Sleeping in Borda del Buno, the best kept secret in the Ordino forests.
For many years, and since the Middle Ages, the huts were used by shepherds to house animals and agricultural tools . These constructions of stone, wood and stone roofs are scattered throughout the Pyrenees, especially in the areas of Aragon, Catalonia, Navarra and Andorra. With the loss of this ancient practice, many shepherds were forced to abandon their huts to the fate of the mountains. And so they stayed in the landscape without anyone noticing them.
Today they have been used as accommodation in mountain crossings or charming rural accommodation. . This is the case of the Borda del Buno, a small stone hut located in the woods of the Valley of Sorteny (Ordino), half an hour from the center of Andorra by car.
This magical place was recovered by Elisabet, the founder of ** Epic Andorra ** and one of the best mountaineers in the country. Epic was born in August 2016 as a sum of experiences for those who love the mountains, staying in unique places and gastronomy. Thanks to that idea, they began to restore some huts in Andorra, such as Borda del Buno , built in 1830 to house cattle and those people who traveled from the town of Cortinada to pick fruit during the summer months.
This is where we start **our trip and route through the valleys of Andorra. **
A magical place.
FROM EDGE TO EDGE
The first thing that happens when you arrive at Borda del Buno is that the Epic Andorra team welcomes you with open arms , as if a relative was waiting for you that you haven't seen for a long time. With love and attention.
The hut is practically intact, that is, its essence has been respected by adding a couple of windows and the rustic bathroom, but now with all the details you could dream of: leather rugs, vases of flowers, checkered curtains and wooden beams. . **Your kitchen is fully equipped so you don't miss anything, especially food. **
As soon as you arrive you have a delicious welcome "apat", which has** cheeses and sausages from Andorra**, as well as some good “Torrades de pa amb tomàquet” and a bottle of wine. If your stay is in winter,** the fireplace will await you with a pleasant fire**, and if you arrive in spring-summer you can enjoy nature in its fullness in its outdoor area. An individual picnic area with mountain views. Pure luxury!
This shepherds' hut is located right on the Valley of Sorteny , formerly a fruit harvesting and iron industry route. If you follow the path, which crosses the cabin and goes up accompanied by a river, you will arrive at the shelter now rehabilitated for hikers, but a faithful reminder of what one day was the work in the iron quarries. It is a pleasant walk of medium difficulty, in which you can also enter the Natural Park.
Hand in hand with Epic Andorra, which adjusts 100% to the requests of its clients, we decided to choose a mountain route to get to know another of the huts that are found in this part of the north of the country. We are accompanied by our mountain guide Xavi Bonatti, an expert in climbing, hiking and trekking. It will be difficult for there to be any path through these lands where he has not been before.
Each Epic experience has a guide Whether it's off-piste skiing, weaving through the woods, or a simple day of fishing. There is nothing related to nature and sports that Epic cannot offer you. We started this route in the little town of Llorts.
We ascend in about two hours to the Borda James, a spectacular glamping enclave at 1,800 meters above sea level. Their tents have one of the best views in all of Andorra , that is why it is here where they carry out yoga sessions in the summer. We discovered the borda during lunch with views of the entire valley. Luckily the weather is favorable for us, but here from autumn the first snowflakes begin to fall and the cold is another travel companion.
La Borda Jaume is only available in the summer months , that's why if you decide to visit in winter there are many more incredible huts like the Ice Ax Cabin made of wood and fully equipped in the heart of Grandvalira- Grau Roig . That is, you just have to put on your skis and slide down the mountain to the slopes.
Another very curious is the AirStream Caravan, an accommodation in the purest American style at 2,000 meters of altitude in the ski resort of Ordino Arcalís.
IT'S TIME FOR DINNER
Dinner awaits us after the day on the mountain. It is then when the Borda del Buno becomes that mountain refuge that you hope to find; and in the heat of the firewood you open a bottle of wine, cut some wedges of cheese from Casa Raubert. His sheep belong to the Assaf breed originating from Israel but since 1985 they also live in Catalonia and Andorra. With their milk they make these delicious cheeses that are well worth a trip.
The charming dinner It is accompanied by a vegetable lasagna (for vegetarians and vegans there are options) and chicken in sauce. Plus? Homemade ice cream.
We ended the day sleeping peacefully in his stone room, well padded and clothed. Up to four people can fit in this room at Borda Buno , although it has capacity for a maximum of 5 with a sofa bed. Good night!