The Pyrenees Mountain Range is known for many things, from its skiing to its cuisine to its culture. It is also famous for having some of the most beautiful lakes in southern Europe and, nestled right along the border between France and Andorra, you’ll find the Estanys de Tristaina, known as the Tristaina Lakes, in English.
Located in the Ordino parish of Andorra, in the north-west corner of the microstate, the Tristaina Lakes are a series of three mountain lakes located high up in the Pyrenees. These three lakes are called Estany Primer, Estany del Mig and Estany de Més Amunt and each is beautiful in its own way.
There is a popular and moderate hiking route, called the Tristaina Lake Trail Andorra, and this is well worth doing if you visit the country during the spring, summer or autumn months. The altitude is high, reaching a maximum of 2,330 metres, so this should be taken into consideration, but the high altitude logically means picturesque views over the Pyrenean countryside.
How to get to Tristaina Lakes?
If you are keen to try the Tristaina Lake Trail Andorra during your holiday, you’ll want to know how to get to Tristaina Lakes. If you’re staying at the Ordino Arcalís resort then you’ll be starting off really close to the beginning of the route, which commences at La Coma Del Forat, located at coordinates of N42 37.906 / E1 28.930. If you’re travelling from further afield, or if you want to drive to the starting point, just follow the CS-380 road until you reach La Coma.
On your way, you’ll pass the Arcalís 91 monument. This is a steel ring made by sculptor Mauro Staccioli, which measures in at 13 feet in diameter. To see this ring in the middle of the countryside is striking, and also a helpful sign that you’re going the right way.
The complete Tristaina Lake Trail Andorra route is detailed on the Visit Andorra website, and it is recommended that you download the map of the trail before you set off, given that signal might be weak in this area.
Once you’ve done that, and taken the other usual precautions ahead of a high-altitude hike, it’s time to set off and explore the Tristaina Lakes!
Hiking trails around Tristaina Lakes
There are a few different ways you can approach the hiking trails around Tristaina Lakes, but the main one and the most common route to follow is the 4.4 kilometre Tristaina Lake Trail Andorra. It’ll depend on the hiking abilities and levels of your group, but all in all it should take around two and a half hours.
After setting off from the car park, you approach the first of the lakes, which is Estany Primer. Fittingly, this translates to First Lake, in English. While it may be the smallest of the three Tristaina Lakes, it is arguably the most gorgeous as it has such clear and blue water.
The route will then take you by the eastern shore of the Estany del Mig, which is the Middle Lake, in English. You won’t see much of this lake at this point, and the route continues up to the southern banks of the Estany de Més Amunt, meaning the Above Lake. This is the most northern point of the route, right at the foothills of the Tristaina Summit. It’s also approximately halfway, so a good spot to stop for a breather.
As you return towards the starting point, you’ll now pass by the western side of the Middle Lake and the route now runs closer alongside the waters. As such, you have a better chance to explore the beauty of this lake during the second half of the route.
The Tristaina Lakes hike then rejoins the earlier part of the route, having completed a loop, and you can follow the main path back towards the Tristaina Lakes parking area, and enjoy the descent after having climbed this same path at the very start of the route.
Family-friendly activities at Tristaina Lakes
One good thing about the Tristaina Lake Trail Andorra is that this is a very moderate hiking route, so families with children of a certain age can all embark on this adventure together. There is a lot to see along the way, and the two-and-a-half-hour walking time is pretty perfect for a family day out.
One activity many families are curious about is the possibility of Tristaina Lakes swimming, and it is possible to swim in the Tristaina Lakes of Andorra, specifically at the Estany de Més Amunt, the Above Lake. The principality is known for having many Andorra swimming lakes, with Juclar Lake widely regarded as the most popular. However, other famous swimming lakes in Andorra include Nou Lake, Pessons Lake and Tristaina Lake. The reason these other lakes aren’t more popular for swimming has nothing to do with the lakes themselves; it’s that they are more difficult to reach. But, if you’ve already managed to make it to the shores of the Tristaina Lakes, then swimming is absolutely something you should try if the weather and the conditions are right, and if you see that bathing is permitted at the time of year of your visit.
Whether you swim at the at Tristaina Lakes or just admire the scenery, this is definitely one of the most enjoyable Andorra summer activities to add to your itinerary. So, download your map and get ready to enjoy the three lovely Tristaina Lakes!