Sunflower Books: Landscapes of the PYRENEES: WALKS AND CAR TOURS

PYRENEES 4th edition, 2005; updated 19/09/07

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Updates for walks and car tours (drives) in the Pyrenees given below supplement those provided in the guidebook. It is vital that this Update is read in conjunction with the text of the book, but note that the Update applies only to the edition stated and not to any earlier editions. (If you have an older edition of this book and want to "upgrade" to the latest edition at half price, click here.)

Information has been forwarded to us by users of the book, and Sunflower Books offers the data in good faith but cannot be held responsible for any misleading or inaccurate content in the Update. Unless indicated otherwise, what appears here has not been verified by the author or publisher, so please allow due caution when new or amended routes are suggested. Each piece of information is dated; bear in mind that some of the older observations may have since been overtaken by events or further changes. If, during your holiday, you are using the current edition of the guide and are able to provide any additional updating to add to this page, we will be pleased to hear from you. Please send information, preferably in hard copy, by post, to Sunflower Books, PO Box 115, Exeter EX2 6YU (or if you prefer, by e-mail, to mail@sunflowerbooks.co.uk).

Touring map: In the key, the darkest brown colour indicated height of over 2000m, not 1000m. (Sunflower)

Walk 1: The final, GR11, part of this walk, descending from the SADDLE into Llanca, has been re-routed and now avoids the worst of the prickly scrub by taking an ancient track. This route seems so logical and well-worn, in contrast to the 'prickly' route, that it's a puzzle that GR11 didn't always follow it. Directions: Shortly after coming over the SADDLE of the hill (and well before the 'orri'), the GR11 is now signposted northwards. It follows a track down into a gully, and descends steadily, at one point past a farm fenced almost entirely by old bedsteads. It ends at a modern suburban roundabout close to the townís new football stadium. If doing the walk in the opposite direction (as we did) beware that GR11 is very poorly indicated on rocks next to the roundabout. The only paint-markings we could see appeared to direct walkers up the spine of the ridge rather than the track (clearer markings are just out of sight). This is the old 'prickly' route described in the guide, so we assumed it to be correct but it is not: avoid this section as it is now badly overgrown and not recommended! (User, 7/07)

Walk 5: Access to the walk: On weekends and generally during main season access to the track beyond Sadernes with a car is now restricted between 9 am and 5:30 pm (outside these times it is accessible). But this is not a problem at all: drive to Sadernes, park your car at the car park left from where the tarmac ends (the tarmac has now been extended to Sadernes and ends before the church) and walk to the northernmost car park, where the walk description in the book starts. The track from Sadernes to the last car park is beautiful with some spectacular views - you wouldnít want to experience this from inside your car... Some details on the walk: After crossing the river at the 6 min point, the wooden sign to Talaixa has vanished. From St. Aniol, don't miss the detour to the waterfall 'Sal de Brull' (signposted above the Font where the path to Talaixa continues). It is 15 minutes from there to the waterfall and 15 minutes back, and it is worth it. When you arrive in Talaixa, take the 5 extra minutes to walk up to the church shown on the photo in the book - you reach it by passing through the gate to your right. We didn't find a 'wide earthen track' to cross at 2.39 min - probably the authors simply mean the fork you reach approx. 45 minutes after leaving Talaixa - don't go left here, continue straight ahead... When you include the way from Sadernes to the start of the walk and back, the detour to Sal de Brull and to the church in Talaixa, this can easily become a wonderful, very satisfactory 5 hour walk. (User, 9/06)

Walk 6: Access to this walk is no longer possible as described in the book. The tarmac has now been extended beyond Pont de Plansarenes up to Sadernes and one consequence seems to be that the car park and the signposts at Pont de Plansarenes have been removed. To still do this walk, drive to Sadernes up to the point where the tarmac ends: directly to your left you'll find a car park (in front of the church, below the restaurant). Walk along the track signposted to St. Aniol for 5 minutes (always stay left), then you'll see on your left a signpost to 'Santa Barbara' and ì'Oix' - it points you down to a small footpath waymarked with blue marks that join the original route in the book shortly before the 3rd river crossing (see also map in the book - the way down from the track after the church is clearly shown there). At the end of the walk this of course means an extra 10 minutes, because to have to walk from Pont de Llerca not only to Pont de Plansarenes, but up to Sadernes. (User, 9/06)

Walk 16: The guidebook states that on the return route from the refuge du Ruhle you follow a clearly yellow marked route back to Cabane du Riutort. this route has been overmarked with red and white and now is part of a GR path. (User, 9/06)

Suggestion: You describe only one walk in Andorra, the Madriu walk. I would like to suggest two other candidates:
1) La Massana - Riu de Montaner to Collada de Montaner. Thereafter up to Pic d'Enclar, and walk along the crest to Pic de Carroi. Descend along the track back to La Massana. Easy to access with public transport. This walk is quite long and strenuous with parts between Enclar and Carroi quite vertiginous. It is excellent if you are interested in an adventure. It also gives wonderful views. It is possible to shorten it by walking up to the Pal ski station from the Collada, where you will soon have contact with roads. I also think that this variant will turn the walk into an easy one, though herein I am only relying on my map. It is also possible to cut the distance by going in taxi from La Massana up the Montaner valley to the end of the road. Might even be recommendable since this part is really not that interesting. The descent is also a prime candidate for a taxi ride since it is all on road and about 1000 meters in one go.
2) Follow the GR7 from Andorra la Vella to Certes, northeast of Sant Julia.
An easy walk climaxing in a fantastic view of Andorra and Spain. (User, 9/07)