Three natural parks
The Principality of Andorra has three parks of remarkable beauty. The Coma Pedrosa Valleys Natural Park (Parc Natural Comunal de les Valls del Comapedrosa) is located in the northwestern part of the country, in the parish of Massana, spreading its 1,542 hectares between the ski resorts of Arinsal and Arcalís. The richness of the site lies in its endemic ecosystem, its very important aquatic resources and its agro-pastoral heritage. It is here that the 2,942 meters of Coma Pedrosa rise (more information atwww.comapedrosa.ad and www.lamassana.ad).
In the northeast of the Ordino Valley, the 1,080 hectares of mountains of the Sorteny Valley Natural Park (Parc Natural de Sorteny) form the natural border between Andorra and France. The Sorteny valley has an extremely rich vegetation - 700 plant species, of which more than 50 are endemic to the Pyrenees - spread over 3 levels: montane, subalpine and alpine (more information at www.sorteny.ad and www.ordino.ad).
Finally, the Madriu-Perafita-Claror valley (Valea Madriu-Perafita-Claror), declared a "universal cultural landscape" by UNESCO in 2004, is a vast natural area stretching over several parishes. Since then, the Andorran institutions have committed themselves to deploying the necessary measures to protect this area of 4,247 hectares (approximately 10% of Andorran territory). Again, the vegetation is three-tiered, starting with Scots pine and meadows at an altitude of 1,000 to 1,700 meters, followed by silver fir (up to 2,000 meters), and then pastures and rocky plants at an altitude of more than 2,200 meters (more information at www.madriu-perafita-claror.ad).
Despite the protection of these areas, the environmental problems that Andorra faces are of various kinds. Deforestation, overgrazing contributing to soil erosion, air pollution due to intense road traffic, wastewater treatment and solid waste disposal are among the most problematic. Nevertheless, the issues of environmental preservation and diversity are taken very seriously by the principality, which now relies on the green movement as a major part of its tourist attraction. It has therefore resolutely turned towards sustainable development.
Fauna, flora and fishing in Andorra
When walking in these protected areas, your chances of encountering a brown bear are extremely slim (if it happens, keep your distance and report it). The deer, wild goats and wolves that once populated these mountainous regions have completely disappeared nowadays. The probability that you will find the famous marmot or the mouflon, introduced by man a few decades ago, is much greater! In terms of population, Pyrenean lizards, isards and river trout are the most common species in Andorra. Among the lower altitude mammals are the wild cat, fox, ermine, marten, and hare, while in the woods there are mainly roosters, squirrels and wild boars. Finally, white partridges and birds of prey such as eagles, vultures, bearded vultures and great horned owls remain the guests of the highland areas.
As far as wild flora is concerned, while walking in the mountains, you can discover the different varieties of Pyrenean and Andorran flowers and plants. They are distributed according to the altitude levels which have a direct impact on the climatic and physical properties. Scots pine, birch, fir, white oak, ash, poplar and hazelnut are the most common trees in Andorra. At the foot of the viewpoints, you will notice that between 1,000 and 1,700 meters above sea level (montane level), the deciduous trees mix with conifers, especially the red pine, and then give way to black pines, but also junipers, arnicas and gentians. Gradually, the alpine grassland takes over and is discovered at the alpine level. Among the plant species, although some are common to the whole principality, some take advantage of the microclimates to develop and exhibit their particularities, such as the grandalla, or poets' narcissus (Narcissus poeticus). It is the flower symbol of the principality: its six white petals represent the parishes of Andorra (before it had seven) and the two yellow pistils, the coprinces. There are also a dozen varieties of violets, the common columbine, which can be seen on the path to Canòlich, the villosa roses in the same place, and the pendulina and glauca varieties in Aixovall and Sant Julià de Lòria. There are also many medicinal plants in Andorra. As far as fruit is concerned, raspberries, blueberries and wild strawberries are a regular feature on hiking trails, as are mushrooms, with the clavaria, the lactaria, the mousseron and the cep being well represented.
The Andorran territory being highly aquatic, the practice of fishing is ancient and well supervised: it is only authorized to fish here for salmonids of at least 20 cm long! Out of the sixty-two lakes in the principality, forty-five are stocked each year: nearly 4 tons of salmonids are released each year! An " acotat " license and a fishing permit are required to fish in the principality, as well as respecting the fishing season, which begins in mid-April with the opening of the Engolasters and Os tourist routes, followed by the opening of the rivers, lakes and ponds between May and June. The general closing is usually around mid-November. The Department of Natural Heritage of Andorra publishes a map of fishing areas with regulations, available in tourist offices, as well as the acotat, a license allowing you to fish during your stay in Andorra. Friends fishermen, to prepare your stay, you can also consult the website of the Andorran Federation of hunting and fishing: www.facip.com
