Road-book Mític. 112 km m D m D- Organització

Transcription

1 Road-book Mític 112 km m D m D- Organització

2 0 km m Ordino Starting from the centre of town along with by enchanting music and fireworks. We are surrounded by a crowd admiring our courage. It is the beginning of an unforgettable tour in the heart of Andorra. We follow the road for 900m to reach Sornàs, before taking a wide path, with some ascents and getting narrower. We cross the town of Ansalonga and get to La Cortinada. 3,5 km m 5 km m La Cortinada Llorts We take the time to appreciate the old houses and cobbled alleys. We get back to the path, which now follows the iron route, an old itinerary taken by the miners who delivered the ore to the forges located below. We skirt the village of Arans. The frontal allows us to admire the sculptures lining the road (we enjoy this ghostly beauty before getting into the, soon to come, serious matters). We leave the road through a narrow bridge on the left and start the first climb of the race crossing the village of Llorts. At the edge of the village, we turn left onto a paved road, the climbing gets hard until reaching a few typical houses; we then start a descent for nearly two kilometres before taking a steep climb to Coll de les Cases. 10 km m Coll de les Cases Little flattening before taking a tough way up again with a 100m vertical gain. We reach a second port and take a path to go down again to the traditional houses of Prats Nous. 12 km m Bordes dels Prats Nous The road becomes hilly and we follow a contour line before reaching a small descent. We leave the GRP, get onto a large level area that will take us to the Joan Canut refuge Pla de l Estany.

3 15 km m 17 km m 21 km m Refugi Joan Canut Pla de l'estany Pic del Comapedrosa Refreshment point Smooth climb on a grassy path, the slope becomes steeper progressively before entering the pure mineral. We are facing an 880m climb for 3kms. Some big rocks, so be careful and watch your step. We arrive to a pass (collada del forat dels Malhiverns). After 10 more minutes of a very technical climb we finally reach the summit of Andorra: the Comapedrosa peak at 2,942 m. We take the time to soak in the panorama. We tackle the descent cautiously over the rocks to get back to the previous small pass and start a long descent on a rocky path, skirting two lakes (the Estany Negre and the Estany Negre ponds). We keep being careful as we may be walking on snow. The slope gets steeper, we cross a small stream to reach a level area. After a short climb we get to the Comapedrosa shelter. Refugi del Comapedrosa Refreshment point Upon leaving the shelter, take the GRP and walk along a rather flat way for about 1km. Then, take a very steep climb up a stony path. We soon reach the crest of Portella de Sanfons. 23 km m Portella de Sanfons Path with a gentle downward slope before rounding the Pic Negre and crossing the "Coll Petit" pass; fast rise of 120m vertical to arrive on a ridge which we follow until the Port de Cabús. 27 km m Port de Cabús 3 km down through meadows to get to Setúria and go up the ski slopes to Coll de la Botella

4 31 km m Coll de la Botella Refreshment point. We follow the GRP, the path becomes narrow, flattens and enters the forest. On our left hand side, we can see the peaks we will be trekking in a few hours. We cross the Pal slopes and enter the woods again before reaching the magnificent Montaner pass: we now walk on the Spanish border. 35 km m 37 km m Collada de Montaner Bony de la Pica Tough way up in the woods at first, in the rhododendrons then and finally on grass. We make it to the ridge and skirt it. If we are watchful, we may be able to spot some chamois and envy their agile manoeuvers on dizzying slopes. The views will again take our breath away, however, we keep on watching our step! We have reached the Bony de la Pica. Tricky and very technical descent into a lane. We need to be cautious and take advantage of this stretch to recover before reaching the small pass of Les Comes. 38 km m 41 km m Les Comes Sharp descent through a narrow path in the woods: mind the roots! The woodland trail eventually meets a grassy path that takes us to the hamlet of Aixàs (it is private property, so we need to make sure we do not disturb anyone). We can greet the friendly family that lives there if we meet them. Today they get to see more visitors than during the whole remaining year. Aixàs After 50 m of asphalted road, we descend along fields down to a small lake before starting the climb to Coll Jovell.

5 42 km m Coll Jovell Enjoy the stunning view over the valley of Andorra la Vella and Escaldes before plunging into the valley where we soon reach the forest. The narrow path downhill gets steeper and the forest thicker. Cross a small stream to arrive at a spring said to be aphrodisiac (if proven truth, please notify the organization team). We approach the first houses and, after 100 meters of asphalt, we arrive at the Margineda schools. 44 km m 45 km 948 m La Margineda Pont de la Margineda Refreshment point and runners bags. We take the time to get changed and to feed ourselves peacefully. The public greets us. Upon leaving, we climb on a stoned path before reaching the main road. We must be careful as the traffic may be dense. We arrive at the magnificent Romanesque Margineda bridge. We are at the lowest point of the trail, we cross the bridge and, after 800m of a flat path (which allows us to digest the supplies), we face a very steep path in the woods (cami de Costa Seda). We then reach a small pass and we leave the Ronda trail on our right, after walking 200m, we reach the barns of Cortals de Manyat. 48 km m 52 km m Cortals de Manyat Refugi de Prat Primer We ve already done half of the race s total positive gain elevation. We go up through a quiet narrow path, cross some fields which used to be farmed, before going back into the forest for a hundred meters. After that, the vegetation gets scarce and the pendent becomes even harder. We reach a mountain path, where we can run again while we follow a track that smoothly goes through a forest and ends at the Prat Primer refuge. We leave the refuge and immediately find a steep slope again. The path goes from grassy to rocky until reaching the Bou Mort pass. 53 km m Coll del Bou Mort We start a quick descent through a narrow rocky track, and then enter a grassy area; we cross a river and arrive at the Claror refuge.

6 54 km m 57 km m Refugi de Claror Refugi de Perafita Refreshment point. Quick descent followed by a level area, we cross a river and start a new climb on a rocky path that brings us to a magnificent lake (the most beautiful lake in Andorra according to many locals): the Estany de la Nou. Again, a gentle descent and another level area, as well as a stream before reaching the Perafita shelter. We have now covered half of the journey. We get back onto a rather tough climb through the wood, which eventually gets gentler, allowing us to stretch our legs on a nice lawn. We arrive at a pass: the Collada de la Maiana. 59 km m 61 km m 66 Km m 68 km m Collada de la Maiana Estall Serrer Refugi de l Illa Collada dels Pessons In front of us, the Madriu valley (named after the river at the bottom of the valley,) recognized as a world heritage site by the UNESCO. The descent starts on the lawn before entering a forest, the slope gets quite steep and brings us to the bottom of the valley. Wonderful site which we cannot help admiring. We leave the GRP for about 100m to cross the Madriu. We run along the river on an easy path in the woods, we leave the forest gradually and go around a few small lakes. Do not forget to open your eyes and take the time to look back, oblivious of the timer, to let the magnificent view soak in. The Illa refuge is just below the lake carrying the same name. Refreshment point. We go along the Illa lake going smoothly up before getting onto a tough climb on a rocky path. When we finally get close to the ridge, the path gets flat to reach the Collada dels Pessons. Take a big breath and admire the 360º point of view. North: a range of lakes, Andorra and, to the very end, France; South: more lakes, Andorra and, further, Spain; West: Spain, and East: Andorra. Time to get back to the hike! We get on a big descent on a rocky path before reaching the Pessons level area, a lake follows another, the path is technical, watch your ankles. We round the last lake until reaching a restaurant located in the area.

7 72 km m Pessons We go through a wide and delightful descending path which brings us to our second accommodation area. 73 km m 75 km m Grau Roig Port d Envalira Refreshment point Accommodation area: Accompanying persons access by bus. We covered more than two-thirds of the course, which means that we are almost there (only 39 km). Let's eat well, let's stretch our muscles a bit and we're off again. We cross the bottom of the station and we go left on a track, after 400 m we leave it to advance in the grassy slope and reach a dirt track that leads us to the Port d Envalira where we cross the road with caution. At first we follow the wide track that we leave periodically to progress on the grassy slopes and reach the peak Maia. 77 km m 80 km m Pic Maia Pas de les vaques We follow a wide undulating track before entering a narrow ridge trail, be careful to follow the signs by tilting on the other side of the ridge and reach the Pas de les Vaques. Steep slope that gets softer until becoming flat just to go around the Siscaró lake. We then start on a difficult descent to reach a wide and flat area where the refuge lays at the back. 82 km m Refugi de Siscaró We leave the GRP. Steep downhill through a narrow path and along a river, the flora is at its best, amazing as a colourful firework, let your mind go, forget the time and begin an inward journey. We leave the forest to get on a wide rocky path. We reach the back of the Inclès valley floor where we can meet our friends or our family.

8 84 km m Vall d Inclès Refreshment point. We directly get on a fairly strenuous rise which soon levels up though. The path along the river is very pleasant and we reach a tiny grassy path, cross the river and get back on the GRP which brings us to the Cabana Sorda refuge and lake. 87 km m 89 km m Refugi de Cabana Sorda Cresta de Cabana Sorda Let's take a short break, as well as a breath. We may also eat and drink something, but above all, admire this scenic cirque and its awesome lake. We are now ready to tackle the last but not least arduous climb of the journey. The first stretch runs over a stony path (we can look back to marvel at the lake we just left behind), the path goes over a lawn. To reach the crest we need to take a tough and steep climb. However, we will be rewarded with a magnificent scenery, which we take time to enjoy. Easy descent on a rocky path. We get to the Coms de Jan refuge. 92 km m Refugi de Coms de Jan Refreshment point. Let us hit the last climb of the journey. At first, the ascent is not very tough but it gets sharper over the last 400m. Look back from time to time for the magnificent lakes below. We reach a shed which sits below the pass. Once at the Collada dels Meners we will have covered the total gain elevation. 95 km m Collada dels Meners We forget the timer, open our eyes as well as our pores and forget the small wounds. We are lucky to be able to enjoy all this, we feel like the kings of the world. We roll, rather than walk, down. The walk is easy, the peaks surrounding us protect us. A stream bellow, the horses and cows in the field, a shepherd's hut, a pass to cross, a torrent and the slope gets gentler then as we approach the last refuge of our journey: the Sorteny shelter.

9 100 km m Refugi de Sorteny Refreshment point. We continue downhill on a wide path, which we soon leave to get on a narrow path that grows steeper and enters the woods along a torrent. This brings us to the village of El Serrat. We go all the way through it. 104 km m 109 km m 112 km m El Serrat La Cortinada Ordino We pass the river, the path is quite narrow before reaching a dirt track. We cross the road to notice the little bridge of Llorts, which we leave on our right and we're back on the path where the race started, in the opposite direction of course. The wide, flat path goes on, with sculptures decorating the iron route. We will skirt the village of Arans to get back to the road and enter the village of La Cortinada. Proceed along some alleys and join the path again by the riverside. We are now in the village of Ansalonga followed by Sornàs. Continue along the road for the last 900m of our journey. We can hear the music and the cheering crowd who will welcome us in Ordino. Our rejoice is immense and makes us forget the pain, this is it! We are finishers, We are the kings of the world. CONGRATS! Caution: intersection of different AUTV routes

10 Race Profile The purpose of this road book is purely informative. The organization team reserves the right to make small changes to the route described hereby.