"Cycling To Andorra" Andorra Travelogue by travelinxs

Andorra Travel Guide: 679 reviews and 987 photos

My first true mountain was Mount Louis, which made the Corsican mountains look feeble in comparison. From early one day into the evening I struggled up the pass. At times I would glance over me to see the road spiralling like an astral helter-skelter toward the skies and I would hiss through grated teeth, "I'll never make it”. But the challenge was set and I could not bring myself to dismount and push.

View from beside the road

Near the summit was the small walled town of Mount Louis, the highest in France. Above that was the summit itself where I decided to camp. Around dusk heavy black clouds enveloped the peak and I witnessed the most spectacular electrical storm of my life. All about me lightning would dart and flash, each strike only a second apart and the thunder banged simultaneously with such ferocity the tiny portacabin I sheltered in rocked and vibrated as if being shaken.

After a sleepless night sheltering in the toilet, I sought out my tent, which now looked like an exploded waterbed.

From Mount Louis I shot down the other side of the mountain, past the ski lifts silently awaiting the imminent snows. Another mountain range took me higher again and into the tiny country of Andorra; one of the smallest in the world.

Soon I crossed the boarder, at the summit of Port D’Envalira at 2,407m (7897ft.) I wrapped myself up against the freezing winds and after taking in the views of the mountains that rose up about me, I let the brakes go and took off at a thrilling speed down the mountain.

Despite the twelve degrees gradient allowing me to maintain the highest speed I dared to go, it took forty five minutes to finally come to rest at the far end of Andorra Town, and only a few kilometres from Spain. I had freewheeled almost across the whole country!

Wrapped against the elements

After another night spent being sick in the toilets as the now nightly electrical storms made a mockery of my tent, I left Andorra and spent two days traversing the mountains to the attractive town of Aix Les Thermes. Here I decided enough was enough. At least for now.

Ax Les Thermes

It was practical and cheap to entrust my bike to the French railways for the homeward journey, and for me to travel on alone.

Laden down with panniers and gear, I took one bus, five trains, one ferry and five lifts hitchhiking to see me home to Devon.

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Page Updated Dec 31, 2007
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Comments (6)

sourbugger Dec 6, 2008 at 11:57 AM Report Abuse

blimey, i remember those gradients up to andorra in the car = yet alone the a bike. great stuff.
CliffClaven May 5, 2004 at 4:22 AM Report Abuse

I bet Lance Armstrong doesn't take the train home!!!
herzog63 Jun 24, 2003 at 10:29 AM Report Abuse

Fantastic story Chris!! I've slept in some terrible spots but I think you've got me beat!! Love your stories!!
Bwana_Brown Jun 6, 2003 at 4:42 PM Report Abuse

Excellent stuff! A really great account of the return part of your adventure! Now I don't feel so bad about biking a few miles each way to work!
Fla May 8, 2003 at 7:33 AM Report Abuse

Great pix!!! I have been there too. Regards from Spain.
nighthawk May 1, 2003 at 3:39 AM Report Abuse

another good write up! brrrr electrical storms. .. one day i hope to cycle lots with my kids...that is .. if they ever will