In 2004, the Madriu-Perafita-Claror valley (which occupies 10% of the Andorran territory) was declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO in the category of cultural landscape (a category that includes only 89 natural spaces in the whole world).
Covering 4 parishes
The Madriu-Perafita-Claror valley owes its “U” shape to its glacial origin, a feature of valleys emerging from ice.
It extends over 4 of the 7 parishes of the country: Andorra la Vella, Escaldes-Engordany, Encamp and Sant Julià de Lòria. An area of over 4,200ha located in the South-east of Andorra, which will undoubtedly surprise you with its landscapes.
Huts, barns and livestock
Its paved road is one of the most characteristic and eminent values of this cultural landscape. You will see how livestock is still maintained in the Valley and has become a key element in its conservation. In addition to this traditional activity, you will see huts and barns scattered throughout the valley, as well as animal and plant species that are quite rare or in danger of extinction.
GR7 and GR11
Both the GR7 long distance trail – the first one that was signposted in Spain and which goes from Andorra to the Strait of Gibraltar – and the GR11 – which crosses the Pyrenees in about 800 kilometres, from the Cantabrian Sea (Cabo de Higuer) to the Mediterranean Sea (Cabo de Creus) – cross the Madriu Valley in certain sections.