What is it like camping in Andorra? And given the hazy Covid-19 country-border restrictions, are we even able to cross the border? So, yes! We’ve finally left Spain after 4 years, 4 months and 4 family camping road trips!
Onward, northward these self-styled gypsies move, from the land of the sun to the land of sunless winters. . . ok, OK! It’s not that bad. It’s only Wielkopolska (Greater) Poland where there are long stretches of overcast days from November to March. Yay!
“Benvingut!” That’s “Welcome!” here. We know from our first family camping camping road trip that Andorra–the largest of the six microstates in Europe–is a mountainous country with fickle mountain weather.
So the big question is. . . (drum rolls). . . Will we survive camping in Andorra? Will it be too cold? Will it be too wet?
After all we are a take-it-easy-like-Sunday-morning, family campers. No running wild with Bear Grylls here! NOPE!
And at 1,850 meters altitude of our campinground, Camping Font de Ferrosins (I think the name loosely translates to the Fountain of Iron), it may be too cold for us, especially the dad in this family.
We’d noticed from our first time here that there’s a tendency to rain and rain a lot, especially in the late afternoons. Being wet and camping in the cold, like the Camping in France’s Extinct Volcanoes area, are not a good mix at all.
But before all that, we had to clear three hurdles going into Andorra and then a few more after:
1st potential problem? Since countries have different regualtions for entering their borders during the Coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic, will we be able to get into Andorra at all? If not, we’ll have to turn back and take the long road to Barcelona to cross directly into France. Or go to a test center (on our back-up list) and take it from there.
We have not taken the test and only none of us were vaccinated againts the Covid virus. Our last border crossing into Andorra (before Covid), a border guard simply looked at our plate number and waved us through.
Our research from reputable EU organizations and even the government of Andorra websites gave conflicting views. On one hand, it says visitors coming from Spain, France and Portugal do not need to submit test results. On the other hand, visitors older than 6 years old staying for more than 3 nights must provide negative PCR/TMA test results no older than 72 hours to tourist accomodations where they’ll be staying. Well, that’s not gonna work for us!
So, with a back-up plan-in-place, a car full of camping gear and vinos de Jerez, we told the boys to honor thy penguins of Madagascar movie and “smile and wave, boys!” Smile and wave, everyone!
And, oh! Don’t forget to turn off your phone’s WIFI, unless you wanna rack up minutes/costs. From our last time here, it did suck up our GB fast!
And. . . it worked! We crossed the border without even stopping. No one was even visible on the border crossimg. No need to show test results at all.
Suckcess!
2nd potential hurdell: Will we need to show negative test result at the campsite. Technically, Yes. Yet, apparently, NOT for stays less than 3 nights in Andorra. So, we may be able to hop from one camp to another if needed. Unless they took a picture of your plates at the border and compare while it on the way. Hmmmm. We’ll see.
We’ll take that as a suckcess!
3rd potential complication: Will it be too cold for camping in Andorra? Afterall, we are camped 1,850 meters high. It was windy upon arrival. This we did not expect. Wet the next day… our flytarp helped. Andorran weather report was quite accurate: “It will rain!” And it did.
We’re afraid that it would get too cold for us. Wet and cold! “THINK ABOUT YOUR CHILDREN!!!,” I could here them scratching at the door, yelling at me now!
And another SUCKCESS! It was cold overnight at 9 degrees or lower, but manageable.
Our 15-euro flytarp took the brunt of the persistent overnight rain and kept the new, up-until-now-untested-in-the-rain, Ayamaya tent dry. It also helped that we had lots of blankets.
Around 9 in the morning, we could see steam rising from the riverside camping a couple of hundred meters below us.
You could see steam evaporating from our tent once the sun showed up from behind the monitain.
What we like about this campground?
Camping Font de Ferrosins is all about camping in the wild heart of nature surrounded by spectacular mountain views. And that’s what we love about this camping site?
CALM CAMPING with a VIEW of the mountain peaks on one side and the village in the valley on the other.
A perfect place for a quiet walk, alone or together, with no particular destination.
“What time is it,?”she asks “I don’t know,” I said. “What day is it anyway?” We don’t know.
It’s interesting how Andorrans seem to easily switch from one language to the next. And they talk in “clear” Spanish… and in whispers. Is this typical of mountain peoples who speak in quiet tones in case they wake the lurking woodland monsters?
Friendly proprietors and receptionists. There’s a nice common space (bar/reception) where you can cook and meet locals and other campers. For something local, try the Armagnac. It’s like Cognac. The young barman first lived in a tent at the camp. Shakespeare reads a lot. The other blonde receptionist was quite helpful, charming and perky. She gave our younger son Kaj a free chupachup. Karol gave her a winkie.
Our “happy hour” at a place and time in our lives where every hour is happy was interrupted when a security guy who stopped by the bar for coffee and conversation left… and quickly returned asking for help. His car got stuck on mud parked on a steep incline. It’s community helping time with an elderly French couple, the owner, the barman, a German and a little man named Six. Push, push. . . push!…. (it took a while, some of us were drunk). . . and Ole!!!! Off he goes!
What To Do at Wild Camping Font de Ferrosins, Andorra
What can you do in the heart of nature, some 1,850 meters above sea level, surrounded by beuatiful mountain landscape with wild flora and fauna everywhere?
Hike. Walk, Trek. Run. Sit. Stare. Snooze. Meditate. Do nothing.
The best part is, you can do any or all of that at your own pace. I suppose that IS the point of this place–Be in nature, your own way.
This is the closest to wild nature camping that we’ve been at! The views are breathtaking and we didn’t need to climb 1,800-something meters because we’re already on it. All we needed to do was open the tent and look out!
Riverplay and nature trails
No playground here. There’s no need for it. Just pure play in nature, the stream that runs alonside the main campinground below and the numerous trails nearby.
It’s comfortable just staying at the camp and enjoy the peace and quiet.
If you go for a walk, you’d likely come across little churches (eglise) that litter this area.
There are various designated trails that you can get on about 2 kilometers from this “base” camp. One of those trails are easy and kid/family-friendly.
You don’t have to trek on the designated trails to get some panoramic views. You can just climb the hill nearest to the camp.
The camping site gives campers FREE rides to and from the valley aboard solarpowered electric train. Otherwise, it’s 3 euros a piece. That’s a BIG SAVINGS! You can also take this e-train near enough to the entrance of the designated hiking trails.
A 20-minute hike to Font Travence actually took us longer. What can I say? Short legs?! Lots of flowers and wild garden. Other treks for future, 1 hour and 15 minutes at least.
Mountain water flows fresh and free here. Now I understand why Kazakhs and Uzbeks complain to highlander Kyrgyz and Tajiks that water should be free, not taxed. The boys had a great time jumping on the stones of the mountin stream.
If that’s not enough for a week at least, then what else?
There’s not much in town (Vall d’Incleas, Canillo). You’ll have to visit the capital Andorra la Vella (26 kilometers away). Check out our family-friendly things to do in Andorra in a day.
Also, the border with France is a mere 15 minutes from here via the paid tunnel. Make sure to AVOID that TUNNEL. Instead, take the long criss-crossing scenic route (CG-2) for a lasting impression of your drive through the Pyrennees.
Where to eat near Camping Font de Ferrosins?
Down the valley: There’s a workers’ watering hole with good people, called La Cabanata. Good chat over 2 beers and 2 ice cream (€10.50 total, not bad for a rich country). Good food for the proletariat.
All the other three restaurants here were closed. Where else can you get food? BP gas station to the rescue! They have sandwhiches and alcohol at reasonable normal prices.
Note: This is NOT a PAID advertisement from ANY of the establishments that we mention here. We just think to say thanks in our small way to cool people and places.
After a family GAP YEAR. . . that turned into over four years, living in Jerez de la Frontera, it’s finally time for our semi-nomadic family to move again, from one camping site to the next. . . all the way to Poland. For how long? We don’t exactly know.
REVIEW of Camping Font de Ferrosins, Andorra
A little NOTE before we go on with the review. In case you’re wondering. . . NO, we have not received (nor expect to receive) any form of compensation or freebies or anything at all for reviewing or mentioning this or any others on our blog. We do because it may be helpful to you and others. And it’s fun too!
What we don’t like about this camping site?
What not to like? No soap. Bathroom conditions are quite basic. No separation for washing dishes. DO NOT WASH YOUR HANDS HERE, BITTESHCHON, BITTESH*T!
PRICE
The cheapest by far during this trip. And remember, we are in one of the richest countries in Europe!
€25 euros per night (tax included) for a family of four (two kids–1 under 6 years old) in a 4-person tent with electricity in the summer high season.
It’s at least €10 euros cheaper than the most camp sites during this trip, and €11 euros cheaper than the last 2 campgrounds.
Price Breakdown per night: NOT AVAILABLE
- €X.00 for a 4-person tent
- €X.00 car
- €X.00 for electricity
- €X.00 per adult
- €X.00 for children under 12 years old.
PITCH
How’s the pitch? Big and undesignated plots/places (without specific borders) to pitch your tent and park your car alongside it.
Three (3) levels: 1 by the river, 1 just below the reception nearest bathroom for RSVPs , and 1 for those who just show up with NO prior reservations. They call this the “overflow” which I think is the best in terms of views. This is where we were and there were only 2 of us in this area.
No shade here.
Soft pitch from mix of grass, hay and broken down cow manure at some spotsfrom free-roaming bovines.
Easy for pegs to sink but the ground is still solid enough to hold the pegs in place.
Don’t exactly know how many plots/piches for tents and caravans this campsite can handle. Apparently, they have 5,000 suare-meters of land for this.
PLAY areas
SWIMMING POOL
Is camping all about playgrounds and swimming pools? For our boys, YES, it is!
Swimming pools are particularly importanat when camping in the simmering Spanish summer heat, especially in Andalucia where it can get already quite hot by 10 in the morning even in the summer shade.
But WE ARE IN ANDORRA, NOT ANDALUCIA!!!
NO swimming pool here. Thank God, Allah and the Big Happy Buddha!
Would you want to swim in this weather?
PLAYGOUNDS
Playgrounds are always a nice family-friendly addition that our children appreciate . . . what child wouldn’t anyway?!?
NO playground here either. Good for a change because it lets the children focus on nature, the wilderness that surrounds us.
Just pure play in nature, by the stream and all along the nearby trails.
ACCESSibility
Slow down as you approach the intersection when you see the landmark for Vall d’Incles. It is not easy to spot the entrance to Camping Font de Ferrosins from the road.
Otherwise, you wouldn’t know where to go. If you would look away as you approached, you’d likely miss it. There are no flags, no billboards, no nothing.
Busy intersection. The turns are wide enough though for campervans.
After you turn into this street, there’s about 300 meters to a gated entrance with a booth that you’d have to go through. If there’s a guard, simply say that you are heading to the camping site.
Then, another kilometers to the camping site.
SHADE
NO SHADE here. There’s some at the lower levels.
Shade is especially helpful when camping in Spain in the summer. But we are NOT in Spain anymore.
And in the mountains, you can actually get sunburned. After all, you are closer to the sun! Duh!
However, the relative cold makes us welcome the sun! So, thank God, Allah and the Big Happy Buddha, there was no shade.
Privacy hedges
No privacy bushes. All open camping layout. Park next to each other as you please. . . or not. It’s an unspoken, common courtesy though to keep your distance.
SANITARY FACILITIES
Dishwashing and clothes-washing areas
In the same area as the bathroom (mentioned below). The bathroom is a bit tight with one entry/exit point each. But there was no problem with social distancing during Covid years when we visited –as campers were pretty much self-regulating. During Covid there’s a maximum of 4 people per zone.
Washing areas indoors (for good reasons–it gets quite cold here).
Areas to wash clothes and dishes are basic but sufficiently clean, just outside the bathroom area. Unfortunately, NO separate sections for washing dishes and washing hands.
There were 3 sinks for washing dishes/clothes and 3 for hands.
The positive thing is there was NO problem with hot water.
WC/Bathroom/Shower
One centrally located unisex WC/bathroom/restroom with 2 separate zones and with good ventilation. Each zone has 3 WC/toilets, 2 showers, 4 sinks–above each are electrical plugs.
Simple instructions in 4 languages (English, Spanish, French and Catalan).
Surprisingly, there’s a disinfectant spray available right by the door of the WC, but NO SOAP.
Bathroom conditions are quite basic.
No separation for washing dishes (6 sinks for washing, 8 toilet sinks) but with covid regulations mean half. DO NOT WASH YOUR HANDS HERE, BITTESHCHON, BITTESHIT!
There’s plenty of FREE hot water; really hot too! I know, I know, right? Where else do they chrage for water?!?!? In some campsites like Camping Renval in Bastogne, Belgium and in Poland, YES, they do!
It comes with toilet paper and they did not run out of it. Believe you me, there are plenty of camping sites out there that do NOT provide this most essential product of modern civilized society!
There’s an electric hand dryer. Yay, SAVE the TREES!
NO PROBLEM with water drainage.
NO separate FAMILY bathroom which, admittedly, is a novelty for camping sites, but NOT unusual for family-friendly camping sites in Spain.
DINE or DRINKS
The lifeblood of this camping is nice common indoor space that alse serves as a bar, reception and kitchen. This is where campers can cook, oder some drinks and basic emergency food, and meet locals and other campers while you eat.
For drinks and something local, try the Armagnac. It’s like Cognac.
Friendly proprietors and receptionists. The young barman first lived in a tent at the camp. Shakespeare reads a lot. The other blonde receptionist was quite helpful, charming and perky. She gave our younger son Kaj a free chupachup. Karol gave her a winkie in return.
WI-FI
WIFI at bar/reception area only. Works fast and free (or at least no additional costs), depends on how many people/devices are connecting at any given time!
others
We did not see the following additional amenities: refrigerator, freezer or microwave. It’s likely there. We probably just missed them or forgot to ask.
UNFILTERED Road Trip NOTES on the road to Camping Andorra
Check out this video of FREE things you can do with kids in the Sierra Nevada… in the snow!
About 205 kilometers and 3.5+hours of driving, plus rest.
Before leaving, we met a very pleasant Ukrainian lady who lives in Valencia. The boys played with her 6-year-old daughter Olga.
After pool, extended grace period from camping, Lady in red swimsuit.
Continue north on caminos agricolas (N-211), through the rocky white mountains, along the snaking riverlake of Caspe, which the boys call Casper, the ghost.
Cross the 1st bridge with a well-preserved fortress castle on the mountain overlooking the lake, with 2 others in ruins; this before the sleepy town of Mequinenza.
How they managed to put al these greeneries and trees in almost evey single space on and inbetween the white rocky mountain surfaces are incredible! Must be some form of terraforming. Brilliant!
Exit 465 to C-12. Merged onto A2, past Fraga.
Road sign: welcome to the Republic of Catalonia on the entrance to Balaguer.
Turns to C-13 north towards Andorra.
First town on the hill that has a commanding presence: Cubells with the site to visit–Santa Maria del Castell.
Nice name of town: Artesa dde Segre. It seems like there’s a lingering scent of pig shit in the air since Lleida… and we’re already near Artesa del Segre.
Ruins of a fortress chalet/castle on the left of highway, in between El Gos and Ponts.
Past Ponts, roundabout 2nd exit onto C-14.
Town of Oliana. Next time you’re passing through DO STOP BY Camping Oliana with beautiful backdrop of the Pyrenees mountains.
Emerald green lake, dam, tunnels.
Organya. El PLa de san tirs.
Breakstop: La Seu d’Urgell part 2… the only town we’ve been to twice. Playground. Pizza and beers at the sports center stop with loud kids, one who lost a chankla (flip-flop). Tank up at gas Arap 9 (BP) before you enter Andorra.
Then, through Andorra, bypassing Andorra la Vella and 25-something kilometers northeast to Canillo.
D18: 20.7 TUE
Next Stop: A Hop and a Bop in France!
Onwards, upwards. . . . to Andorra! Here’s the first half of our family camping road trip. . . number FOUR! 1,617-something kilometers from Jerez de la Frontera, detour to Bolonia, then Setenil de las Bodegas, the white villages of the Alpujarras, the caves of Guadix, Baeza, Ubeda, Ossa de Montiel, the hanging houses of Cuenca, Lake Caspe and finally the little country of Andorra. . . at least for the first half of this trip!
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