Route 06: Cal Roger – Sant Julià de Lòria

Description of the Route

Section 11: From Caubella to Mas d’Alins via the Collada de la Torre

We leave Roques de la Caubella and head north directly towards Collada de la Torre. Before reaching the Collada we will pass by the Guàrdia spring (50 min) where we can drink some good water, and we will reach the Collada de la Torre in another 40 min.

On the way down we will pass the Baralla spring (15 min) with plenty of water. We will continue descending through the forest until we reach the Civís river (40 min).

We will continue for about 50 meters along the Sant Joan Fumat road, in the opposite direction to this town, east, and we will turn left when we see the blue and yellow signs to go up the Barranc de la Cabra Morta.

To overcome this ravine we will do it in three successive climbs: with the first climb we will overcome the ravine in its middle part (25 min.), with the second we will climb to the base of the wall (25 min.), and with the third we will reach the top of the ravine by climbing the “Pas de l’Escalerilla” (25 min). This route was widely used by smugglers in the area.

We will then arrive at the Col de la Cabra Morta (15 min). At the exit of the pass we will not descend towards Argolell, but continue slightly to the left crossing the Bosquet de Lluçà until we reach the borders of Lluçà and shortly afterwards the hermitage of Santa Maria de Feners (30 min).

We will cross the river Argolell and go up the mountain to reach Mas d’Alins (40 min).

The total journey from Les Roques de la Caubella to Mas d’Alins, passing through the Collada de la Torre, will take about 5 hours.

Summary of Section 11

De les Roques de la Caubella a la font de la Guàrdia	50 min
De la Font de la Guàrdia a la Collada de la Torre	40 min.
De la Collada de la Torre a la Font de la Baralla	15 min.
De la Font de la Baralla al Riu de Civís	50 min.
Del riu de Civís al coll de la Cabra Morta	1 h. 30 min.
Del Coll de la Cabra Morta a l’ermita de Feners	20 min.
De l’ermita de Santa Maria de Feners a Mas d’Alins	35 min.
Total	5 h.

Section 11 From Caubella to Mas d’Alins via Coll Peixader

We leave Cal Roger in an east direction, passing behind the house and following the round yellow markings.
We will first pass through Cal Serrat (10 minutes) which we will leave on the right. Shortly afterwards we will also leave Campmajor on the right and further down (10 minutes), to climb the mountain range towards the northeast, until we reach Coll Peixader (1 hour).

We will descend on the north side through the Gogoll forest in the direction of Ca l’Arnau, alternating the forest with sections of track until joining the path that descends from the Collada de la Torre (50 minutes) and to the Riu de Civís (25 minutes).

From this point we follow the same route as Tram 10.

The duration of this route through the Coll Peixader is 30 minutes longer than through the Collada de la Torre.

Camping areas and water points:

– At the Collada de la Torre with tents (A2)
– On the same path, before reaching the Riu de Civís, with tents (A2)

Water points:
Fountain of the Guard (F3)
Font de la Baralla (F3)
In the villages of Argolell and Arduix (F3)
At Mas d’Alins (F3)

Section 12: From Mas d’Alins to Sant Julià de Lòria

We will leave Mas d’Alins following a dirt track, to soon climb towards the forest on the left along a cow trail that we will follow until we reach the change of slope. The descent through the forest leads us to some warehouses in Les Bordes del Bou (35 minutes). Shortly before you get there, there is a well-prepared fire on the ground and a place to pitch two or three tents. Just below there is the track that goes to an oratory of the Virgin of Canòlich.

Since the ascent through the forest crosses a private land that is surrounded by a wire fence that must be crossed, we recommend following the following route in which we will use the same amount of time: Leaving Mas d’Alins we will continue along the track until reach the Pardines. Past this house are some repeater antennas. Just past the repeater you must follow the path that goes out to the left and goes into the forest. You will leave some pools of water on the right and in 7 minutes, without leaving the path in the forest, you will reach the fire on the ground right on the Canòlic track, above the warehouses of the Ox.

We go out onto the track and turn towards Les Bordes del Gastó. Before reaching it we find another fire on the ground to the left. We turn left into the forest and between the fire on the ground and take the track below to the left, until we find round yellow signs. Following these signs we leave the track and take a path to the right that will take us downhill to the neighborhood of Fontaneda (25 minutes), where there is the Romanesque hermitage of Sant Miquel.

From Fontaneda the signs are round yellow or white and yellow stripes. We continue down the old Fontaneda path with magnificent views of the Valira valley until we reach Coll de Jou (45 min.). From this pass, you can clearly see, below, the town of Sant Julià. Here is a fire on the floor well prepared. From Coll de Jou we go down, alternating the road with the old path. We pass the Romanesque hermitage of Sant Mateu del Pui d’Olivesa (25 min.) and then (20 min.) we arrive at the church of Sant Julià de Lòria. In total 2 hours 30 minutes.

Summary of Section 12

De Mas d’Alins a les Bordes del Gastó	35 min.
De les Bordes del Gastó a Fontaneda	25 min.
De Fontaneda a Coll de Jou	45 min.
De Coll de Jou a Sant Mateu del Pui	25 min.
Del Pui a l’església de Sant Julià de Lòria	20 min.
Total	2 h. 30 min.

Note.- The markings on Andorran soil are not blue and yellow, but a yellow round. From Fontaneda the yellow circles alternate with white and yellow lines.

Camping areas and water points

– At Mas d’Alins you can request permission to camp (A2)
– Before reaching Les Bordes del Gastó there is a fire on the ground and a place to camp in the forest (A2)
– You will be able to find other places to camp on the way down to Sant Julià (A2). For example at Coll de Jou, where there is also a well-equipped fire pit.

Water points
At Mas d’Alins (F3)
In Fontaneda (F3)