Enko (Tamarro)

Enko is the Tamarro associated with Encamp, one of seven playful wooden characters placed around Andorra as part of a family nature-discovery activity. The figure stands by the picnic area at Camí Pleta dels Orris, along the Carretera dels Cortals. Visitors can stop to see the character, enjoy the mountain setting and let children take part in the Tamarros search. Enko is an outdoor stop rather than a staffed museum, with the roadside mountain setting and the wooden character forming a simple destination for a family pause.

Andorra Turisme presents the Tamarros as mischievous beings from local legend who protect the country’s forests and natural environment. Each parish has its own character: Enko for Encamp, Nilo for Canillo, Dino for Ordino, Massa for La Massana, Andy for Andorra la Vella, Caldes for Escaldes-Engordany and Lau for Sant Julià de Lòria. The story gives children a reason to notice the forest and landscape while travelling between parishes. It is a family activity built around imagination and outdoor exploration, not a wildlife encounter or a claim about a real animal.

The official tourism map places Enko at approximately 42.534667, 1.618194 and names the location as the picnic area on the Carretera dels Cortals. Encamp’s tourism material describes the figure as next to the Cortals picnic area, where Enko protects the Vall dels Cortals. The stop is close to the road and can be combined with a drive through the valley. Park only in designated spaces and take care when walking between the parking area and the figure, especially with young children or when other vehicles are moving through the picnic site.

The picnic area offers a natural place to pause, but the presence of Enko does not guarantee that every facility is open or maintained on a particular day. Bring water and food if you plan to stay, carry rubbish back with you and respect posted fire or access rules. Outdoor furniture, toilets and seasonal services may vary. The area is not a staffed visitor centre, and there is no dependable daily schedule for the figure itself. Access may be affected by snow, storms, road works or temporary safety restrictions on the mountain road.

The Cortals road also connects visitors with a wider mountain landscape and seasonal activities. Encamp’s 2025 Funicamp material maps Enko among local points of interest alongside the Tibetan Bridge, lakes, via ferratas and other mountain destinations. Those attractions have their own operating periods and access requirements. Funicamp’s summer operation, for example, is separate from the roadside Tamarro stop, and visiting Enko does not include a gondola ride, guided walk or access to a mountain facility. Check each attraction independently before planning a full day.

Families can make the Tamarros search more engaging by collecting the official activity booklet or map from a tourist information office. Andorra Turisme’s activity materials explain that children can mark the characters they find and then show their completed search at a tourism office to receive the listed reward, subject to the current programme. Confirm that the booklet and prize arrangement are still available for your dates; campaign details may change, and not every visitor centre will necessarily have printed copies in stock.

The setting is best enjoyed at a relaxed pace. A short stop lets children look at the figure and the surrounding trees, while older visitors may continue along other marked paths or use the picnic area as a break on a broader Encamp itinerary. Choose footwear appropriate to the season, and check weather forecasts before climbing the Cortals road. Conditions can differ from central Encamp, particularly in winter. Do not assume a route is clear simply because the town is sunny, and turn back if snow or ice makes the roadside or trail unsafe.

Enko pairs naturally with other family stops in Encamp, including village heritage sites and outdoor routes, but distances and access vary. Encamp town is lower in the valley, while the Cortals road climbs into mountain terrain. Drivers should allow time for the winding road and use signed parking rather than stopping at an unmarked bend. Cyclists and walkers may also use the road, so drive slowly and leave room when passing. If you are travelling by bus, verify whether a seasonal service reaches the picnic area; ordinary urban service information does not establish transport all the way to Enko.

There are no fixed opening hours for this outdoor character. Daylight, weather, snow clearance, road status and any temporary closures are the practical limits. The figure can be viewed without purchasing a ticket, but that does not guarantee that nearby activities, transport or visitor facilities are operating. Before setting out, check current Encamp or Andorra tourism notices, especially in winter and during periods of heavy rain or maintenance. Once there, keep children close to the road and leave the picnic area clean for the next family.