Tristaina Lakes

How to get there

The lakes are in Ordino-Arcalís, in the north-west of Andorra. To get there you head towards the Arcalís ski station. From Andorra la Vella it's about 40 minutes by car.

By car

From Andorra la Vella, take the CG-3 towards Ordino. When you reach Ordino, keep following the signs towards Arcalís. Once you pass the Arcalís station ( Google Maps link), carry on up the road to the La Coma Restaurant ( Google Maps link).

Important: in summer (usually June to September) the road from the Arcalís station to La Coma is closed to traffic from 8:30 to 17:30. During that window you have to use the cable car (I explain how below). From 17:30 you can drive up to the La Coma Restaurant car park, which is where the route starts.

The Tristaina cable car

When the road is closed you can leave the car at the Arcalís station and take the Tristaina cable car up to La Coma. The trip takes about 10 minutes and the views from up there are lovely.

From the base car park (without the cable car)

If you decide to skip the cable car and start the route from the Arcalís station car park, keep in mind that you add an extra stretch with a fair bit of ascent. I wouldn't recommend it if you're going with small kids or if you're not used to walking in the mountains. Better to wait for the road to open or take the cable car.

The route

The route links the three lakes together: the Estany Primer, the Estany del Mig and the Estany de Més Amunt. It's a circular route of about 4.4 km with roughly 210 metres of ascent. It takes between 2 and 3 hours depending on how often you stop for photos or a rest.

Start of the route

The trail starts next to the La Coma Restaurant. It's very well signposted, with signs pointing to the "Estanys de Tristaina". You'll see the path on the left of the restaurant straight away.

Source: Wikiloc route

After about 30 minutes you reach a sign offering two options: go down a little to the Estany Primer, or carry on towards the Estany del Mig. It doesn't matter where you start because it's circular, so you end up passing all three lakes anyway.

The three lakes

These are the approximate times between each lake if you start at the Estany Primer:

• La Coma Restaurant → Estany Primer: 40 minutes
• Estany Primer → Estany del Mig: 20 minutes
• Estany del Mig → Estany de Més Amunt: 15 minutes
• Estany de Més Amunt → start sign: 30 minutes

Source: Wikiloc route

The route is very well signposted and it's impossible to get lost. There are usually quite a few people around too, so there's always someone nearby if you have any doubts.

The three lakes formed thousands of years ago during the last ice age. The glacial cirque (or Circ de Tristaina) is the natural basin that holds them, and the landscape is really spectacular.

Swimming in the lakes

Swimming is allowed in all three lakes. The water is cold, but on a sunny summer day it's perfectly doable. It's a really lovely experience to dip your feet, or even go for a full swim surrounded by mountains. If you want more places to swim in summer (rivers, natural pools and swimming pools), I explain where to swim in Andorra in my guide.

If you're planning to swim, bring a swimsuit and a towel. The best time is midday or early afternoon, when the sun has warmed things up a bit. The Estany de Més Amunt, the biggest of the three, is ideal for relaxing after the walk.

Best time to go

The best time to do the route is from late May to October, when the trail is free of snow. In summer (July and August) that's when most people go, so if you prefer quiet I'd recommend June, September or October.

In July and August afternoon storms are common in the mountains, so it's better to set off in the morning and finish before 3pm or 4pm. That way you avoid being caught by a storm in the middle of the route.

In winter the route is covered in snow and isn't accessible without specialist gear (snowshoes, crampons). Don't attempt it in winter unless you're going with a guide and the right equipment.

Photos of the Tristaina Lakes

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Next to the Estany Primer.

Practical tips

What to bring

• Comfortable footwear: Hiking shoes or trainers with a good sole. You don't need mountain boots if the trail is dry.
• Water: Bring at least 1 litre per person. There are no fountains along the route.
• Sun protection: Sunscreen, a cap and sunglasses. The sun is strong up in the mountains.
• Windbreaker or rain jacket: Even in summer it can cool down in the mountains and storms come out of nowhere.
• Snacks: Something to eat along the way (nuts, energy bars, a sandwich).

Respect the surroundings

The Tristaina Lakes are inside the Ordino Biosphere Reserve. It's important to respect the environment:

• Don't leave any rubbish behind. Bring a bag to collect your waste.
• Stick to the marked paths. Don't step off the trail to protect the vegetation.
• Don't make too much noise. Respect the quiet of the mountains and the wildlife.

After the route

If you want to make it a full experience, after the route you can carry on up to the Tristaina Solar Viewpoint. It's a metal structure suspended at 2,701 metres with 360° views over the lakes and the surrounding peaks. You get there with the cable car plus the chairlift from La Coma. For more panoramic viewpoints without much walking, have a look at my guide to the best viewpoints in Andorra.

Other easy hikes in Andorra