France Inaugurates French Section of 32km Andorra-Ariège Transhumance Trail

The French section of a 32-kilometre cross-border transhumance trail between Andorra and Ariège was officially inaugurated on Saturday at France's Plateau de Beille. The fully signposted path celebrates traditional herding practices, the primary sector's contribution to landscape preservation and biodiversity, and the linked cultural, architectural and gastronomic heritage of the mountains, while promoting sustainable tourism cooperation.

The event drew key representatives from both sides. Andorra sent Environment, Agriculture and Livestock Minister Guillem Casal, Foreign Affairs Minister Imma Tor, ambassador to France Esther Rabasa, and Sebastià Plaza, Canillo parish councillor for Environment, Agriculture and Renewable Energies. French attendees included Ariège Conseil Départemental president Christine Téqui, who presided over the ceremony, Haute Ariège Community of Communes president Alain Marfaing, and officials from Ariège and the Occitanie region.

Initiated in 2022 after Andorra, France, Spain and other countries backed UNESCO's designation of transhumance as intangible cultural heritage, the trail highlights shepherds, cattle herders, farmers and breeders. It features local breeds including Andorra's Bruna cow, Gasconne des Pyrénées, Mérens and Catalan or Cerdanya horses, and sheep such as Berberina and Tarasconnaise. The route passes mountain pastoral sites like bordes huts and orris stone shelters, and incorporates herding-related festivals, fairs and events. Andorran examples include Setúria's herb blessing, Ordino's early August cattle shift from Arcalís to Rialp valleys, and Canillo's herd movement from Bordes d'Envalira to sunnier slopes.

Suited for hikers, trail runners, families and casual walkers, the path includes staffed refuges at Juclar in Andorra and Rhules in France.

Andorran partners involved the government, Canillo parish council, Andorran Farmers and Livestock Breeders Association, Andorra Turisme and the School of Sports and Mountain Professions Training. French contributors were Ariège's Conseil Départemental, Haute Ariège Community of Communes, Chambre d'Agriculture and Ariège Tourism Agency. Andorra Turisme and Ariège Tourism Agency are now collaborating on promotion.

The Andorran side opened on 18 October 2024 during Andorra-Occitanie cross-border dialogue sessions, with Saturday's gathering completing the trail's full institutional launch.