Andorra is a landscape of mountains and roads, the scene of great sporting challenges and top-level international competitions, but at the same time, it's a destination surrounded by nature, perfect to be visited with the family and especially with pets.
Although the Andorran territory covers a smaller area compared to its neighbours, it is very common to wonder what places we can visit while enjoying a holiday with the family, especially if we are accompanied by children or elderly people.
That is why the Pardines path is one of the most suitable options for this type of walk due to the minimal difficulty of its route, the natural environment that surrounds it, and the ease of access to reach it.
The Pardines path is an itinerary of about 3.46 km with an approximate duration of 1.5 hours for each part (so 3h for the round trip), although it depends exclusively on the pace and intensity that we apply.
It connects the parishes of Encamp and Escaldes-Engordany along a flat trail that allows both humans and pets to walk with strollers, bicycles or simply on foot. It can be done starting from the Engolasters Lake or from the crossroads of the main road to Els Cortals d'Encamp and the Pardines road.
If we start the walk from Encamp, we will find a large blue zone parking area (payable) (42.530818041269, 1.6004554406443168) where we can leave our vehicle and where there are also special spaces for campers or vans.
Crossing the barrier, at the end of the car park we will find a wide path with a mountain wall on one side and the cliff perfectly signposted on the other, whose impressive views over the valley will accompany us almost all the way.
As soon as we start our route, we can appreciate the vegetation that surrounds us and provides some shade in many sections, as well as fresh and refreshing air, something that is appreciated if you visit this spot during the summer season.
On the first stretch you will come to a panoramic viewpoint that allows you to observe Encamp, a small part of Canillo and the incredible Sanctuary of Meritxell from above, followed just a few metres further on by a small tunnel with information signs about the plant species that you can discover further on and some information about the route.
Continuing a little further, you will come to a waterfall produced by the River La Molina and crossed by a bridge, ideal for taking photographs, where you can also refresh yourself for a moment.
As we go along, we are greeted by wide, green bends (in spring and summer), with species of native vegetation that form a botanical garden, as well as various rest points with tables and water troughs, perfect for enjoying a picnic, recovering our energy and continuing on to our destination: The Engolasters Lake
Another point of interest along the route is the full-scale reproduction of a coal bunker, a type of construction present in the Pyrenees from the 17th to the 19th century. The function of these structures was to transform the wood into charcoal by means of a slow combustion process, which allowed the workers to transfer this charcoal to the ironworks ("Fargas").
Then there are only a few metres before we arrive at the end of our walk, and the desire to see the landscape surrounding the emblematic lake grows increasingly stronger, until we finally come across the fence and several signs marking the end of the route.
Once there, our vision changes, it opens up completely and just for a moment our eyes try to capture the beauty that fills the place. After catching our breath, all we have to do is choose a place where we feel like playing with our pets, or why not, to enjoy a well-deserved nap in the open air.
So now you know that if you visit Andorra and are planning a family day out in the open air, without worrying about the difficulties of the terrain or your budget, The Pardines path is one of the best choices all year round, especially from April to November.
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