Discovering Valira d'Orient. From Canillo to Encamp
What will we find in this excursion?
This is the one and only day of the AWF 2024 that we start on foot from Canillo. We will only use transport to return from Encamp. The participants will connect the towns of Canillo and Encamp, each at their corresponding level.
The low level will follow the Interparroquial path and the Riu Blanc path.
The medium level will reach Encamp passing through Meritxell, the Ordino col and the Bony de les Neres.
The high level, of course, will reach a peak, the Cap de Rep.
We will all finish at the Radio Andorra building where we will make the cultural visit of the day.
Walk grade
Canillo-El Forn-Cap de Rep-Cortals d’Encamp-Encamp
The first part of today's route combines sections of piste and stretches of path until we reach the ski slopes of Forn, the Canillo sector of the Grandvalira ski resort. Here, along the Costa de les Gerderes path, we reach the Cap de Rep, at 2.315 metres. This summit is an excellent 360º panoramic viewpoint. We descend towards the Cortals d'Encamp, a large esplanade with bordas and pastures. The Bosc de les Allaus path, which descends steeply, will take us to the village of Encamp.
Canillo-Meritxell-Main Road CG 2-Mereig bordas-Ordino Col-Bony de les Neres-Encamp
We start the day on the Mossèn Ramon path. This path, which links Canillo with Meritxell, starts at the chapel of Santa Creu, passes the Romanesque church of Sant Miquel de Prats and ends at the Sanctuary of Meritxell Basilica, designed by the architect Ricard Bofill. From here we go down to the CG-2 road, cross it and, now going uphill, along a magnificent, paved path, we reach the Mereig bordas. Afterwards, passing through the Ordino col, we reach the summit of Bony de les Neres, a magnificent viewpoint located in the centre of the Principality. A long and direct descent will take us to the village of Encamp.
Canillo-Prats-Camí de les Pardines-Engolasters lake-Encamp
We will leave Canillo from the Santa Creu chapel, where the Mossèn Ramon path begins. This path passes by the Creu dels set braços and will take us to the village of Prats, where we will find the beautiful Romanesque church of Sant Miquel de Prats. This is where the inter-parish path begins. Passing by three viewpoints and crossing the Cortals river, you will reach the road where the Pardines path begins. This path is built over the water channel that comes from the Ransol dam and supplies the Engolasters lake. Until you reach the lake, the itinerary alternates between open areas with magnificent panoramic views over the valley and forest areas. This itinerary is very interesting from a landscaping point of view. To reach Encamp we take the fourth path of the day, the Riu Blanc path, perhaps the hardest section of the day, as in almost two kilometres it has a negative vertical drop of 350 metres.