Font de la Closa

Font de la Closa is a small mountain spring and picnic area on the wooded slopes above Engolasters. Its appeal is the combination of a quiet resting place, a traditional fountain and a walk through the high forest rather than a formal visitor centre or built attraction. The spring lies on the Itinerari Coll Jovell, a circular hiking route published by Visit Andorra. Walkers reach it along forest paths from the Engolasters road, with the route linking viewpoints, the Coll Jovell pass, old bordes and the Les Fonts circuit.

The official Coll Jovell itinerary is 4.9 kilometres long, graded easy, and lists about 250 metres of ascent and descent. The overall time category is broad, from zero to three hours, so allow time for a relaxed pace, rests and navigation rather than treating it as a fixed short walk. The route begins near the six-kilometre point beyond Sant Miquel d’Engolasters church, where there is a small parking area and the start of the Les Fonts Circuit. The fountain itself is not at the roadhead: it is reached on foot after following the route through the forest.

On the official loop, a wide track leads from the trailhead past a short tunnel and a viewpoint over Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany. The route reaches a picnic point and the Camí dels Matxos, then climbs toward Coll Jovell. On the return, walkers retrace part of the mule track and take the Costa de l’Avet path down to the picnic area and Font de la Closa. The spring is therefore a natural stop within a wider circuit, and it can also be approached as a shorter out-and-back walk from the Engolasters side if you are comfortable following the signed trail and turning around at the same point.

The official hiking guide places the fountain at approximately 1,520 metres above sea level. This is lower than the Coll Jovell high point but still a mountain environment, where shade, damp ground and changing weather can affect the walk. Visit Andorra recommends that routes above 1,700 metres are best undertaken from late June through late September, with a possible extension from May to October when conditions allow. The higher section toward Coll Jovell crosses that elevation threshold; the advice is relevant if you plan the whole loop, even though the spring picnic area itself is lower. Snow, ice, storms, fallen branches and muddy paths can make a nominally easy route unsuitable on a particular day.

The name Font de la Closa refers to the spring, but no current official water-quality notice was found confirming that the water is potable. Do not drink it or refill bottles unless onsite signage clearly states that it is safe. Natural springs can change with rainfall, wildlife and maintenance, and a clear flow is not proof of drinking-water quality. Bring enough water for the walk, especially in warm weather, and carry out any rubbish. The picnic area is a simple outdoor resting point; do not expect a café, staffed service, indoor shelter or guaranteed facilities.

The surrounding route connects several features of Engolasters’ mountain landscape. Forest tracks and old paths meet near the bordes, the traditional rural buildings found in Andorra’s upland areas. The Coll Jovell pass opens views toward the Madriu Valley, while the return leg passes the UNDR sculpture by Josep Cerdà i Ferré near the road. These points help make the spring part of a satisfying half-day outing, but they are not substitutes for route markings or a downloaded map. The trails intersect, and the official itinerary describes multiple junctions where following the correct branch matters.

The nearby Circuit de les Fonts is another way to explore the area’s water and forest setting. Visit Andorra describes that circuit as beginning at the Engolasters road parking and extending to the Corralets picnic area; its route passes several named springs, including Font de les Ordigues, Font de les Molleres, Font dels Corralets and Font de la Closa. The circuit is about 2.8 kilometres and takes a little over an hour and a half according to the tourism information. These are related routes, not interchangeable names for one single trail, so check which itinerary you intend to follow before setting off.

There are no fixed daily opening hours for an open-air spring on a public hiking route. Access depends on trail conditions, daylight, weather and any temporary closures or safety notices. Plan to finish well before dark, carry a charged phone, and tell someone your route if walking alone. The small parking area at the trailhead can fill during popular periods; do not block the road or private access if it is full. There is no dependable published bus or parking timetable specifically for the spring, so verify transport and road conditions separately.

Font de la Closa suits walkers looking for a modest mountain outing with a clear destination and the option to extend the day toward Coll Jovell or the Les Fonts paths. The combination of forest, a picnic stop and a spring gives the walk a gentler character than a summit hike, while the surrounding junctions and elevation still call for basic preparation. Wear shoes with grip, carry water and a light layer, check current weather, and follow the official route description. Treat the fountain as a scenic natural feature unless current signs confirm drinking-water status, and leave the picnic area as you found it.