What to do and see in Arinsal, La Massana Parish: The Best Things to do

Reviewed By T-SGlobetrotters - Preston, United Kingdom

We had hoped to drive directly to the car park closest to the southern most Tristaina lake, Estany Primer to complete a walk around all three lakes only to find a barrier shutting off the road immediately after the Ordino-Arcalis ski station and before the multi hairpin bends. There was someone on duty here allowing some vehicles through presumably those with accomodation further up the road but no one else was allowed to pass. We were merely advised the road was ‘closed’ but we strongly suspect this was no more than a ploy to force anyone wanting to visit the lakes for the day to pay €13 to take the cable car from the ski station to a base station 30 minutes walk from Estany Primer. Certainly our views of the road from the cable car did not indicate any problems and there were vehicles parked at the ski lift base station. The €13 price is for the return trip and also includes a second return chair lift ride up to a higher seperate point with magnificent views of the valley on the other side of the headland from the lakes. This is virtually on the France-Andorra border. The price is inclusive, you can't just buy the cable car ride for the lakes walk. On balance we were grateful the managers of the park made this decision because it enhanced our enjoyment of the day and is something we would not ordinarily have done. The combined cable car and chair lift journey takes around 30 minutes and it actually good value for the length of journey. Views are spectacular. In terms of the walk itself, the path to the first lake on leaving the cable car is on a well marked path. It is a steady climb on a fairly uneven gravel path with a little scrambling over rocks towards the end of the first part of the walk, so we would recommend walking shoes with some toe protection. Also because the walking is at altitude the route is a little tiring and frequent stops are needed. Beyond this we made our way to the second lake Estany del Min before going on to the third lake Estany del MesAmunt. We just walked along the valley floor although there is an optional higher route giving panoramic views of the lakes. We were quite happy with our walk, there are lovely views across all three lakes, plenty of wild flowers, babbling steams linking the lakes and even in the height of summer a bright white ice block maybe 100m across which you can walk on if you scramble over some rocks. The walk from the first to third lake and back takes around 2 hours. After getting back to the first lake you merely retrace your steps down to the base station for the cable car journey back. It is a much easier walk going down. Last cable car back to the ski station is 5.30pm. Overall this was a most enjoyable day. Despite being the height of summer, numbers of people walking were small and often it felt like we had the entire area to ourselves.