# A summer day in the Ordino valley: the Tristaina lakes, chargrill in El Serrat and the Llorts mine

The three-hour loop round the three Tristaina lakes, above Ordino Arcalís, a lunch of chargrilled meat and local veal in El Serrat and, in the afternoon, the Llorts iron mine and the Ruta del Ferro, among sculptures.

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/andorra/ordino/itineraries/tristaina-lakes-and-iron-mine · Revisado: 2026-11-13

## El día
- 06:30 · Salida: 2 h 30 by car (via the C-14, La Seu d'Urgell, the Sant Julià customs post and the CG-3)
- 09:30 · The Estanys de Tristaina, three lakes above Arcalís (4.4 km loop · on cable-car days, the road to La Coma is restricted from 8:30 to 17:00: go up on it · with a guide, €55) · Ordino Arcalís, From €55 per person
  - 15 min by car, 10 km
- 13:30 · Hotel Niunit restaurant (charcoal-grilled meat and Carn d'Andorra veal · €€€) · Hotel Niunit restaurant, €€€
  - 6 min by car, 4 km
- 15:30 · Llorts iron mine and the Ruta del Ferro (mine, €6.75 · last entry at 17:00; then the Ruta del Ferro)
- 18:00 · Vuelta (in Lleida around 20:30)

The Ordino valley can be covered from top to bottom in a summer day: in the morning, the high mountains of Tristaina, above the ski resort; at midday, El Serrat; in the afternoon, the villages below, with an iron mine and a path of sculptures.

## From 2,220 metres to the tunnel

6:30 · Departure. From Lleida along the C-14 and La Seu d'Urgell, the Sant Julià de Lòria customs post and, at Andorra la Vella, the CG-3 northwards through La Massana and Ordino. Carry your ID card.

9:30 · Estanys de Tristaina. The circular loop round the three lakes is 4.4 km and 210 metres of ascent, about three hours at an easy pace, from the La Coma car park, at 2,220 metres. On days when the Tristaina cable car runs, the road to La Coma is restricted from 8:30 to 17:00, so go up on it. The first lake is forty minutes away and is easy with children; in the top one, the Més Amunt, swimming is allowed in summer. If you prefer a guide, the resort organises one for €55 with a minimum of six.

13:30 · Lunch in El Serrat. Go down to the restaurant of the Hotel & Spa Niunit: local cooking, chargrill and veal with the Carn d'Andorra seal. Call first on +376 735 735.

15:30 · Llorts mine. A few kilometres away, in Llorts, thirty metres of tunnel of the old iron mine, €6.75 for adults and €3.75 for ages 6 to 12. The last entry is at 17:00. On the way out, the Ruta del Ferro, an easy 4.2 km mostly downhill among sculptures, in case you have legs left.

18:00 · Return. Along the CG-3, Andorra la Vella and La Seu. In Lleida around half past eight.

## If you stay the night

The valley has a base for two days: in La Cortinada, the Hotel Mu & Spa accepts small dogs, and in Ordino the Hotel Coma has a pool. The next day, the Vall de Sorteny or the Tristaina Mirador Solar.

## Cómo llegar

### By car
From Lleida, about two and a half hours along the C-14 and La Seu d'Urgell. From Barcelona, about three, along the C-16 and the Cadí tunnel or the C-14.

## Consejos

### Check the cable-car days
On days when it runs, the road to La Coma is closed from 8:30 to 17:00.

### Bring swimwear
In summer you can swim in the top lake.

### Book the mine
Online or at the Ordino tourist office, on +376 878 173.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### How long does it take to do the Estanys de Tristaina?
About three hours for the full loop, 4.4 km; the first lake is 40 minutes away.

### How much does the Llorts mine cost?
€6.75 for adults and €3.75 for ages 6 to 12.

### Can you do it with children?
Yes: as far as the first lake, the mine and the Ruta del Ferro are all easy.