Pessons and Montmalus circuit from Grau Roig

A demanding but very rewarding high level circuit taking in the picturesque Pessons lakes and 2 potential summits – Pessons and Montmalus with a tricky gully descend between them.
The ascent and distance are reduced to 10km and 730m if the taxi is taken from Grau Roig to the Restaurant del Llac dels Pessons. The description and data start at this point.

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The grade of this walk is VS/B/Scr/X, which means
VS – Very Strenuous: More than 800 metres ascent and/or more than 20km in length with steep, loose or heavily vegetated sections.
B – Less than half the route on rough ground.
Scr – Scrambling: This implies the need for handholds to ascend steep rock pitches with a sense of exposure to vertigo and where a slip could lead to a serious accident.
X – Experienced walkers route: the route requires considerable stamina and/or significant scrambling skills on rough, steep or exposed sections.

Nearest town	Soldeu
Directions to start	Follow the CG2 through Andorra N towards France and after Soldeu turn SE. DO NOT take the route through the Envalira tunnel instead taking the L turn at the roundabout in front of this. Follow this a short distance and then turn R into the vast car park for the ski area. At the fork keep R and descend to the parking area at Grau Roig. Now take the mountain taxi if you can – runs up to mid Sep each year during the summer months. (€4 ea. way in 2020)
Start point (Lat/Long)	42.531016, 1.697128 Click here to view in Google Maps (in a new browser tab)
Length (km)	12.00
Ascent (metres)	930
Walking time (hours)	4
Total time (hours)	6
Recommendations or Restrictions	There is a short but challenging gully descent on grass and eroded scree between the 2 summits. Care is needed but it is worth the effort for the scenery all around.