Three Nations Freedom Trail – France, Spain and Andorra I 6 days I JUL I AUG I SEPT

Day 2 Transfer to Monicou and walk Monicou 1138m (Fr) via the porte de Bouet (2500m) – Refuge de Vallferrera, Spain +1360m

After crossing the Etang de Soulcem we ascend past the Orri’s of Carla, ancient stone dwellings we climb to the Porte de Bouet and descend to the refuge of Vallferrera in Spain. 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! Most of the guides on the Andorran routes were Spanish – often smugglers; sometimes their groups were quite large. (B,L,D)

Day 3 Walk refugi Vallferrera – Peak Coma Pedrosa (Andorra’s highest peak)– refugi Coma de Pedrosa (2,265 m)  

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. If conditions allow we will climb the highest peak in Andorra, Coma Pedrosa (2942m).

Radio Andorra, a powerful radio station that aimed to remain neutral, broadcast all over Europe and was greatly coveted by the Germans who dearly wished to purchase it or at least manipulate it for propaganda purposes – all to no avail, although they did succeed in gaining access to Radio Montecarlo. 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. (B,L,D)

Day 4 Refugi Coma de Pedrosa to Pla d’Estany – El Serrat – La Massana (Andorra) 8hrs, + 816m,

Today we will see some ancient mines and cross a col of 2591m on our trek to El Serrat. 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. From El Serrat we will take a short bus or taxi to buzzing ski resort hub of La Massana where we will stay. You will love the ambiance of this lively town which sports a great variety of tapas bars, restaurants and outdoor shops. We stay in a hotel with spa facilities. (Hotel & Spa 4****)

Day 5 Walk El Serrat – Ori’s of Carla (5hrs 30 mins) via the port de rat 14km + 1017m – transfer to Toulouse

After leaving town we climb to the beautiful lakes of Tristagne for lunch. After a short descent we climb once more up and over the Port de Rat and back into France following the valley floor to the Ori’s of Carla where we will be picked up. If we chose it may be possible to take an alternative route via a series of more than eight beautiful mountain lakes to the other side of the Etang de Soulcem which involves a greater height gain and some steeper ground. We then take a transfer to Toulouse which is reached in under 2 hours after staying in a boutique hotel within easy reach of the enigmatic Place de la Capitol.

(B,L)

Day 6 Departures to Toulouse Blagnac

From your boutique hotel you will make your own way to the airport in the morning using the airport bus from Gare Matabieu or by taxi.

(B)