Coma Pedrosa
2,942 m
Andorra
Also known as Кома Педроса, Pic de Comapedrosa, +4Also known as
Кома Педроса · Pic de Comapedrosa · Comapedrosa · Κόμα Πεδρόσα · pic de Coma Pedrosa · Кома-Педроса
- Elevation
- 2,942 m
- Prominence
- 434 m
- Difficulty
- 3/10
- Mountain hike
- Best Season
- Jul–Sep
- Routes
- 1
AdvisoryReported 1 Jun 2026 · until 12 Oct 2026
Refugi de Comapedrosa staffed season 2026: 1 June to 12 October; outside these dates by reservation only.
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Routes
1Sources differ: F (rutespirineus.cat) · Difícil (Visit Andorra) (visitandorra.com)
A long, non-technical mountain walk to the highest point of Andorra: up the GR 11 from the road end above Arinsal (1,575 m) through the Comapedrosa valley to the staffed refuge (2,260 m) and the Estany Negre, then yellow-marked paths up the rocky south-west ridge to the summit (2,942 m). About 1,370 m of ascent; 6–7 hours round trip.
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 7.2 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,413 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 2,942 m
- Time Up
- 5h 41m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 3h 50m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
Start at Prats Sobirans, at the end of the road above Arinsal (1,575 m, limited parking; turn right just after the tunnel above the ski station). The GR 11 (red and white marks) climbs on a track and then a path beside the torrent, passing a cattle grid, to the Collet de Comapedrosa (2,206 m) in about 1¼ hours. The Refugi de Comapedrosa (2,260 m) and the Estany de les Truites lie just above; many people sleep here and climb the summit next morning. Continue west across the flat floor of the cirque, then climb north up steeper ground towards the Estany Negre (about 2,630 m). Just below the lake, at about 2,607 m, leave the GR 11 for yellow paint marks that lead to a small col at the foot of the south-west ridge (2,696 m). The ridge is followed partly on the crest, with a few easy steps where hands are needed, and partly on its east flank, to the summit in about an hour. Allow 3½–4 hours from Arinsal. Descend the same way, or follow the yellow-marked path west to rejoin the GR 11 just before the Portella de Baiau (2,758 m) and return past the Estany Negre and the refuge (about 2½ hours). The direct scree path south of the summit is roped off to limit erosion; do not use it. The ridge is long and exposed to storms: turn back early if the weather changes.
Start
Prats Sobirans1,566 m
- National bus from Andorra la Vella via La Massana to Arinsal, then walk up the road beyond the village to Prats Sobirans. Check the current timetable.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prats Sobirans → Pic de Comapedrosa | 7.2 | 1,413 | 33 | 5h 41m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Prats Sobirans1,566 m
Road end above Arinsal; limited parking
- Col: Collet de Comapedrosa2,222 m
- Hut: Refugi de Comapedrosa2,265 m
- Summit: Pic de Comapedrosa2,942 m
Key Passages
- Collet de Comapedrosa
- Steep climb from the cirque to the Estany Negre
- South-west ridge with easy hands-on steps
Equipment
0/6 packedDownloads
Route confidence 80%Overview
Andorra's highest mountain (2,942 m), a rocky pyramid on the country's north-western border with Spain above Arinsal. A long but non-technical walk on the GR 11 past a staffed refuge and high lakes, finishing on an easy, marked ridge.
Coma Pedrosa rises at the head of the Comapedrosa valley in the parish of La Massana, close to where Andorra meets Spain's Vall Ferrera; the Baiau lakes lie just west of it on the Spanish side. It is the highest of Andorra's 65 summits above 2,000 m, and the whole upper valley is protected as the Parc Natural Comunal de les Valls del Comapedrosa, created in 2006, with forests of pine and birch giving way to glacial lakes and granite scree.
The usual ascent from Arinsal is technically easy but long and steep: about 1,370 m of ascent over 7 km each way, on the GR 11 to the staffed Refugi de Comapedrosa and the Estany Negre, then yellow-marked paths up a rocky ridge where hands are occasionally needed. There is no glacier and no permanent snow. In good summer weather it is a popular day out, and many walkers combine it with the neighbouring Pic de Baiau or break the trip with a night at the refuge.
Summer thunderstorms are common; snow lies on the upper slopes into June and returns in October. In winter it is a ski-mountaineering objective with real avalanche danger in the valley.
Climbing Notes
Fitness is the main requirement: a fit walker needs 3½–4 hours up and 2½ hours down, and many take longer. The ridge has loose, slippery rock and a few easy hands-on steps, so good boots and sure-footedness matter, but no rope or glacier skills are needed in summer. Altitude is rarely a problem.
Start early to be off the ridge before afternoon thunderstorms. A night at the Refugi de Comapedrosa (staffed 1 June to 12 October, book ahead) allows an early summit and a quieter mountain. Keep to the marked paths: the old scree path south of the summit is closed to limit erosion. Outside summer, expect snow on the upper slopes; in winter and spring the ascent is a ski-mountaineering route with avalanche danger in the valley.
History
The first ski ascent was made on 24 December 1933 by Lluís Estasen, Ernest Mullor and Joan Roig. The Refugi de Comapedrosa opened in 1992, and the Comapedrosa valleys became a communal natural park in 2006. The avalanche barriers at Prats Sobirans, the trailhead, were built after a major avalanche on 8 February 1996. Since 2021 the Andorran government has invested more than EUR 1.1 million in renovating the refuge, with the aim of extending its season into winter.
Season
Best Jul–Sep- January: Not advisable
- February: Not advisable
- March: Not advisable
- April: Not advisable
- May: Possible
- June: Good
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Best (best window)
- October: Good
- November: Not advisable
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Winter; ski mountaineering only, avalanche danger
- Feb
- Winter; ski mountaineering only
- Mar
- Ski mountaineering; avalanche danger
- Apr
- Spring snow; ski mountaineering
- May
- Late May possible; snow on the upper slopes
- Jun
- Refuge staffed from 1 June; snow patches near the summit early in the month
- Jul
- Main season; afternoon thunderstorms
- Aug
- Main season; busy at weekends
- Sep
- Stable weather, fewer people
- Oct
- Refuge staffed until 12 October; first snow possible
- Nov
- Winter conditions
- Dec
- Winter conditions
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- Refugi de Comapedrosa: book via refugicomapedrosa.ad, info@refugicomapedrosa.com or +376 327 955; staffed 1 June – 12 October, by reservation outside those dates. An unstaffed section with bunks and a fireplace is available out of season.
- Fees
- Refuge overnight and meals at the Refugi de Comapedrosa
- Rules
- Parc Natural Comunal de les Valls del Comapedrosa: stay on marked paths; the scree path south of the summit is closed to limit erosion
- Limited parking at Prats Sobirans
- Andorra is outside the EU and Schengen; carry a passport or ID card at the border
- Getting There
Arinsal (La Massana parish)
Andorra–La Seu d'Urgell (LEU); Barcelona (BCN) and Toulouse (TLS) for international flights
- By car: from Andorra la Vella to La Massana, then the CG-5 to Arinsal; continue past the village and through the tunnel, then turn right to Prats Sobirans
- Bus: national bus service from Andorra la Vella via La Massana to Arinsal
- Coaches link Andorra la Vella with Barcelona, Barcelona airport and Toulouse
Hazards
- Weather
- Avalanche
Huts & Shelters
1- 2,260 m
Refugi de ComapedrosaRefugeStaffed
50 beds · Staffed 1 June – 12 October; by reservation outside these dates; unstaffed section open all year