Coma Pedrosa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Coma Pedrosa |
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Coma Pedrosa in October 2006
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,943 m (9,656 ft) |
| Prominence | 434 m (1,424 ft) |
Coma Pedrosa (2,943 m or 9,656 ft) is the highest mountain in the principality of Andorra. It is popular with mountain climbers, its ascent being technically straightforward, although strenuous. Several mountain lakes and tarns are found on the slopes, notably Estanys de Baiau, which lies on the western slopes, across the Spanish border.
The nearest town is Arinsal, La Massana. Historically, the mountain provided ample security from invasions into Andorra.
Contents
Geography
Coma Pedrosa, shaped like a pyramid, is situated at the northwestern border with France and Spain. It has in the past acted as a barrier between Andorra and France. The mountainous terrain of Andorra, a landlocked country, contains 65 peaks that rise to an elevation of greater than 2,000 m (6,562 ft), and of the 65 peaks, Coma Pedrosa has the highest one at 2,943 m (9,656 ft).
Its recent exposure to tourism has attracted millions to enjoy the unique scenic beauty of its hills and valleys. The higher reaches of the mountain are covered with forests while the lower reaches have some arable lands. The mountain gets fully covered with snow during the winter months which provides opportunities for skiing and mountaineering, ice climbing and scrambling. During the summer season, the mountain provides many easy routes for trekking through the Arinsal valley covering neighbouring areas of Vall Ferrera in Spain after crossing Baiau, the mountain pass.
Tourism
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The trek or the mountain climb starts from Arinsal, which is considered an easy route, from the picnic area at the base of the Ribal Warefall at 1,580 metres (5,180 ft). It takes about 4 to 41⁄2 hours to reach the highest point of Pic de Coma Pedrosa. The first part of the climb, taking just under half an hour. The ascent continues along a steep hill slope of the Coma Pedrosa River valley and arrives at the Coma Pedrosa camping site at an elevation 2,272 metres (7,454 ft), which is located near the (Trout Lake).
A further hour's walk leads to the (Black Lake), named on account of its colour. The last stretch is for about one hour from Estany Negre to the highest peak in Andorra at 2,943 metres (9,656 ft) elevation, and this trek, passing through rocky terrain, is difficult. The return trek follows the same route. A diversion through Malhiverns pass instead of Estany Negre is more enjoyable.
In the Arinsal valley below the Coma Pedrosa, winter season offers skiing and snowboarding. The first ski lifts were installed in Arinsal in 1973. At an altitude of 2,260 metres (7,410 ft) lies Refugi de Coma Pedrosa, a mountain hut. It was inaugurated in 1992.
Vegetation
The forest vegetation in the mountain and its valleys are of pines, birch and firs. There are many glacier lakes formed within the valley created by the mountains and also vast meadows. Consequent to the popularity of skiing in and around this mountain valley near Arinsal and close to the Andorra la Vella and other valleys in Andorra, the pristine ambiance of the valley has been inundated with tourist resorts, hotels, restaurants and business establishments catering to tourists. This has created an awareness to preserve virgin mountains and forests, and put restrictions on further proliferation of ski resorts and urban activities by introducing a national network of parks as preserves.
See also
In Spanish: Comapedrosa para niños
