Encamp Launches Process for Pessons Natural Park and Unveils Giant Bear Sculpture

Encamp has launched the administrative process to establish the Parc Natural dels Pessons, a long-discussed protected area aimed at bolstering both environmental conservation and tourism in the parish. Cònsol Major Laura Mas announced the move during Friday's inauguration of Petjades Enlairades, a giant bear sculpture at Solanelles, positioning it as a key step in highlighting the parish's unique natural and cultural assets.

The sculpture, created by Andorran artist Naiara Galdós, stands 3.2 metres tall and weighs nearly two tonnes. Installed at the 2,502-metre summit of the Funicamp cable car, it forms the centrepiece of a new family-friendly cultural route. Made from laser-cut iron treated to oxidise over time, the open structure draws on topographic map contours to blend with the mountain landscape, evoking the bear's strength and the freedom of high-altitude terrain. Galdós spent eight months on the project, including four on construction, following a design competition sparked by Encamp's first Youth Council.

Mas described the unveiling as a "special day" that links the parish's natural and cultural heritage. She credited the Youth Council for the idea, which seeks to pass traditions to younger generations, and noted the 2022 UNESCO recognition of Encamp's Ball de l’Ossa dance as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Tourism Councillor Verònica Solsona emphasised the bear as a "recognisable, photogenic symbol of identity" to draw families, with new merchandise like bear-themed water bottles reinforcing a unified narrative.

The initiative expands a network of 21 signposted emblematic sites—mostly peaks and lakes—that will grow annually, helping hikers identify locations. It ties into sustainable tourism blending culture and nature, in partnership with Grandvalira Resorts and SAETDE. A family route, Les Petjades de l’Ossa, launches Saturday with interactive activities leading to the sculpture, coinciding with the Funicamp's summer season.

The event drew senior officials, including Síndic General Carles Ensenyat, Culture Minister Mònica Bonell, and Finance Minister Ramón Lladós. Solsona confirmed the Pessons park procedures are advancing, expecting it to become a major draw alongside attractions like the sculpture and local wildlife viewing.