Valira

Valira is the principal river of Andorra, a mountainous alpine watercourse in the eastern Pyrenees. It is commonly known in its combined form as the Gran Valira, formed by the confluence of two headwaters: Valira d'Orient and Valira del Nord. The headwaters originate in the higher Pyrenees within Andorra. The Gran Valira traverses the Andorran valleys and passes through the capital Andorra la Vella and the spa town of Escaldes-Engordany before exiting the country and continuing into Spain, where it contributes to the Segre river basin. The river provides a crucial source of water for domestic use, irrigation, and hydroelectric generation in Andorra. Downstream, the river supports mountain river ecosystems with species typical of cold, fast-flowing waters such as brown trout. The Valira valley has hosted settlements since medieval times and has influenced the layout of Andorra’s towns and roads, as well as tourism and recreation along its banks. The Gran Valira ultimately joins the Segre river in Spain, contributing to the Ebro watershed.