estany de Font Negra

Estany de Font Negra is a glacial mountain lake straddling the border between Andorra and France, sitting at roughly 2,260 metres in the Pyrenees. Its Catalan name translates literally as "lake of the black spring," and the same body of water is also commonly known as Estany de les Abelletes. The lake lies within Andorra's Encamp parish, just above the town of Pas de la Casa and close to the summit of Pic de Font Negra. It marks the source of the Ariège river, a tributary of the Garonne, making this modest alpine lake one of the headwaters of a much larger river system on the French side of the range.

Where exactly is the lake located?

Estany de Font Negra sits right on the international boundary: part of the lake belongs to Andorra's Encamp parish, the other part to the French commune of Porta, in the Cerdanya region. For decades the exact line of the border here was disputed — Andorran maps drew it through the middle of the lake, while French maps claimed the entire body of water as French territory. The dispute was finally settled in 2012, when both countries agreed on a boundary that splits the lake roughly in half. Six markers were installed on site to fix the new line — three stone pillars cut from local granite and three engraved rocks — the only markers of their kind anywhere along Andorra's border.

How do you get there on foot?

The most common starting point is Pas de la Casa, from where a hiking trail climbs up and over the Coll dels Isards pass before dropping down to the lakeshore. The route requires no climbing gear or technical skill, though hikers should still plan around mountain weather and wear proper footwear given the altitude. The trail also forms part of longer routes linking the eastern Andorran Pyrenees with the western Cerdanya valley, popular with summer walkers exploring this stretch of the range. From the lake, some hikers continue upward toward nearby summits such as Pic Negre d'Envalira and Pic d'Envalira.

What is there to do at the lake?

Estany de Font Negra is primarily a hiking destination and a favourite spot for summer picnics, surrounded by high-altitude meadows and rocky slopes that make for a natural resting point after the climb from Pas de la Casa. One quirk that amuses visitors is the border itself running through the water: a fish caught on one side of the lake technically comes from a different country than one caught a few metres away on the other side — an unusually literal piece of political geography for such a small, quiet spot.

FAQ

Is Estany de Font Negra the same lake as Estany de les Abelletes? Yes, both names refer to the same lake; Estany de les Abelletes is simply an alternative name still in common use.

Is the lake in Andorra or in France? Technically both — the international border runs straight through it, following the boundary agreement reached in 2012.

What is the usual hiking route to the lake? Most visitors approach from Pas de la Casa via the Coll dels Isards pass; the trail is non-technical and doesn't require climbing equipment.

Which river originates at this lake? The lake feeds the Ariège river, a tributary of the Garonne that continues on through France.

Is it a good spot for a summer rest stop? Yes, it's a popular picnic spot and a natural break point on hiking routes connecting Andorra with the French Cerdanya valley.