Information
Landmark: Coll d'OrdinoCity: Ordino
Country: Andorra
Continent: Europe
Coll d'Ordino, Ordino, Andorra, Europe
Overview
Coll d’Ordino winds through the mountains of Andorra’s Ordino parish, offering sweeping views of green slopes and rocky peaks.Perched about 1,980 meters-6,496 feet-above sea level, it’s among the most striking and easy-to-reach passes in Andorra’s rugged mountains.The pass links the Ordino and Canillo Valleys, two of Andorra’s loveliest regions, and draws hikers, cyclists, and sightseers eager to take in the crisp mountain air and sweeping Pyrenean views.Coll d’Ordino sits along the CG-3, the main road linking Ordino to El Serrat, and you can reach it from Andorra la Vella via the CG-2 in just a short, winding drive.The pass serves as a vital route for travelers and as a haven for hikers eager to breathe the crisp mountain air and take in Andorra’s rugged beauty.The Coll d'Ordino stays open all year, but heavy snow or avalanches in winter can shut it down without warning, so check the road report before you set off into the cold.From the pass, you can see jagged peaks like Pic de l'Àliga, Pic de Comapedrosa, and Pic de la Serrera rising against the sky, the kind of view that makes you stop and just breathe it in.Snow often crowns the jagged Pyrenean peaks, turning them into a breathtaking backdrop for anyone making the journey across the pass.In spring and summer, the hills burst into green, forests thick with leaves and meadows dotted by bright wildflowers, and by autumn, the valley glows with deep golds and reds as the trees trade their foliage for fire.From Coll d’Ordino, you can see the Ordino Valley, Vall d’Incles, and the Canillo Valley stretching out below, their slopes thick with green and framed by jagged, shadowed peaks.Nature lovers will feel right at home here, surrounded by quiet forests of pine, fir, and smooth-barked beech.The Coll d’Ordino draws hikers and nature lovers alike, with winding trails that smell faintly of pine after rain.Hiking trails wind through the area, leading you to some of Andorra’s most breathtaking places-still lakes that mirror the sky, rugged mountain peaks, and wildflower-covered alpine meadows.Visitors can lace up their boots and hit one of several trails beginning near the pass, winding into the mountains and opening onto sweeping views of the valleys below.A favorite path winds toward the Vall d’Incles, a lush valley where wildflowers sway among deep green meadows.One popular trek winds through Comapedrosa Natural Park and climbs all the way to Pic de Comapedrosa, Andorra’s highest peak, where the air feels crisp and thin.Cycling the Coll d’Ordino tests your legs with steep climbs, but the sweeping mountain views at the top make every turn worth it.The road’s sharp climbs paired with sweeping mountain views draw cyclists who crave both beauty and a serious challenge.Cycling events sometimes tackle the pass, including big races like the Vuelta a España, where riders grind their way through the wind-swept Pyrenees.In winter, the slopes and trails near Coll d'Ordino draw snowshoers, cross-country skiers, and snowboarders, their tracks crisp against the fresh powder.The nearby Ordino-Arcalís Ski Resort offers great runs for anyone who loves winter sports, and the Coll d'Ordino pass makes an easy starting point to get there.Wildlife Watching: Around the pass, you might spot mountain goats clinging to rocky ledges, marmots sunning on warm stones, and eagles or vultures circling high in the blue sky.People often head out to watch birds or spot wildlife, especially at dawn or as the sun dips low, when the air is cool and creatures stir.Beyond its breathtaking mountain views, Coll d’Ordino sits close to some remarkable spots: the Ordino Valley, where stone villages nestle among green hills and old churches; the peaceful Vall d’Incles, with trails leading to the clear, blue Lakes of Tristaina; and the nearby Ordino-Arcalís Ski Resort, a winter playground for skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing.The area’s famous for its off-piste runs and quiet slopes, far less crowded than other Andorran resorts, and just down the road you’ll find the Iron Museum in Ordino, where the scent of old metal lingers as you explore the region’s ironworking past-part of the Ruta del Ferro.Beyond its wild scenery, Coll d’Ordino holds deep cultural and historical importance.The region holds a wealth of history, from Romanesque churches with weathered stone walls to sturdy old houses and bridges that still echo Andorra’s rural and industrial past.Set against the rugged hills, these historic sites stand in sharp contrast, giving visitors a vivid glimpse of the country’s cultural heritage-like carved stone steps worn smooth by centuries of footsteps.If you’re passing through Andorra, don’t miss Coll d’Ordino-it’s a must-stop for sweeping mountain views, crisp alpine air, and a chance to dive into the country’s wild landscapes and rich cultural history.Set in an easy-to-reach spot with mountain views that catch the light, it offers plenty to do, from hiking in the warm months to skiing when the snow falls-making it a must‑see for anyone visiting Andorra.You can hike forest trails, cycle along winding mountain roads, watch eagles wheel overhead, or wander through centuries-old stone villages-Coll d'Ordino packs all of this into one of the Pyrenees’ most stunning landscapes.
