Andorra Freedom Trail – Passeurs, Fugitives and Spies – 4 days trekking, 6 days total JULY I AUG I SEPT
from £695.00
Follow the historic Andorra freedom trail from France via the spectacular Soulcem Valley and Port de Rat. This trail over the Pyrenees was a key escape route during both the Spanish civil war and World War II.
Five 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 de 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.
All about the Andorra Freedom Trail – Passeurs, Fugitives and Spies – 4 days trekking, 6 days total JULY I AUG I SEPT.
Chemin de la Liberté Andorran Escape – Passeurs, fugatives and spies
Duration: 6 days – 5 days of trekking;
Accommodation: 5 nights accommodation – Mountain Huts and Hotel;
About: 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, Sigeuer, Rat and Arinsal. Routes lead to either the spa town of Escaldes or to the now famous ski resort of Soldeu.
Dates & Availability: If you have a minimum of 4 people we are happy to offer the trip on dates suitable to you. July – September 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;
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.
Visit to a spa and opportunity to shop in Andorra
Whats 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. (D)
