Vall del Madriu from Escaldes, the World Heritage valley

The Madriu is the valley that opens above Escaldes and that UNESCO declared a World Heritage cultural landscape: bordes, farming terraces, cobbled paths and shepherds' huts in a valley without roads. And it starts on foot from Escaldes itself.

The route

Visit Andorra describes an itinerary of 13.6 km and 1,180 metres of ascent, taking 3 to 6 hours, which it rates as hard. It leaves Escaldes along the road to La Comella and La Plana, about thirty metres past the junction with the Engolasters road, signposted. It climbs to Entremesaigües, continues past Ràmio to the Fontverd refuge and carries on towards the Riu dels Orris and the Estany de Bova. You do not need to reach the end: Entremesaigües, the first confluence, is already a good half-morning walk.

Mountain huts

Fontverd, at 1,880 metres, is open all year, unstaffed, with about fourteen places, a fireplace and water nearby. Riu dels Orris, at 2,230, has ten places, also open to all. Higher up, L'Illa, at 2,488 metres, is the staffed hut, with about sixty places.

Rules of the valley

No motor vehicles are allowed in. Camping in some cases requires permission from the comú: ask at the Portal de la Vall. Follow the marked paths, close the gates, respect the livestock and do not feed the animals or the sheepdogs. From September to February it is hunting season: wear brightly coloured clothing. In May 2026 the valley answered a public question to say that dogs may enter on a lead.

Before you set out

The Portal de la Vall, in the Borda Gabriel on Carrer de l'Obac, in Escaldes, gives free information Monday to Friday: from 9:00 to 16:30 between Easter and 1 November, and from 8:00 to 15:00 in winter. In summer it organises free guided outings with registration, on +376 823 000. You can park at the Circuit de les Fonts car park, on the CS-200, on the Engolasters esplanade or on the La Plana road.