Tamarro Lau

Tamarro Lau is a wooden woodland figure on the Camí de Comabella above Sant Julià de Lòria, created as the parish’s stop in Andorra’s family “Find the Tamarro” activity. Children look for seven characters across the country, one associated with each parish, while learning the project’s simple conservation story: the tamarros protect nature from litter. Lau suits families wanting a short outdoor stop rather than a full mountain walk, but the figure’s location has changed. Older maps and tracks may direct visitors to an earlier position, so check the current map pin or ask locally before setting off.

The tamarros are imaginary guardians rather than figures from a documented historical cult. VisitAndorra presents them as playful beings that appear when nature needs help, and names Lau as the character assigned to Sant Julià de Lòria. That distinction makes this visit different from a monument or wildlife exhibit: the main activity is a child-led search, with the wooden figure serving as a meeting point and a prompt to notice the forest around it. The conservation message is direct and accessible to younger visitors—leave the woodland clean and avoid harming animals or plants.

Lau belongs to a country-wide set that also includes Dino in Ordino, Massa in La Massana, Nilo in Canillo, Enko in Encamp, Andy in Andorra la Vella and Caldes in Escaldes-Engordany. The characters are not one attraction inside a ticketed park; each is encountered in a different outdoor setting. Families can make Lau one stop on a longer Andorran trip, but there is no need to collect all seven in one day. The distances between parishes and the very different approaches make that an unnecessarily rushed plan for young children.

The current area is reached from the Comabella side of the Carretera de la Rabassa, near the Font de Comabella picnic and spring area. Recent visitor reports describe parking by the fountain or nearby roadside spaces, then crossing the road and walking uphill on a broad, stony track towards the trees. This is practical local guidance rather than a managed car park guarantee: spaces are limited, the road carries traffic, and the older official tourist map still gives a different coordinate. Follow the current Tamarro Lau map listing or local signs, and do not stop where a vehicle would obstruct the road or a resident’s access.

The walk is short but not a paved promenade. Visitors describe a steady uphill section and stone underfoot; the route is unsuitable for pushchairs, and small children may need a hand on uneven ground. Allow extra time for the climb, the search and a return at a child’s pace rather than planning by the straight-line distance on a map. Wear shoes with grip, especially after rain, and supervise children near the road, gates and woodland edges. There is no evidence of a staffed reception, toilet block or guaranteed services at the figure itself.

At the destination, the reward is the encounter with Lau and the quiet change from roadside access into a wooded setting. The character is designed to be found and photographed by families, but visitors should treat the installation gently: do not climb on it, pull at parts or leave tokens and rubbish. The broader point of the project is care for nature, so the best visit is a light-footed one that does not damage the surrounding vegetation or disturb other people using the paths.

Comabella adds a useful second stop. The Font de Comabella and its picnic area are commonly used as the approach landmark, allowing families to combine the short search with a rest outdoors. A separate Macarulla children’s trail is also promoted in the area; it is a distinct activity and should not be assumed to pass Lau unless the current map confirms the connection. The Carretera de la Rabassa continues uphill towards Naturland and other high-country walks, but those are separate outings with different distances and conditions, not extensions of the short Tamarro visit by default.

The site is an outdoor feature without an admission desk or published visitor timetable. Daylight and trail conditions should govern the visit. Snow, ice, mud or heavy rain can make the stony approach harder, and winter clothing is sensible at this elevation even when the town below feels mild. In warm weather, bring water and sun protection; there is no dependable service at the figure. If the current pin, signs and older trail descriptions disagree, prioritize local signs and current directions rather than following a saved track that may end at the former location.

Lau works best as a brief, low-cost family outing for children who enjoy searching and walking a woodland path. It is less suitable for a stroller, for anyone expecting an accessible paved attraction or for visitors seeking a long hike or a substantial monument. The changed location is the main planning detail: confirm it before driving up, park considerately by the Comabella access, and leave enough time for a short uphill walk without turning the search into a race.