Anyone who has ever been on a holiday in Andorra will know that the principality boasts some of the most beautiful geographic features in the world, and that includes the Andorra lakes. While the ski slopes of Andorra might be more famous, the mountainous nature of this country has also created several beautiful lakes.
In this blog post, we’ll go through and discuss five of the best lakes in Andorra worth visiting, as well as explaining all you need to know about Andorra swimming lakes and where you can swim in Andorra during the summer months. So, let’s start discussing those beautiful Andorra lakes!
How many lakes are there in Andorra?
Despite its small size of just 468 square kilometres, Andorra is home to more than 80 lakes, known as “estanys” in the local language of Catalan. It should be kept in mind that the lakes in Andorra vary in size, depth and accessibility, but there should be at least one lake worth visiting close to wherever you have your Andorra accommodation.
The lakes in Andorra
Here, we’ll break down the top five lakes in Andorra that you should take note of if you’re keen to go exploring during your trip.
Engolasters Lake
Pick up an Andorra travel guidebook and every one will mention Engolasters Lake – also called Llac d'Engolasters – at some point, as this is one of the most popular Andorra lakes to visit. It isn’t the largest in the country, with its surface area of seven hectares, but Engolasters Lake is popular with tourists because it is close to the capital of Andorra la Vella and it is located at a lower altitude. Engolasters Lake isn’t one of the Andorra swimming lakes either, but it’s worth following the route to the edge of this body of water because of how beautiful the views are.
Nou Lake
The Nou Lake – or the Estany de la Nou – is one of the more difficult Andorra lakes to get to. It’s not only that it’s located in a more remote part of the country in Escaldes-Engordany, but the hiking route to reach this lake is quite demanding and only recommended for experienced hikers. If you do decide to set out towards Nou Lake, it could end up being worth the effort since it is situated by the impressive Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley, which is a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site. Furthermore, the Nou Lake has warmer waters than most of the Andorra swimming lakes, because it feeds from groundwater that runs beneath the area.
Juclà Lake
The Juclà Lake – known locally as the Estanys del Juclà – is one of the most famous lakes in Andorra precisely because it is the largest in size of all of the Andorra lakes. So, if you’re looking for the very biggest lakes in Andorra then this is one to add to the itinerary. Although it isn’t possible to swim here, the Juclà Lake is among the most beautiful because of its striking blue colour and the rugged peaks surrounding it.
Pessons Lakes
The Pessons Lakes – called the Estanys de Pessons – are more than just one lake. This is a series of lakes in Encamp that are close together, with up to six lakes located around one circular walking route. Considering how picturesque these lakes are, this is a popular option for those looking to snap some pretty pictures.
Tristaina Lakes
Another group of lakes that are worth checking out are the Tristaina Lakes in Andorra – or the Estanys de Tristaina – in the parish of Ordino. These lakes are connected by another hiking route and the trail is one of the more manageable in the country, making a visit to the Tristaina Lakes very popular among families. Specifically, there are three lakes, the Estany Primer, Estany del Mig and Estany de Més Amunt. These translate into English as the First Lake, the Middle Lake and the Above Lake, referring to their geographical positions.
What is the biggest lake in Andorra?
As mentioned above, the very biggest lake in Andorra is Juclà Lake, measuring in at 21 hectares. However, Juclà Lake is not the most accessible lake in the principality. That’s because it is located in the Incles valley and access there is restricted in the summer months, but there is a moderate hiking route for those who are eager to see all of the biggest lakes in Andorra during their stay in the country.
Can you swim in Andorra?
It is possible to swim in some of the lakes in Andorra, but not in all of them. With some of the Andorra lakes, swimming is strictly prohibited, usually if it’s dangerous or if that particular lake is used for water storage. Don’t worry, though, as the rules regarding the Andorra swimming lakes are marked out very clearly and there are usually many signs in the vicinity of the lakes where you’re not allowed to swim.
Even at the swimming lakes Andorra does permit you to bathe in, keep in mind that these lakes can be very cold, even during the summer. That’s because of their glacial origins and also due to the high altitude of the country as a whole. As such, if you want to go swimming in Andorra then you might want to consider an indoor pool, such as Caldea Spa Andorra, which is the largest thermal spa in Southern Europe.