In this article
- What are the Tamarros of Andorra?
- The 7 Tamarros: Parish, Name, and Difficulty
- Nilo — Canillo
- Enko — Encamp
- Caldes — Escaldes-Engordany
- Dino — Ordino
- Lau — Sant Julià de Lòria
- Andy — Andorra la Vella
- Massa — La Massana
- How to get the passport and the prize
- Other activities you can do with children
- Tips for doing the route with children
- When is the best time to do the route
- Where to stay near the routes
- Frequently Asked Questions
The Tamarros route is Andorra's most popular family activity: seven magical wooden creatures hidden, one in each parish of the Principality, which children must find with a passport-notebook in hand. The trails range from 5 to 25 minutes, are accessible for babies in strollers and for grandparents, and can be done at any time of year. In this guide, you will find the exact location of each Tamarro, how to get the free passport, the best tips for organizing it with small children, and where to stay near the routes.
What are the Tamarros of Andorra?
The Tamarros are magical creatures inspired by Pyrenean mythology. They have inhabited the forests of Andorra since time immemorial, and their mission is to protect the nature of the Principality from their great enemy: Brutícia, a malevolent troll who pollutes mountains, lakes, and forests with trash.
The initiative comes from Turisme d'Andorra, although its design and symbolism draw from ancient fables of the Pyrenean region. Today, each of the seven Tamarros guards its own parish, and children are the only ones who can activate their magical portals: they must collect small stones or pinecones and deposit them in the portal that each figure carries on its back so that the Tamarro can enter the forest and protect it. The educational dimension is as important as the playful one. The Tamarros teach children the value of environmental protection and the need to keep forests clean to preserve biodiversity.
The 7 Tamarros: Parish, Name, and Difficulty
Tamarro | Parish | Route Time | Difficulty |
Nilo | Canillo | ~1 min (next to road) | Very Easy |
Enko | Encamp | ~5 min | Very Easy |
Caldes | Escaldes-Engordany | ~10 min | Easy |
Dino | Ordino | ~5 min | Easy |
Lau | Sant Julià de Lòria | ~5 min | Easy |
Andy | Andorra la Vella | ~20-25 min | Easy |
Massa | La Massana | ~15-20 min | Moderate |
Nilo — Canillo
The Tamarro Nilo is located next to the Montaup road, in Planels de Mereig (Canillo), near the Roc del Quer Viewpoint. It doesn't require a route: it's next to the road and can be seen from the car. If you're already visiting the viewpoint (a must-see, with one of the most spectacular views in the country), Nilo awaits you just a few meters away. Nearby picnic area and free parking.
Local tip: Combine it with the Roc del Quer viewpoint at sunrise. The views over the Canillo valley are next level, and there are no tourists at that time.
Enko — Encamp
Enko is the Tamarro of the Encamp parish, and the excursion is very short, about 5 minutes. Just type "Tamarro Enko" into Google Maps, and the GPS will lead you directly there. You can park in the Camí Pleta dels Orris picnic area.
Caldes — Escaldes-Engordany
Caldes awaits you on a route of approximately 10 minutes. You can leave your car in the Les Fonts parking lot, near Lake Engolasters, and walk until you find this guardian of nature. This combination —lake + Tamarro— makes it one of the most complete for a family morning.
Dino — Ordino
Dino protects the forests of the Ordino parish and is located in a very spectacular setting, with horses in front and a picnic area very close by. You can park at the Merendero de Encodina and walk only 5 minutes from there.
Local tip: Right in Ordino, there is also the Museu de la Miniatura, small and very entertaining for children.
Lau — Sant Julià de Lòria
Park at the Comabella fountain and walk only 5 minutes to reach Lau's residence. At the fountain, you'll find a small picnic area, perfect for resting after the search.
Andy — Andorra la Vella
The Tamarro Andy trail is interactive and circular: the little ones discover details about Andy's life in the forest. The starting point is the "forest gate" and the materials used are made from recycled materials, reflecting a commitment to nature. Along the way, you'll find various wooden games to make it more enjoyable. It takes about 20-25 minutes, making it the longest route, but suitable for everyone.
It's the most entertaining for children aged 3 to 8: they have to look for stones and pinecones along the way before reaching the portal.
Massa — La Massana
To reach Massa, take the d'Arinsal road, next to the Riu Pollós Picnic Area. The entire path runs alongside the Riu Pollós, with several waterfalls next to the trail and various informative panels about the local fauna and flora. Although it's an easy route, it's the most complicated of the seven, with a bit more elevation gain and a rockier path.
After walking alongside the river and crossing a couple of bridges, you reach a small slope where Massa awaits, next to a waterfall. A beautiful and relaxing spot.
Local tip: Bring a sandwich. The Riu Pollós area has fantastic picnic tables next to the waterfalls, ideal for lunch.
How to get the passport and the prize
To start the activity, you need to go to one of Andorra's information centers and ask for the Tamarro books. They will give you two: the story "Andy's Forest" and the route and stamping book "Find the Tamarro". They are available in different languages.
Each Tamarro has its own stamp, and when you complete all seven, you can return to the tourist office and receive a small gift that rewards your effort. It's the perfect gamification system to keep children motivated during several days of your visit.
Tourist offices where you can pick up the passport:
- Andorra la Vella (Government Administrative Building)
- Escaldes-Engordany (Plaça dels Coprínceps)
- Encamp, La Massana, Ordino, Canillo, and Sant Julià de Lòria (communal tourist offices)
Other activities you can do with children
Tips for doing the route with children
Organizing the Tamarro route requires some planning to make the experience complete:
Before you go:
- Pick up the passport the evening before the first day of routes. This way, the children will go to sleep excited.
- Group the Tamarros by geographical area to avoid unnecessary travel across the country. A good combination: Canillo + Encamp + Escaldes-Engordany on the first day; La Massana + Ordino on the second; Andorra la Vella + Sant Julià on the third.
- Download Google Maps offline. Coverage in some mountain areas may fail.
During the route:
- Wear comfortable shoes: although most Tamarros are in accessible places, some paths can be a bit more demanding.
- Bring water and something to eat: some of the spots are in the middle of nature, so a small picnic can be a great idea.
- Let the children place the stones in the portal themselves. The scene is beautiful, and they experience it as a ritual.
Common mistakes to avoid:
- Trying to do all 7 Tamarros in a single day. It's possible, but it exhausts the little ones. It's better to spread it over 2 or 3 days.
- Forgetting the passport at the hotel. No stamps, no prize.
- Going without phone battery. Photos of the magical portal are essential.
When is the best time to do the route
Although Andorra is mainly known for its winter skiing, the Tamarro route is a perfect activity for spring, summer, and autumn, when mountain paths are accessible and the landscape shines in all its splendor.
Any time of year is good to go looking for the Tamarros, although the ideal season to enjoy the mountains with children is when the good weather arrives. If you like to go on a winter getaway, you can also take the opportunity to look for them, although you need to wear appropriate footwear for snow and warm clothing.
Recommendation by months:
- June to September: The best time of year. The days are long, the trails are clear, and the colours of the forest are spectacular. Start early to avoid the midday heat.
- October and November: Beautiful autumn atmosphere. The colours of the forest are a real spectacle. Fewer tourists.
- December to March: Possible, but check the condition of the trails before setting off. Snow or ice on some sections requires suitable clothing and footwear.
- April and May: A landscape full of flowers and streams with plenty of water flow. Highly recommended.
Where to stay near the routes
To enjoy the route without rushing, the ideal option is to stay in Andorra for 2 or 3 nights. From the centre of the country, none of the Tamarros are more than a 30-minute drive away.
You can explore the full range of hotels and accommodation in Andorra, from family-friendly hotels with swimming pools to self-catering apartments perfect for stays with children. Filtering by parish allows you to choose a strategic location close to the Tamarros you want to visit first.
The 7 Tamarros route is the most complete family excursion in Andorra: it combines gentle hiking, environmental education and gamification in a format that works for all ages and throughout the year. With a free passport, trails ranging from 5 to 25 minutes and a prize at the end, it is the perfect plan for 2 or 3 days of family adventure through the forests of the Principality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Joan
Article written and updated by the local team at Andorra.com
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