Andorra for Backpackers: A Must-Stop Between Spain and France
A Perfect Destination for Backpackers Andorra
If you’re a backpacker traveling around Europe, chances are you’ve already visited big cities like Barcelona, Toulouse, Marseille, or Madrid. But what if we suggest a different kind of stop on your route? Andorra is the perfect destination for backpackers andorra seeking peace, nature, and fresh air away from the urban noise.
Why Backpackers Choose Andorra
Andorra may be a small country, but it’s packed with reasons to visit if you’re an independent traveler:
A new country to check off your list
Pure nature: mountains, forests, lakes, and hiking trails
Cool temperatures in summer (no more unbearable southern heat!)
Relaxed atmosphere with no crowds
Visa-free access for European citizens
Budget-friendly for low-cost travelers
The ideal stop to recharge your batteries and continue your journey with new energy.
How to Get to Andorra as a Backpacker
Andorra doesn’t have a train station or airport, but getting here is very easy:
From Toulouse: The most direct option is Andbus, with a daily connection that stops directly in El Tarter, where our hostel is located.
From Barcelona: You can travel with Andbus, ALSA, or Direct Bus. Andbus also stops in El Tarter. The other two companies drop you off in Andorra la Vella, from where you can take a local bus (L3 or L4) to El Tarter.
Mountain Hostel Tarter: The Ideal Place for Backpackers Andorra
Our hostel was built by travelers for travelers. We know exactly what you need when stopping in the mountains:
International backpacker vibe
Heated outdoor pool with views and hot tub area
Sa Terrasseta: a terrace serving tasty homemade food at great prices
Fully equipped kitchen so you can cook and save money
Self-service laundry for just €6
Fast WiFi, hot showers, and comfy beds
Hiking tips and advice: we know Andorra’s mountains inside out and can guide you
Private or shared rooms – your choice
Many backpackers andorra choose us every summer for the comfort, laid-back atmosphere, and unbeatable location right next to the trails.
What to Do in Andorra: Ideas for Backpackers
If you’re staying a few days, here are some ideas you’ll love:
Hiking for all levels, from easy walks to tougher trails
Climb peaks over 2,500 meters
Swim in high mountain lakes
Chill out by the pool at the hostel
Enjoy sunrise coffee on the terrace
Write, read, meditate… just pause
All surrounded by nature, with no rush and no noise.
Continue Your Route from Andorra
After your break, continue your adventure to southern France (Carcassonne, Montpellier), return to Spain, or explore new European cities. But we’re sure Andorra will be one of those memorable stops along the way.
Ready to Discover It?
Book your stay now at www.mountainhosteltarter.com and join the backpackers andorra who have already discovered this hidden gem in the Pyrenees.
10 reasons to book Mountain Hostel Tarter this summer.
Travelling this summer without crowds seems like mission impossible. People everywhere, hot and crowded cities, overcrowded beaches with no place to put your towel, hotels fully-booked, restaurants with no availability, exorbitant prices…
Our proposal: avoid mass tourism.
Our solution: come to Mountain Hostel Tarter.
Mountain Hostel Tarter is one of those few places in this globalised world where tourists do not arrive en masse. Where you can relax, rest, disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy nature, the intense green, the pure air and the fresh mountain air during the summer.
Here are 10 reasons to book Mountain Hostel Tarter this summer:
1 We are in a small mountain village
We are in El Tarter, in Andorra, the country of the Pyrenees, in a small and quiet mountain village. Easily accessible by car or bus.
2 Few people and quiet atmosphere
Our hostel is small and family-friendly, and in summer there is room for everyone. You can choose the room you want. Also, the pace of the hostel in summer is very leisurely and we enjoyed the open-air hostel as much as possible.
3 You will enjoy our swimming pool, one of the most exclusive in Andorra.
You can enjoy our outdoor swimming pool, one of the most exclusive pools in Andorra, with panoramic mountain views. Open from 12h to 21h every day and only for you, for our guests. In addition, the pool terrace with sun loungers, table and chairs and umbrellas is an ideal place to take a nap, read, and let yourself go while listening to the birds sing.
4 “Sa Terrasseta” our beach bar in the middle of the mountains.
“Sa Terrasseta”, our open-air beach bar in the middle of the mountain will transport you to a real beach bar. Honouring our Balearic origins, we have been inspired by the beach bars of the islands to create “Sa Terrasseta”. Here you have all your meals covered, drinks and cocktails, also to take them to the pool,… come on, a real holiday!
5 Mountain walks and hikes
If you want a bit more action, you can sign up for our mountain bike tours. From the hostel. Easy. You will breathe fresh air and enjoy incredible mountain scenery. Maximum disconnection. Here are some hiking trails.
6 Mountain bike rides
If you want a bit more action, you can sign up for our mountain bike tours. To go further, to enjoy the bike, the landscapes, the forests and the trails and to have spectacular views over the Pyrenees from the top of the mountain. However, we strongly recommend renting an electric mountain bike. Here, in our trusted local shop near the hostel.
7 Road bike? Yes, of course!
Andorra is a paradise for road cycling lovers. So if you are one of them, from the hostel you have access to the iconic mountain passes of Andorra, on safe roads and with incredible views. And we have all the services for cyclists, free of charge, in the hostel: bike storage, basic tools, pressure washing, etc. and all free of charge.
8 Pure adrenaline, in the middle of the mountain
We offer you a thousand mountain activities to get your adrenaline pumping: via ferrata, canyoning, zip-lines, slides, etc. We put you in contact with the best mountain guides in Andorra to enjoy our mountains with more adrenaline and in total safety.
9 We are locals
We know our mountains like the back of our hand and we help you to organise your days with us. We will share with you our favourite places in Andorra and the experiences we are passionate about. Discover a bit of our DNA, we are sure we agree on many things.
10 A cool summer? Unbelievable but true
Although we live on an increasingly warmer planet, here, at an altitude of 1,700 metres, the summer is very mild. It is fresh and green. Although the sunny days are hot, we hardly get above 25ºC and the nights are cool, even for a little warmth. An absolutely privileged temperature.
If you’re wondering: Where to go this summer that isn’t overcrowded? You already have the answer: Mountain Hostel Tarter.
The best hiking routes in Andorra, from Mountain Hostel Tarter, the cutting-edge mountain refuge in Andorra
Hiking in Andorra: wild and spectacular mountain landscapes in Andorra.
In summer, Andorra is a paradise for hiking and trekking.
Being a small country, covering 468 km2, Andorra, the country of the Pyrenees, offers a great variety of hiking routes for all tastes, from family outings with children, medium-mountain hikes for enthusiasts and mountain lovers with no difficulty, to routes for the most demanding trailrunning training.
Moreover, Andorra has 3 natural parks: Sorteny Natural Park, Comapedrosa Natural Park, and Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley Natural Park, the latter being UNESCO World Heritage.
In short, Andorra is the paradise for hiking, trekking, and trailrunning. This is evidenced by the annual success of the legendary Andorra Ultratrail mountain race and the numerous mountain races held each year in Andorra, some even within the global mountain racing calendar.
At Mountain Hostel Tarter, we want to bring you the best of Andorra for us: discovering Andorra from the mountains, and enjoying extraordinary landscapes that you won’t be able to erase from your memory after your time in the mountains of Andorra.
Hiking routes near Mountain Hostel Tarter, the perfect base camp for your trekking routes in Andorra.
Mountain Hostel Tarter is the perfect mountain refuge in Andorra, in El Tarter, in the heart of the Principality of Andorra, where you can have the base camp, from which to start or finish the best hiking routes in Andorra.
Summer terrace, with barbecue at Mountain Hostel Tarter
For hikers following the GR, from Spain to France or vice versa and undertaking multi-day treks, Mountain Hostel Tarter is the perfect refuge in Andorra for a night (or more! If you want to rest) from which to connect with the Refuge de Ruhle in France.
Mountain Hostel Tarter is located right halfway between 2 spectacular valleys in Andorra: the Valley of Incles, which connects with France and Grau Roig, and the Valley of Ransol which connects with other valleys like La Vall del Riu, Montaup, and Sorteny.
To the east of Mountain Hostel Tarter, we have the splendid Valley of Incles, where just a 10-minute walk begins amazing hiking routes leading to the lakes of Juclar, Pic d’Escobes, the lake and Pico de Siscaró, Pic de la Cabaneta, the lakes of Fontargent, and the lake of Cabana Sorda… among others.
To the west of Mountain Hostel Tarter, lies the Valley of Ransol from where you can ascend the legendary Pic de la Serrera and Pic del Estanyó and even reach the Vall del Riu or the Valley of Sorteny.
Mountain Hostel Tarter: the cutting-edge mountain refuge in Andorra
Dormitories for 4 people at Mountain Hostel Tarter
Mountain Hostel Tarter is a cutting-edge mountain hostel, located in a borda over 200 years old, a mountain house with typical Andorran and Pyrenean architecture. A fully renovated house, in the style of a mountain refuge, but with all the amenities for a warm and comfortable stay after a tough day in the mountains. A mountain refuge in Andorra perfect for a good hot shower, eating to your liking, resting, and sleeping well after spending the day in the Andorran mountains. Although you can’t leave without trying our swim spa, our outdoor pool with jacuzzi and hot water. It’s the recovery you deserve after a day in the mountains. Here you can see the hostel, our rooms, and services.
From Mountain Hostel Tarter, we recommend our favorite routes. Hiking routes in Andorraby difficulty and time, near Mountain Hostel Tarter or with a start or end at Mountain Hostel Tarter.
Easy hiking routes in Andorra, Valley of Incles and Gall de Bosc Path:
Ideal for going out with children or for those who like to go running or take a walk, without excesses. We recommend 2 paths. The first is the Valley of Incles, with a trail that includes explanatory panels about the flora, fauna, and biodiversity in the Valley of Incles, as well as explanations about typical mountain constructions.
The second is the Gall de Bosc Path that goes from Soldeu to Canillo. A very entertaining path, with a wooden bridge and interesting views of the mountains ofthe Valley of Canillo. With a bit of luck, you might see the Gall de Bosc, an endangered protected species that very few have the privilege of seeing.
The Valley of Incles is just a 10-minute walk from Mountain Hostel Tarter, and the Gall de Bosc Path starts in Tarter, 5 minutes on foot from Mountain Hostel Tarter.
Vall d’Incles, 10 minutes from Mountain Hostel Tarter
Moderate Hiking Routes in Andorra, for a half-day or a relaxing day in the mountains:
As a medium-level route, from Mountain Hostel Tarter we recommend:
The Five Lakes Route in the Valley of Incles (Andorra): a circular route, starting from Mountain Hostel Tarter towards Entor, you follow the trail that takes you to the Querol Lake, Ibones de las Salamandres, Cabana Sorda Lake, Anrodat Lake, and Isla Lake. For those who want more, (!!!much more!!!) this route can continue to the Fontargent Lakes (France) and return to the Valley of Incles by passing through the Port de l’Alba and the Juclar Lakes and continue the descent to the Valley of Incles to return to Mountain Hostel Tarter.
For the more daring and those not afraid of heights, we suggest the Pic d’Escobes, a very airy peak near the Juclar Lakes, which can be accessed by climbing directly via the Juclar path from the Valley of Incles.
For more aerial views, we recommend starting from the Port d’Envalira towards the Pic Maià and traversing the ridges to the Pas de les Vaques. After that, descend towards the Sicaró Lake and the Valley of Incles, a route of little difficulty but with magnificent views from the ridges of the Andorran mountains.
Long Hiking Routes in Andorra, Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley
Our favorite long-distance hiking route in Andorra is the one that traverses the Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley, a Natural Park that was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Starting from Sant Julià de Lòria, Andorra la Vella, or Escaldes-Engordany, this route reaches the Pessons Glacial Cirque in Grau Roig.
There are no words to describe the majesty of the various landscapes on this route, from high mountains, valley floors, rivers, lakes, and even a glacial cirque. A journey often accompanied by marmots or horses and cows grazing in the meadows.
A perfect route for trailrunners.
Consult us for availability to drop you off at the starting point or pick you up at the finishing point, or to go get your car at the starting point.
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Peaks of Andorra: Serrera, Estanyó, and Comapedrosa
Andorra has 65 peaks over 2,500 m in altitude. Incredible, right?
The highest mountain is the Pic de Comapedrosa which, with an altitude of 2,942 m, is a must for summit collectors.
But our favorite peaks in Andorra, accessible from Mountain Hostel Tarter, are the Pic de la Serrera at 2,912 m and the Pic de l’Estanyó at 2,915 m.
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GR of Andorra: Long-Distance Trails
Up to 5 long-distance trails (GR) traverse the mountains of Andorra.
GR-11: the great Pyrenees route that crosses the Pyrenees from the southern side between the Cantabrian and the Mediterranean. Mountain Hostel Tarter is located at the base of this trail in its 8A to 11A section connecting La Coma de Ransol with the Valley of Incles.
GR-7: the long-distance hiking trail that crosses the Pyrenees from east to south.
GRP: the tour around a country. The GRP of Andorra is a circular hiking route around Andorra with a length of about 120 km, passing through the Valley of Incles, just a few meters from Mountain Hostel Tarter, the ideal place to shower, cook comfortably, rest, and recover for the next stages.
Cross-border GR 1: The 3 Nations Route, is a circular itinerary of almost 24 hours of walking that starts and ends in El Serrat (Ordino) and passes through Andorra, Spain, and France.
Cross-border GR 2: The Lakes Tour is a circular route of almost 14 hours of walking, which develops through Andorra and France itineraries, passing through the Port d’Incles, an ideal moment to descend to the Valley of Incles and spend the night at Mountain Hostel Tarter.
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For stays of 7 nights or more, a 10% discount is applied until November 30.
Transport: If you stay at Mountain Hostel Tarter, consult our availability to assist you to the start of the trail or to pick you up at the end.
Mountain Guide Booking: If you are interested in having a mountain guide in Andorra for yourself or your group, send your inquiry to info@mountainhosteltarter.com. Otherwise, we can also advise you on hiking routes in Andorra, their duration and difficulty, as well as provide you with a map of Andorra’s trails (extra cost).
Alpify: The safety app that allows, in case of emergency, the user to send their exact location to rescue teams. Download Alpify here.
Andorra Trails Guide:official guide from the Government of the Principality of Andorra, where most of the hiking trails in Andorra are listed and analyzed in convenient sheets to carry in your backpack. Download the Andorra Trails Guide here.
Mountain Guide:detailed official guide from the Government of Andorra with all activities in Andorra’s natural environment. Download the Andorra Mountain Guide.
Hiking in Andorra from Mountain Hostel Tarter[/caption>
Hiking in Andorra from Mountain Hostel Tarter[/caption>
Hiking in Andorra from Mountain Hostel Tarter[/caption>