Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley, Glacial valley in Encamp, Andorra

The Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley is a glacial valley in southeastern Andorra covering 42.47 km², about 9% of the country. It is bounded by mountain ridges on the south, east and west, with the Spanish border along its southern edge, and drops northward into the Valira valley. Two small settlements, Entremesaigües and Ramio, stand on the narrow valley floor, with 12 houses built of local granite and roofed with schist.

The valley has been used by people since medieval times, particularly for iron smelting operations along the Madriu River. These forges worked for hundreds of years until they closed in the late 1700s, leaving behind evidence of this old industry.

The stone houses with slate roofs in the small settlements show how mountain communities built their homes to survive harsh weather. This building style reflects the practical knowledge people developed over centuries in this high-altitude landscape.

The valley is closed to vehicles; access is on foot only, via stone-paved tracks and the GR 7 and GR 11 long-distance paths. Several staffed and unstaffed mountain refuges provide overnight shelter. Camping and fires are prohibited in the protected area, so plan stages around the huts and carry water and weather protection.

The valley maintains a shared land system that traces back to the 13th century, where farmers still graze livestock in the high pastures today. This ancient ownership model is rare in Europe and shows how traditional communities managed their mountain resources together.