Andorra Freedom Trail – Chemin de la Liberté – 4 days trekking, 6 days total JUNEI JULY I AUG I SEPT
from
£995.00
Andorra Freedom Trail 2024 dates
1-6 June 24
8-13 June 24
1-6 July 24
4-9 August 24
About the Andorra Freedom Trail
Follow the historic Andorra freedom trail from France via the spectacular ports of Fontargente or Juclar. This trail over the Pyrenees was a key escape route during both the Spanish civil war and World War II. The Pat O’Leary, Dutch-Paris, Francois and the Marie-Claire Lines all used Andorran routes. Having been compromised in the lower and coastal regions the lines had moved inland to take on the high-level routes where, it was rightly thought, they were less likely to encounter enemy patrols as the dangerous and difficult terrain was a deterrent to their pursuers.
Four days of trekking will take you past high mountain lakes, waterfalls, and Europe’s largest health spa. A final section of the Andorran Way leads to Andorra la Vella, where you can admire romanesque art and enjoy tax free shopping! We can usually run this throughout the summer so please enquire if our dates are not suitable.
Click ‘reserve’ below to see available dates. If your preferred dates are not available, please contact us to enquire about alternative dates.
ANDORRA FREEDOM TRAIL ITINERARY
Day 1Arrival at Toulouse and transfer to Ax les Thermes or Chez Arran Apartments, Ussat les Bains
Local river walk on arrival or see a Cathar “spouglas” where they were hiding out in the valley. We can also be an optional visit to the WW2 Evadies memorial in Tarascon sur Ariege where many evadies met their passeurs to head towards the Spanish or Andorran borders. In the evening we will visit the bustling spa town of Les Cabannes village or Tarascon sur Ariege and eat together in a traditional restaurant using locally grown or farmed produce. Many escape routes started from Ussat les Bains and when there was no moon the mountain nights would be pitch-black… Chez Arran apartments with pool or local hotel
Day 2Walk from Barrage de Laparan (1543m) up to the Refuge de Rhule (2185m) 5 hrs, 6.5km +700m
We transfer up the Aston valley to the damn de Laparan before heading through woodland and the open valley lined with flowers to climb up to a stunning mountain lake for lunch. After admiring the scenery, we climb to the Refuge de Rhule via a col nestled on a high plateau below the peak de Rhule. This is the domain of meran horses, sheep and a huge diversity of other fauna and flora. You won’t be disappointed by the authentic mountain ambience, food or organic wines with the majestic pic de Rhule above us. There are 3 main escape routes that were used starting in the Aston Valley in WW2 crossing Fontargente or Juclar into Andorra. Durandeau was the local passeur who often helped escapees reach freedom. Refuge de Rhule(B,L,D)
Day 3 Walk Refuge de Rhule (2185m) – Refuge de Juclar in Andorra (2310m) via porte de Fontargente or Col de Juclar +380m – Val d’incles to Soldeu (1747m)
Today we cross a high pass as escapees did to reach Andorra seeing some spectacular high mountain lakes en route. From the refuge we can see peak Escobes, which is one of the most beautiful mountains in Andorra. We climb upto the border col before descending into a beautiful valley with spectacular mini waterfalls and lined with rhododendron bushes to the Pont de la Baladosa via the Pont del Travenc via col de Juclar or alternatively drop down from the Etangs de Fontargente into Andorra. There is often the chance to see bearded vulture in this area. Once reaching the valley floor we then walk or catch the bus into Soldeu which is a lively ski town. We can celebrate reaching a new country Andorran style in the afternoon. 12.75km 3 or 4* hotel(B,L,D)
Day 4 Soldeu – Estany de Endoglasters via the Cami de la Canal – Andorra La Vella
Today we will walk to Canillo (8km) on the Cami del Gall through beautiful woods from Soldeu with the option of continuing on to the stunning Estany de Endoglasters via the Cami de la Canal.There will be an opportunity to visit Caldea – Europe’s largest health spa that offers 6,000 square metres of inside and outside lagoons, saunas, jacuzzis, Indo-Roman baths, cascades and bubble beds. We will stay in a hotel in Escaldes where WW2 escapees stayed. Some of the best examples of Andorran romanesque art are situated in and around Andorra la Vella. Escaldes is on the edge and world class shopping is also available in this tax-free area. Bus or taxi transfers to our accommodation. We will see the tower of the old radio Andorra building used to send messages during the war on the way which is now home to Andorra’s ministry of Tourism. 3 or 4* hotel(B,L) 16.5km
Day 5 Andorra La Vella to Ax les Thermes or Toulouse. We can also arrange a transfer from Andorra la Vella to finish in Barcelona
Today we will do a local long half day walk above Andorra La Vella or visit the old parliament building in Casa le Vell before transferring to Ax les Thermes after tapas lunch which takes just over an hour. From France the journeys into Andorra could last between three and seven days depending upon the weather conditions. Despite being neutral, Andorra was under close observation from spies and agents from all belligerent countries. Many clandestine meetings are reputed to have taken place in the Hotel Mirador, where everybody watched everybody else! Radio Andorra, a powerful radio station that aimed to remain neutral, broadcast all over Europe. However, Radio Andorra did apparently provide a platform for some refugees to send coded messages in the form of dedicated songs, to their relatives in France to raise awareness of a successful crossing. Restaurant meal. Hotel in Toulouse or Barcelona. (B,L) NB if staying in Barcelona for your final night we charge a supplement.
Day 6 Departures
Self departures.
If you would like to spend 2 nights in a high mountain refuge on this programme it can be extended to 7 days to experience climbing a local peak or seeing another escape col used from the Aston valley by passeurs.
Added Extras
We can offer a WW2 tour of Carcassonne or Toulouse including a visit to the resistance museum on arrival or departure. Please do ask!
All about the Andorra Freedom Trail – Chemin de la Liberté – 4 days trekking, 6 days total JUNEI JULY I AUG I SEPT.
Andorra Freedom Trail WW2 – Passeurs, fugatives and spies
Duration: 6 days – 4 days of trekking;
Accommodation: 5 nights’ accommodation – Mountain Huts and Hotels;
About: This Freedom trail crosses from France to Andorra accross the Pyrenees and is well documented as an escape route from Tarascon Sur Ariege and ascending the Aston valley to take one of 2 cols or ports to cross into Andorra. Andorra played a crucial role in the Spanish civil war and the second world war through its location and relative neutrality. Claude Benet documented in his book several escape routes crossing into Andorra via the Port de Dret, Col de Juclar and Port d’Incles, Siguer, Rat and Arinsal.
Dates & Availability: If you have a minimum of 4 people we are happy to offer the trip on dates suitable to you. June – early October are the best months.
The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance
What is included in this tour?Items that are included in the cost of tour price.
Accommodation and food as specified in the programme; 3 or 4* hotels
Transport to and from Toulouse Blagnac on a single timed transfer per group;
Local transport as per the itinerary
Guiding by an International Mountain leader 1:10 maximum.
Optional visit to a spa in Andorra La Vella
What is not included in this tour?Items that are not included in the cost of tour price.
Flights
Insurance
Mountain snacks; phone calls; alcoholic beverages
Additional transport or accommodation needed if you have to leave the group for a medical or fitness reason
We make a stiff start to the trip gaining height above Merens les Vals heading up a wooded path to the beautiful high mountain lake, Etang de Comte. Then ascending further we access the Refuge de Rhule, nestled on a high plateau below the peak de Rhule. (B,L,D)
Today we cross a high pass as the smugglers would have done to reach Andorra passing four beautiful high mountain lakes. Should conditions allow we will climb a peak and may cross some residual snow. (B,L,D)
Descending into a beautiful valley with spectacular mini waterfalls and lined with rhodaddendron bushes. There is often the chance to see bearded vulture in this area. Soldeu is a lively ski town and we can celebrate reaching a new country Andorran style in the afternoon. We also have the option to go via the Port Dret and then dropping steeply down into town.
Today we walk 12km over gently undulating terrain via Canillo and the chapel of Sant Joan de Cabellos and the Sanyuari de Meritxell. In the evening you will visit Caldea – Europe’s largest health spa that offers 6,000 square metres of inside and outside lagoons, saunas, jacuzzis, Indo-Roman baths, cascades and bubble beds. The Estany de Engoglasters. We will stay in a hotel in Escaldes with spa facility, hot tub, sauna and Turkish bath for our final two nights. (B,L,D)
Some of the best examples of Andorran romanesque art are situated in Andorra la Vella. Escaldes is on the edge and World class shopping is also available in this tax free area. Early afternoon travel back to France and departures from Toulouse Blagnac. Toulouse was a major gathering point for the crossing of the Pyrenees and many fugitives gathered in the Hotel de Paris, managed by Monsieur and Madame Montgelard, who were both eventually captured and deported to concentration camps in Germany; only Madame Montgelard returned. For evaders travelling from Toulouse, Andorra was the mid-point before they reached Barcelona. Both cities had large rail terminals and Barcelona had a very active British Consulate and a hotel structure of ‘safe-houses’ that provided evaders with the opportunity to rest, eat and organise themselves before the final leg of their journey to Lisbon or Gibraltar.(B,L)
Enjoy the evening in this bustling spa town of Ax les Thermes with its cobbled streets, local produce shops and the stunning bains de couloubret. 
Enjoy the evening in this bustling spa town of Ax les Thermes with its cobbled streets, local produce shops and the stunning bains de couloubret. (D)
