Tor Mountain Co-Owners Clash Over Vehicle Access Limits Near Andorra

Tensions among co-owners of Tor mountain in Pallars Sobirà continue over efforts to restrict vehicle access on the unpaved track leading from the village toward Andorra's Port de Cabús.

A majority of owners supports limiting traffic to residents and authorised vehicles, citing the path's hazards and potential liability for accidents. The measure received backing from 10 owners at a late March board meeting, according to community sources. The track, connecting Tor to Alins and the Andorra border, attracts heavy summer use by motor vehicles and cyclists due to its rising popularity. Owners point to difficult unmade sections, a fatal cyclist fall about two years ago outside their property, and advice from the Consorci Forestal de Catalunya in Solsona to curb access. Several lawyers have also urged caution.

Signs prohibiting vehicles appeared at the Tor village exit toward Andorra and the Port de Cabús entry from Andorra, but they were removed shortly after installation. Community members claim Pablo Moreno, owner of Palanca house and an opponent of the restrictions, made death threats during the process. Moreno, who rarely attends board meetings, considers the existing signage sufficient: a notice 3.5km from Tor disclaims responsibility for physical or material damage on the private estate and track, while a second warns of a 10km/h speed limit, bans off-road driving, camping, and littering.

Opponents, including Moreno and Pili Tomàs of Casa Sisqueta, argue the new prohibition contradicts ancestors' efforts to keep the route open to Andorra and lacks consensus. Tomàs, who spends the most time in Tor and runs a business benefiting from passing traffic, described the action as unilateral and motivated by envy. She called for community funds to prioritise basic services like electricity and phone coverage rather than disputes, warning that closure would harm her establishment and others in Alins. Bar owner Roger Micàs in Alins echoed concerns that blocking the direct Andorra link would damage the entire Ferrera valley economy.

Moreno, who sees himself as a Tor resident, mocked the initiative with an ironic sign labelling it a "Terrorist Group High Mountain" alongside an Andorran flag and armed bear image. He suspects involvement from Alt Pirineu Natural Park officials seeking greater control and favours open access for responsible users respecting the environment. The board meets twice yearly, with access debates ongoing for about two years. No further official comment has emerged.