Andorra is the perfect destination for winter lovers and especially for skiing enthusiasts. If you’re looking for a unique and affordable experience, staying in a hostel in Andorra might be the best option. Hostels and lodges offer an authentic way to experience the destination, connecting with other travelers and providing competitive prices while maintaining exceptional quality.
Reasons to choose a hostel in Andorra
Hostels in Andorra have evolved significantly in recent years, offering modern, cozy facilities at accessible prices. Staying in a hostel allows you to meet people from all over the world, share travel experiences, and enjoy a social and relaxed atmosphere. For those looking to maximize their budget, this is an excellent way to experience Andorra authentically, without sacrificing comfort.
Additionally, many hostels in Andorra, like the Mountain Hostel Tarter, are strategically located close to the Grandvalira ski slopes, allowing you to enjoy a full mountain experience and save on transportation.
The advantage of staying near the ski slopes
Being just a few minutes away from the slopes is one of the greatest benefits of choosing a hostel in Andorra, like the Mountain Hostel Tarter. With such close accommodation to Grandvalira, you’ll enjoy more time on the snow and less time in transfers. In just a few minutes, you can be fully geared up and among the first to carve down the freshly groomed slopes.
Moreover, at the end of the day, El Tarter offers several entertainment options to continue your day, with great restaurants, good music, and, of course, the heated pool at the Mountain Hostel Tarter.
Andorra: a winter destination beyond skiing
While skiing and snowboarding are the main activities, Andorra has much more to offer. From hiking trails in snowy landscapes to wellness options at mountain spas, such as the Caldea thermal center, this small country has something for everyone. And if you prefer a more relaxed pace, the center of Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany are ideal for a day of tax-free shopping.
In a hostel in Andorra, you’ll not only discover typical activities but also have access to local recommendations and authentic experiences that help you make the most of every corner of the destination. The unique atmosphere of a hostel encourages the exchange of ideas and experiences, allowing you to discover options you might not have considered.
Mountain Hostel Tarter: your best hostel option in Andorra
At Mountain Hostel Tarter, we offer not only a privileged location, but also facilities designed for you to enjoy an unforgettable winter in Andorra. With cozy spaces, stunning views, and a heated pool, our hostel in Andorra is the ideal place for those seeking an authentic and affordable mountain experience.
Book your stay with us and discover why a hostel in Andorra is one of the best choices for a snow vacation.
Andorra is a country surrounded by mountains, known for its nature and tranquility, making it a highly desired tourist destination. The country of the Pyrenees is famous for its stunning landscapes, green valleys, lakes, and diverse range of outdoor activities, whether in the winter or summer season. Among its authentic mountain villages, you will find several rural houses in Andorra where you can spend your vacation. They allow you to enjoy a unique environment while living for a few days in an authentic mountain house.
Benefits of staying in a rural house in Andorra
Staying in a rural house in Andorra is like diving into the history of the country. Also known as “bordas” in Andorra, these houses are an essential part of the country’s culture. These traditional mountain constructions were originally agricultural shelters, built mainly from stone and wood, with slate roofs and a robust design to withstand the country’s harsh weather conditions. Over time, these buildings have evolved and become iconic elements of Andorra’s landscape, transforming into rural accommodations, restaurants, or secondary residences.
One of the main advantages of staying in a rural house in Andorra is the closeness to nature. Surrounded by mountains and fresh air, you can enjoy activities like hiking, cycling, or simply relaxing while taking in the scenery. The peace and quiet these accommodations offer are unmatched, providing a perfect environment for those looking to disconnect and recharge.
Additionally, many rural houses in Andorra are designed to host groups, whether of friends or families, with spacious rooms and shared areas that allow for unique moments together without sacrificing comfort. They often offer services that enhance the experience, such as fully equipped kitchens, outdoor spaces with gardens or terraces, and, in some cases, exclusive services like spas or hot tubs.
Mountain Hostel Tarter: a rural house in Andorra with charm and comfort
Among the most notable options for those seeking a mountain house in Andorra is Mountain Hostel Tarter, located in Canillo. This accommodation combines the rustic charm of a mountain house with modern amenities to offer you a memorable stay. One of the most special features of Mountain Hostel Tarter is its outdoor heated hot tub, perfect for relaxing after an intense day with unbeatable views, as well as its prime location, just minutes away from the Grandvalira ski resort, the largest ski area in the Pyrenees.
Services and experiences in rural houses in Andorra
Rural houses in Andorra are often well-equipped to ensure you enjoy a complete and comfortable stay. Common areas, such as lounges with fireplaces, play zones, or relaxation spaces, allow you to disconnect while sharing special moments with others.
At Mountain Hostel Tarter, in addition to its exterior hot tub, you can enjoy a cozy and familiar atmosphere. It is an ideal place for those looking to share a group getaway, as the hostel is prepared to host families and groups of friends. Just steps from the hostel, you will also find various entertainment options and restaurants, completing the experience of staying in a rural house in Andorra with all the services at your fingertips.
The first snowfalls of the season promise a special Christmas in Andorra, allowing you to enjoy snowy mountain landscapes, outdoor activities, and a varied agenda of leisure and cultural events. The Mountain Hostel Tarter is the perfect starting point to make the most of everything Andorra has to offer this year-end.
Whether you’re a beginner skier, prefer exploring snowy trails, or crave the adrenaline of freeriding, Andorra is your destination this Christmas. Take note of the proposals we offer to experience Christmas in the mountains.
1. Winter hiking in Vall d’Incles
Vall d’Incles, located just a few minutes from Mountain Hostel Tarter, is a favorite destination for winter hiking lovers. This valley, known for its natural beauty, transforms during the colder months into a snowy paradise, ideal for snowshoeing trails.
Among the most notable options is the path to the Cabana Sorda Refuge or the Siscaró Refuge, two moderately difficult routes that offer panoramic views of the snowy mountains, with elevation gains not exceeding 500 meters. Another option is the trail to Lake Juclà, the largest lake in Andorra, located at 2,300 meters, which in winter turns into a spectacle of ice and snow. All these routes are perfect for enjoying the silence and disconnection that the Pyrenees offer.
2. Skiing in Grandvalira
Grandvalira is the largest ski resort in the Pyrenees, with more than 210 kilometers of slopes, making it a perfect option for your Christmas holidays in Andorra. It features seven interconnected sectors and offers options for all levels, from beginners to experts seeking steeper alpine descents.
If you’re staying at the Mountain Hostel Tarter, accessing the slopes of Grandvalira is very easy, as the El Tarter sector is just a 10-minute walk away. And right at the departure point of the El Tarter gondola lift, you’ll find Andorra’s most iconic après-ski spot, l’Abarset. With a unique lineup of concerts and parties, you’ll want to extend your day at Grandvalira.
3. Freeride in Grandvalira
If you’re looking for thrills and want to explore the mountain in a freer way, freeriding in Grandvalira is an experience you can’t miss, especially after days of snowfall. This destination is recognized as one of the best for freeriding in the Pyrenees, thanks to its varied terrain and virgin snow areas.
Zones like Encampadana and Pic Blanc are ideal for the most adventurous skiers, offering more technical descents and breathtaking landscapes. Additionally, safety is a priority in Grandvalira, with marked freeride areas and experienced guides available for those who want to discover the best lines. Freeriding at Christmas is the perfect way to connect with the mountain in its purest state.
4. Andorra la Vella Christmas village
For a more recreational activity that you can’t miss this season, visit the Christmas Village located in the main square of Andorra la Vella. This authentic market combines artisan stalls, local products, and Christmas decorations. Don’t miss the musical performances, street shows along the main avenues, and the magical lighting that creates an enchanting atmosphere. From November 29 to January 5, 2025.
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.
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Hiking in Andorra from Mountain Hostel Tarter[/caption>
Hiking in Andorra from Mountain Hostel Tarter[/caption>