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Andorra has weather patterns that can baffle a first time visitor. During the summer it can be sunny and warm in the morning then rain and hail torrentially in the afternoon and next break out in bright sun once again.

I’ve been told that there isn’t one month in the year that it doesn’t snow. When one goes hiking during the summer there is sometimes the danger of a lightning storm during afternoon rainstorms that can be deadly.

Hiking in Arinsal

I have my favorite hikes, short and long. When I am in the mood for a simple meditative hike I take a path to a hidden rushing stream. I actually sprinkled my cat’s ashes in this spot.

As animals do, she would always get upset when I went traveling; so I figured at last she could reside in one of my favorite places to visit.

In May the path to the stream is dancing with an amazing variety of delicate wild flowers. Some I could name such as the brilliant red poppies, others are anonymous flowers looking like they are from a fictional planet.

I have a steeper hike up to a water trough, which on the clock takes a half hour. One knows they are getting a work out as you start huffing and puffing onward and upward on the slippery shale road.

The flowers in May are out in full force on this path as well. There are delicate wild rockroses and funny little tubular flowers along with more sedate yellow blossoms. Near the free flowing water spigot at the trough there grows a singular wild orchid. The water from Andorra is the best tasting I have ever had in my life.

When one is in an adventurous mood you can choose to hike further either to the Estany de les Truites (Trout Lake), or the Refugi de Camapedrossa, a refuge where you can get a meal or spend the night in a dormitory bed.

The hikes are strenuous but the scenery is out of this world. In years past I have come across horses grazing in the fields. Someone say they are being raised for horsemeat. I do not know if this was true. I have never seen this on the menu in Andorra.

Hiking in Ordino

Hiking in the back meadows of Ordino is a gentler route than some. The flowers bloom throughout the valley. At the beginning of the trail there is a stone table and seating for the picnickers who don’t fancy much exercise, who just want to enjoy instant nature with their feast.

Before arriving to the Ordino meadows, it is amazing to come across a house. One can’t imagine how someone managed to build anything in such a remote area. But the reward of their labors was an absolutely spectacular setting and gorgeous views.

Entering the Valley one finds a meandering rushing stream. Again there are signs of civilization, a double grilled stone barbeque. What an amazing place to have a gathering. The flowers in the fields are magnificent.

On one of my hikes I came across a hiker from the Isle of Skye. He had hiked the famous Spanish pilgrimage, known as the Compostella. Hiking in Andorra is not for the meek.

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Wildflower on the hike at Arinsal

Wildflower on the hike at Arinsal

Wildflower on the hike at Arinsal

Wildflower on the hike at Arinsal

Hiking Water Trough

Hiking in Ordino