The continental, temperate, dry and sunny Mediterranean climate which usually predominates in the Principality during the months of May and August means that the Andorran mountains are the very best place to enjoy green and adventure tourism. From spring to autumn there are many ways to discover the most beautiful and dramatic landscapes of this Pyrenean country.

Andorra has the largest skiable area in the Pyrenees. Grandvalira (Pas de la Casa-Grau Roig and Soldeu-El Tarter) and Vallnord (Ordino-Arcalís and Pal-Arinsal Mountain Park), the two Alpine ski resorts associated with Ski Andorra, have a total of 3,075 hectares of skiing area, -282 kilometres of pistes, 106 ski lifts, and 1,417 artificial snow cannons. These facilities, combined with those of the Rabassa and Parador Canaro snowfields, make Andorra the Land of Snow.

Andorra is a country of adventure and activities par excellence. In summer, the mountain stations of Grandvalira, Naturlandia-La Rabassa and Vallnord offer a wide range of activities for enjoying the fresh air and discovering new sensations. All-terrain and downhill bike circuits, trips in quads, vias ferratas and rocodromes, horse-riding, karts, jumping, helibike and free flying are some of these activities.

Andorra is a country of adventure and activities par excellence. In summer, the mountain stations of Grandvalira, Naturlandia-La Rabassa and Vallnord offer a wide range of activities for enjoying the fresh air and discovering new sensations. All-terrain and downhill bike circuits, trips in quads, vias ferratas and rocodromes, horse-riding, karts, jumping, helibike and free flying are some of these activities.

Ordino–Arcalís, Naturlandia–La Rabassa (Sant Julià de Lòria) and Canillo offer interpretation and adventure routes to get started in the world of orientation.

The youngest members of the family have their own space in the Ordino Nature Interpretation Centre, the environmental education workshop which is supported by UNESCO.

Enjoying a ride on horseback or mountain biking are other options. The latter is a relatively new sporting discipline, which is ideal for discovering the hidden tracks and routes in the valleys of Andorra.

Some of the most popular excursions are in the valleys of Madriu and Incles, to the Pessons and Tristaina lakes or the peaks of Coma Pedrosa and Casamanya. For their part, the cable railways of Soldeu, Encamp and Arinsal or surmounts of Grandvalira and Vallnord offer exceptional landscapes.

Another possibility is fishing, which can be enjoyed from mid-April until the end of September in Andorra’s high mountain rivers and lakes. This provides a unique opportunity for a relaxing activity in the open air whilst discovering the richness of the mountain from a different viewpoint.

The Principality also has an extensive network of trails and paths to be taken on foot, or by bicycle or horse – a healthier form of tourism. The GRP1, for example, crosses the whole country, setting out from Sant Julià de Lòria, continuing through La Rabassa, by Pas de la Casa and Arcalís, and ending up at the village of La Massana.

The GR7, which passes through Juberri (Sant Julià de Lòria), and the GR11, which goes to Arinsal, run from the French border to the Spanish border and every step provides spectacular views of the Pyrenees.

Although they are open all year round, Andorran mountain refuges are cleaned and maintained from May to the end of September. Visiting all of them – there are a total of 27 – is another way to enjoy the Principality of Andorra during the summer months. While most have room for 6 to 10 people, the Coma Pedrosa refuge (La Massana) space for 60. This is one of the biggest in the Pyrenees and is open and monitored from mid-June to September. At La Massana is the Cortals de Sispony Natur Refugi with a total of 60 places: Pla de l’Estany and Fonts have a capacity of between 4 of 6 people. Other outstanding refuges are at Canillo, like the one at Juclar, with 50 places; the Cabana Sorda refuge with 20 places; the Siscaró and Vall de Riu mountain refuges, which can take between 10 and 14 people, and Cóms de Jan, with a capacity for 10 people.

At Encamp is the L’Illa refuge, which can accommodate between 40 and 65 people; the refuge at Ensagents sleeps 14, the one at Montmalús sleeps 8 to 12, and the smallest in the Principality, at El Pla de les Pedres, is for 5 people only. Further on is the Sortney refuge, with room for 30; the Coma Obaga for 15; Argonella for 6 and Rialb, which can accommodate between 4 and 6 are some of the refuges in the Vall d’Ordino.

In Andorra la Vella is the Claror refuge, which can take 20 people and the Perafita and Pra Primer refuges with a capacity for 4 or 6 people. Escaldes-Engordany has the Fontverd refuge, with a total of 14 places, and the Riu dels Orris refuge. And finally, in Sant Julià de Lòria is the outstanding Roca de Pimes and the Francoli, which can sleep between 4 and 6 people.

• Do not force the doors; the refuges are always open.
• During your stay, do not waste the wood; think of others.
• Make sure fires are completely extinguished before you leave.
• When you go, make sure you leave everything the way you found it.

In summer, the Andorran town councils offer guide services to visit the Romanesque churches in the Principality of Andorra.