pyrenean adventure. After settling into our hotel depending on traffic we'll hopefully have time for a short orientation walk around the village before dinner. Our base for the week is Hotel Soldeu Maistre, centrally located in Soldeu. This family-run hotel is furnished in local Catalan style. Built to replicate the mountain lodge look with a stone and wood panelled exterior the hotel is in keeping with its surroundings. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you may have time to wait ahead of our group transfer to Soldeu. You can make the most of this time by exploring Barcelona with its many attractions such as 'La Boqueria' food market, Las Ramblas boulevard lined with bars and restaurants and not to mention the many incredible architectural works of Antoni Gaudi. The Barcelona metro line L9 Sud connects terminals T1 and T2 with the city of Barcelona every 7 minutes and takes 32 minutes. Bags can be stored at the airports left luggage for around Euro 10 per piece of luggage.

This morning, we travel by public bus to Merixtell, the religious centre of Andorra where the patron saint Meritxell is worshipped at a dedicated sanctuary. From there , we start our walk back Soldeu along the ancient Cami del Gall trail, marked by the symbol of a red cockerel and which got its name from the capercaillies once living in large numbers in the forests of the area. Gradually descending we pass through mixed woods, cross streams and view waterfalls following the valley of the Valira River which crosses Andorra from east to west. Today's 10.5 kilometre/6.50 miles walk is expected to take around 4 hours with 600 metres/1968 feet of ascent and 200 metres/656 feet of descent. There are sections equipped with wooden walkways, steps and handrails.

Today we explore the untouched wilderness of Andorra's only UNESCO World Heritage Site, the beautiful and remote Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley. Covering nearly 50 square kilometres/19.30 square miles this pristine setting is the country's spiritual and cultural heart, as well as being a haven for wildlife that includes marmot, bearded vulture and ptarmigan. Driving to the small hamlet of Saint Miquel d'Engolasers, we then hike up to the refuge at Fontverd, where we stop to enjoy a picnic lunch before heading back to Soldeu by bus. Today's 12 kilometre/7.50 miles walk is expected to take around 4.30 hours with 900 metres/2953 feet of ascent and 400 metres/1312 feet of descent.

After a short taxi ride to the neighbouring village of Ransol this morning, we begin our walk into the Vall de Riu, another of Andorra's scenic gems. Encircled by a ring of glacial-formed mountains, the valley provides us with a beautiful backdrop to today's walk up to the small mountain village of Canillo. Home to Andorra's tallest church tower, and one of its finest Romanesque chapels, Canillo will be our final destination today, before returning to Soldeu by public bus. Today's 11 kilometre/6.80 miles walk is expected to take around 5 hours with 600 metres/1969 feet of ascent and 1,000 metres/3281 feet of descent.

Some free time today affords you a chance to pay a visit to Andorra's bustling capital, Andorra la Vella. Home to the smallest parliament in Europe and the oldest Romanesque church in the principality, the city is also a great place for shopping or to enjoy the famous Caldea Spa facilities. Alternately you could take an optional walk to Pessons Lakes or drive to Canillo to cross the second longest Tibetan suspension bridge in the world, over the Vall del Riu (603 meters/1978 feet in length). You tour leader will be able to assist with arrangements.

This morning we drive a short distance to the Sorteny Nature Reserve, set amongst the fertile valleys of north-eastern Andorra. Renowned for its abundance of plant species, the valley is a botanical haven for over 700 species of flora, some of it unique to the Pyrenees region. The trail that we take today leads us up to Estanyó Lake (2,350 metres/7,710 feet) and passes through an alpine landscape that is home to wild boar, martens, chamois and ptarmigan. On the way we'll stop for a hearty lunch at the Sorteny refuge, a chance to try Andorran specialties in a s spectacular location. Driving back to Soldeu later we may also have time to stop for a drink in the pretty mountain village of Ordino. Today's 10 kilometre/6.20 miles walk is expected to take around 4.30 hours with 600 metres/1969 feet of ascent and descent.

Today's walk takes us into the beautiful glacial landscapes of the Incles Valley, home to Scots pine, Pyrenean chamois and one of the largest alpine lakes in Andorra. We begin the day gently, before following the course of the river up to the Siscaro Lakes. Nestling within a glacial cirque at some 2,350 metres/7,710 feet, the lake provides us with a beautiful spot to stop and enjoy a picnic lunch. There may even be an opportunity for us to walk a little further, towards the Incles Pass, before we head back down to the hotel. Today's 14 kilometre/8.70 miles walk is expected to take around 4.30 hours with 900 metres/2953 feet of ascent and 1,350 metres/4429 feet of descent.

We leave the mountains behind this morning, driving back to Barcelona Airport where the trip ends. We will travel as a group, leaving our hotel at around 9am for the a 3.30 hour drive to Barcelona-El Prat Josep Tarradellas Airport (BCN). The earliest your flight can depart is 2.30pm.