Estany de Més Amunt

Estany de Més Amunt is the uppermost and largest of the three Tristaina lakes in Ordino-Arcalís, set at roughly 2,330 metres beneath Pic de Tristaina. Its rounded outline and position at the head of the cirque make it the most enclosed of the trio: the walk arrives at a broad high basin, with the mountain rising above the water and the lower Estany del Mig behind. The lake is not simply a remote blue point on a map. It is the turning point of the official circuit, where the route follows the shore, crosses the outflow on a wooden footbridge and begins its return towards the middle lake.

The usual circuit starts at La Coma del Forat, near the Ordino-Arcalís ski area. The official route sheet describes a 4.39-kilometre loop with about 210 metres of ascent and descent and an estimated total time of two hours and fifteen minutes; the current Visit Andorra summary rounds the outing to three hours. These are estimates for the whole circuit, not a walk from the starting point to this lake alone. The path first reaches Estany Primer, then traverses the slopes above Estany del Mig before continuing to Més Amunt. The staged route sheet gives 1 hour and 15 minutes at the path to the upper lake and later describes reaching Més Amunt, so walkers should use the signed route and allow time for pauses rather than treat every waypoint figure as an exact arrival time.

The order of the lakes explains the Catalan names. Primer is the first encountered on the official approach, del Mig is the middle lake and Més Amunt is the one farther uphill. The upper lake lies close to the foot of Pic de Tristaina, whose summit reaches 2,878 metres. The lake circuit stays below the summit; climbing the peak is a separate, steeper mountain objective and should not be added casually to a moderate lakeside outing. From Més Amunt the marked circuit follows the shoreline and crosses the stream on a small bridge, then tracks back towards Estany del Mig. The return sequence is therefore different from simply retracing the inward route.

Among the three waters, Més Amunt offers the most open view into the upper cirque and the largest area of shoreline to explore. The lake’s near-circular shape contrasts with the narrower middle lake and the smaller Primer basin lower down. Its setting also explains why it is such a clear landmark: the enclosing slopes funnel attention toward the Pic de Tristaina wall, while the outflow provides a natural route connection back to the lower lakes. The nearby Tristaina Solar Viewpoint is a separate structure on Pic de Peyreguils; it is not located at this lake and requires its own lift or mountain approach.

Visit Andorra says bathing is permitted at Més Amunt in summer. That permission does not mean the lake is warm, supervised or equipped as a swimming facility. It is a high mountain lake with no lifeguard, changing rooms or services at the shore; cold water, rocky edges and sudden weather remain relevant. Anyone choosing to enter should do so only when conditions are calm and safe, avoid disturbing other walkers, and never treat a dip as part of a guaranteed visitor service. The lower and middle lakes are distinct parts of the route, and the bathing statement should not be generalized to them.

Access changes with season and resort operations. In summer, the Tristaina gondola can take visitors from the L’Hortell area up to La Coma, shortening the walk to the circuit, but it does not carry people directly to the lakes. The resort also runs the Creussans chairlift to the viewpoint area on a separate schedule. Visit Andorra notes that summer vehicle access to Coma del Forat is restricted to cyclists, so drivers should not assume they can reach the lakeside trailhead by car at any hour. Check Ordino-Arcalís’ current road and lift notices before travel; lift opening times are transport hours, not opening hours for the natural lake.

The official circuit is described as moderate and well signposted, but it is still a high mountain walk. The first lake is reached after an initial climb; the loop then crosses uneven paths, loose or rocky ground and short rises between basins. Proper footwear, water, sun protection and an extra warm layer are sensible even on a clear day. The official tourism guidance recommends routes above 1,700 metres between late June and late September for safety, while noting that weather can change quickly. Snow, ice, thunderstorms or poor visibility can make the circuit harder or unsuitable, and the marked summer timing is not a winter itinerary.

There is no admission gate or staffed visitor centre beside Estany de Més Amunt. Google and Tripadvisor material reviewed identifies the broader Estanys de Tristaina attraction but does not display a dependable current daily schedule for this individual lake. The OSM feature is a natural waterbody rather than an operated venue, and no lake-specific opening hours were found in the consulted listings. Treat the lake as an outdoor destination subject to current access restrictions and mountain conditions, not as a 24-hour promise. Seasonal rules for fishing are separate from general access and should be checked independently if relevant.

For a first visit, the clearest plan is to follow the signed Estanys de Tristaina circuit, visit the lakes in sequence and keep enough daylight for the full return. Més Amunt is the upper, largest basin and the route’s natural high point, while Pic de Tristaina and the Solar Viewpoint are separate objectives. The mountain setting rewards a measured pace, but its appeal depends on preserving the terrain: stay on marked paths, take rubbish back down, keep dogs and other visitors from disturbing livestock or wildlife, and avoid drinking untreated lake water. If clouds build over the ridge or the trail becomes icy, turning back is preferable to pressing on simply to complete the loop.