TOPO Via ferrata | CLIMBING7.COM

Via ferrata de la Canal del Grau, Canillo

Publié le 13 September 2020 | Canillo Eng, Andorra Eng

The via ferrata de la Canal del Grau may look like nothing, but it's not. A natural continuation of the via ferrata dels Racons, the route is less aerial and physical than its neighbor, but there are many technical passages to negotiate and the equipment is minimalist in places, forcing you to use the rock to progress. Traced in a small gorge set back from the valley, the atmosphere is wilder and more forested. The link-up between Racons and Canal del Grau is perfect for tiring your arms and gaining height, before eventually finishing at the Mirador du Roc del Quer.

Technical summary

■ S tarting point: road above Canillo, Andorra
■ Type of route: via ferrata
■ Direction: south-west
■ Equipped length: 350 m
■ Vertical rise: +90 m
■ Estimated total time: 1h to 1h30
■ Min and max altitude: 220 m / 300 m
■ Equipment in place: rungs, chains, 1 footbridge, 1 monkey bridge
■ Equipment required: standard equipment

Difficulty: K3+ or AD

Access to the place

Drive to the village of Canillo, a few kilometers before Encamp and Andorra la Vella from France. Park in the village, rather close to its southern exit. You'll have to pay to park, but it's not that expensive. Avoid parking further down the road in front of the Cantina dels Racons restaurant, as apparently there have been problems, as the parking lot is reserved for the restaurant's customers.

Map & topo

Access and via ferrata routes are indicative only.

Voir en plein écran

Itinerary description

Hiking to the start 5' / 30'

Ideally, you should do this ferrata after the ferrata dels Racons. Otherwise, simply walk up the Cami del Grau from the road to reach the start of a steep path in 30', equipped in places with knotted ropes.

Course 30' à 1h

The ferrata begins with a traverse using a simple chain, with foot supports on grip or on small flats. We pass just above a beautiful dead tree that emerges from the wall, and then climb a few metres with rungs to reach the suspension bridge that gives access to the spur.

At the exit of the bridge, the South face of the spur begins, with a little gas underfoot. At the start, there's a small dihedral to negotiate in opposition, then a series of rungs to exit onto a narrow, airy ridge at the 1st summit (see photo).

After a traverse and a mini-wall, the second summit begins. A pretty wall equipped with rungs and almost at the top, the route swings to the right to enter the gorge with a passage that's not easy to unclimb on a traverse with little support for the feet. In the hollow we pass a 1st mini-bridge on a cable, and just after a second, slightly longer one. All that remains is to climb an inclined ramp without difficulty to finish on the ferrata's final level.

Back

Simply follow the path marked with yellow dots. You soon come to the end of the ferrata dels Racons and then to the start of the ferrata. Follow the path down a narrow couloir, then into the forest, to return to the road just below Canillo.