With a spectacular surrounding landscape of rugged mountains, deep valleys and glistening lakes, La Massana, in Andorra, offers a smorgasbord of dramatic vistas – along with the superb skiing for which most people come.
The wide, generous pistes and laidback, cosy ambience of this popular ski region sit within an embrace of stunning natural beauty that’s within easy reach if you care to explore beyond the tips of your skis.
From the Highest Mountain…
La Massana parish is home to the highest mountain peak in Andorra – the imposing Coma Pedrosa. Soaring 1500 metres above the valley floor, the mountain is a magnet in both summer and winter to amateur and professional mountaineers looking to pit themselves against its picturesque slopes.
In winter (and leading up to it) the mountain is blanketed with snow and ice, requiring the use of specialised equipment, like cross country skis, snowshoes and cramp-ons. If you want to stretch your skills and try something really adventurous, ice climbing is popular here, as are off piste skiing and ‘scrambling’.
In summer, the snow melts and the steep slopes gradually reveal a cache of stunning flora and silvery glacial scars. If you’re a hiker or climber of intermediate level you can follow the well trodden regular routes that don’t require any technical equipment or knowledge, while if you’re an expert, high altitudes and the promise of jaw dropping views across the mighty Pyrenees can entice you to greater heights.
…to the Magic of the Natural Park
The solemn peak of the Coma Pedrosa casts an impressive shadow over the stunning natural park that encircles and protects it. The Coma Pedrosa Natural Park is a wild and exceptionally beautiful region, which contains the most extensive concentration of flora and fauna in Andorra. The incredible statistics – encompassing only 4% of the country’s area, it is nonetheless home to 77% of the total species of fauna and 48% of flora – mean that it’s a hot bed of activity in every season.
The park is strictly controlled by authorities to preserve the plants, animals and traditional ambience of the area. There are a number of excellent easy trails suitable for even the most novice hiker to get up close and personal with the incredible range of endemic and endangered species. Some trails are virtually flat, meandering through the valley floor at an easy pace, but if you’re a confident hiker, there are plenty of opportunities to show off your skills heading up the lower slopes of the mountain and beyond.
While La Massana is predominantly renowned for its fabulous ski slopes and friendly resort atmosphere, getting yourself out and about in nature will introduce you to a very different side to this part of Andorra.
How to Get to La Massana
La Massana is situated in the northwest of Andorra. The country has no airport of its own, but is well serviced by several in France and Spain. For UK travellers, the most popular is Reus, in Spain, which takes just over two hours from London. Reus airport transfers to La Massana take around 3.5 hours, and it’s quick and easy to pre-book this convenient mode of transport with Shuttle Direct. Our experienced drivers know the mountainous terrain and will get you there safely while you sit back and enjoy the scenery.
If you want to drive yourself from the airport, Reus has offices for all the major car rental companies. If you’re travelling in winter you’ll need to ensure you advise your company you’re travelling to Andorra to ensure the inclusion of snow chains. To get to La Massana, take the C14 out of Reus and then the N145 through Andorra.
If you want to go on a full road trip from the UK, getting to Andorra is easy and extremely picturesque along the way! Pre-book your trip on the Eurotunnel ahead of time and set aside two days for travel. Depending on the route you choose, you could stop in beautiful Chartres for the night, or perhaps Toulouse. There’s plenty of gorgeous scenery along the way, including the charming town of Mirepoix.
Where to Stay:
Hotel Font – Offering simple, clean, and comfortable accommodation, the Hotel Font occupies a prime position right next to the cable car. Rooms have private bathrooms and the hotel also has an onsite bar and breakfast room.
Hotel Marco Polo – With easy access to the cable car (within 500m) and great value, comfortable rooms, Hotel Marco Polo is set within delightful surrounds. If you’re into playing pool or getting competitive at the soccer table, you will like the hotel’s extensive games room!
Hotel Magic, La Massana – With superb access to ski, shopping and dining facilities, the Hotel Magic, La Massana offers everything you could want for a luxurious stay in the mountains. Located just 50m from the ski lift, the hotel’s warm and cosy rooms are beautifully furnished. There is an onsite gym and spa for guests’ use, including an indulgent Turkish bath and hot tub to iron out those skiing
