In this article
In this article
Hi, I'm Manuel, I was born and raised in Encamp. I've been to Engolasters Lake several times. It's one of the few Andorran lakes you can drive right up to, because most of them you have to walk to. What I like about it is that you can walk all the way around the lake through the trees, and it's a simple plan that works at any age.
In this guide I'll explain how to get to the lake (by car, bus or on foot from Encamp), what the circular route is like, what to expect in winter and summer, and what you can see around the area: the church of Sant Miquel d'Engolasters, the Electricity Museum with its visit inside the dam, the Mirador de les Fonts or the adventure park next to the car park.
If you're organising your trip, I also mention it in my Andorra in 2-3 days itinerary. And if you want to see everything the village offers, I've got a complete guide to what to do in Encamp. If you're into other lakes, I've written a guide to all the lakes in Andorra.
Book an activity at the lake
If you want to book excursions or activities at the lake and around Encamp, have a look at the Civitatis options. There are plenty to choose from and this activity has good reviews.
How to get to Engolasters Lake
By car and where to park
From Andorra la Vella it takes about 15 minutes. You take the CG-2 to the Engolasters roundabout and then the CS-200 uphill. You pass through the village of Engolasters and the church of Sant Miquel (I'll explain later why it's worth a stop). In your GPS you can enter "Aparcament de les Fonts" or go straight for the Engolasters Lake car park.
There are a few free spaces next to the car park, on the dirt track opposite. That said, there aren't many. If you want more detail on parking around Andorra, take a look at my guide to where to park in Andorra.
Walking up from Encamp (hiking)
If you'd rather walk, from Encamp you can climb up to the lake on a hiking trail. The start point is opposite the Encamp Car Museum. It's a trail of about 2 km with +350 m of ascent. The climb takes roughly 1h15 and the descent about 45 minutes. The difficulty is easy and it follows the GR-11 signage.
You'll find more details (map and GPX track) on the official Visit Andorra listing.
Route from Les Pardines (flat)
If you're closer to Encamp and fancy a flat walk to the lake, another option is the camí de les Pardines. It's a horizontal route at around 1,600 metres that gets you to the lake in about 45 minutes. Some people go running there. It's a pleasant stroll but it's usually in the shade, so it's perfect when it's hot and less ideal when it's cold.
There's a small car park right next to the start. You get there via the carretera dels Cortals. Here's the Google Maps link for the start of the camí de les Pardines.
By bus
Yes, you can get there directly by bus. The bus leaves from Escaldes-Engordany, from the Caldea stop, and goes up to the lake. There's a stop right next to it. For timetables and the latest details, check the comú at the bottom of the page: E-E Bus (Escaldes-Engordany).
The circular lake route
Once you've parked, in less than 10 minutes on foot you're already facing the lake. The full loop takes about 30 minutes at a relaxed pace, with no climbs, on a wide and well-marked path. It's what I usually do when we go as a family: a quick stroll around the lake through the pine forest.
The walk is suitable for kids and pets and it's a good option if you're looking for what to do in Andorra with kids. That said, in winter you have to be careful with patches of ice.
One important detail: the lake is used to generate electricity, so swimming is forbidden. If you fancy a swim in Andorran mountain lakes, the Tristaina Lakes do allow it and they're one of my favourite summer plans. And if you're generally into swimming (rivers, pools and swimming pools), here's my guide to where to swim in Andorra.
When to go: winter, summer and weather
The great thing about Engolasters Lake is that it's accessible all year round because the road to the car park is paved. That said, every season has its own charm.
In summer, since the circular route goes through the forest, you have shade nearly the whole way. It's a good option when it's hot down in the centre. There are areas with tables for a picnic right next to the lake.
In autumn the pines and the surroundings look great with the forest colours, and there's usually hardly anyone around.
In winter it's especially worth it. Part of the lake freezes and keeps a layer of ice on top that looks brilliant. I've been several times in winter. Just wrap up warm, because it gets cold.
What to see and do at the lake and nearby
As well as the circular walk, there's plenty around the lake worth spending time on. I've listed them so you can combine them in the same day.
Church of Sant Miquel d'Engolasters
It's on the road up, before you reach the car park, right by the asphalt ( location on Google Maps). It's worth stopping for a moment: it's a Romanesque church with a tall, slender Lombard bell tower. The Romanesque murals that used to be inside were moved decades ago to the MNAC in Barcelona, so what you see today are reproductions. There are also good views over the valley from there.
Hydroelectric path and Electricity Museum
This is one of the most original plans in the area and a lot of people don't know about it. From May to September, the Electricity Museum offers the option of visiting the inside of the lake dam and seeing how it all works. It's a guided tour of the dam and its surroundings, nothing like a hiking route.
Mirador de Les Fonts
Next to the car park there's the Mirador de les Fonts. From the car park it's just 600 metres, it's literally right there, so it's worth the detour. From the viewpoint you can see the centre of Andorra between the mountains. If you want to discover more panoramic viewpoints, check my guide to the best viewpoints in Andorra.
Circuito de les Fonts and Tamarro Caldes
If you fancy making the walk longer, the Circuito de les Fonts starts at the car park: a small signposted path between the trees that passes by the Font de les Ordigues and leads to one of the Tamarros of Andorra: Tamarro Caldes. The Tamarros are wooden sculptures dotted all over the country and kids love spotting them. If you're with little ones, the tourist offices give out a booklet to stamp every time they find one. More about the Tamarros on the official Visit Andorra website.
Bosc Aventura Engolasters
Next to the car park, up in the trees, is the adventure park: ziplines, suspension bridges and balance games. It opens when the ski season ends. I haven't been in myself, so for prices, opening hours and the courses I'll leave you with the official Bosc Aventura website.
Combining it with other visits in Encamp
Since Encamp is my village, I can tell you that the lake combines well with other visits nearby. I'd chain it with:
- The Tibetan Bridge in Encamp (free, and less crowded than the one in Canillo).
- The medieval village of Les Bons with its Romanesque church and the Torre dels Moros.
The lake's history: legend and origin
The legend of the Engolasters witches
The best known legend around the lake is that of the witches of Engolasters. Oral tradition says that where the lake is today there used to be a village that was swallowed by the water as divine punishment for its inhabitants (hence the name, "Engolasters", which is usually linked to engolar, to swallow). It also says there were witches who bathed naked in the lake at night, and that the men who came too close to watch them ended up being turned into black cats as punishment. According to the story, the witches eventually left the place in the early 20th century, coinciding with the arrival of the dam works.
A lake of glacial origin
Beyond the legend, Engolasters Lake is of glacial origin. The valley where it sits is a glacial basin formed during the last ice ages, and there was already a small natural lake here long before any dam was built.
The 1934 dam and the enlargement of the lake
In 1934, the company FHASA (Forces Hidroelèctriques d'Andorra) built a dam at the end of the lake to harness the water and generate electricity. The dam considerably enlarged the surface of the natural lake and, on top of that, water from the Madriu river was diverted into the reservoir through an underground canal to increase the flow available to the hydroelectric plant.
The Engolasters power station was one of the first big pieces of electrical infrastructure in Andorra and it marked an important change for the country. Today you can visit the Electricity Museum (MW Museu de l'Electricitat) in Encamp, where they explain that whole history and from where the guided dam visits start.
Other easy hikes in Andorra
If you liked this route and you're after more easy hikes in Andorra, I'd recommend:
- Top 7 easy hikes: The best easy hikes in Andorra: from city walks with views to accessible mountain lakes. A local's guide with the practical details.
- Guide to Andorra's lakes: Andorra's lakes ranked: the prettiest ones, the easy to reach ones and where you can swim.
- Rec del Solà: A flat walk with panoramic views of Andorra la Vella. Perfect with kids or dogs, in summer and in winter alike.
- Tibetan Bridge in Encamp: A short route with a free suspension bridge and the chance to swim in the river in summer.
- Les Bons: A walk through an old village up to the church of Sant Romà with its Romanesque frescoes. From there a green mountain path continues, perfect for a longer stroll.
- Tristaina Lakes: Three high-mountain lakes joined by a 4.4 km loop in Ordino Arcalís. In summer you can swim in one of them (cold, but worth it!).
Born and raised in Encamp, Andorra. In my free time I explore my country and share the best activities, trails and hidden spots that most travel guides don't mention.
