In less than a week, the resort has hosted two of August’s major astronomical phenomena, also coinciding with the peak of the Perseids
Ordino Arcalís has experienced a week marked by astronomy. After the singular phenomenon of the Solar Mountain, visible on 7 and 8 August at the Pic d’Arcalís, the resort turned its gaze again last night to the sky for the 12 August solar eclipse, which could be seen partially from Andorra. Two exceptional events in less than a week that also coincided with the Perseids, one of the most anticipated meteor showers of the year, strengthening Ordino Arcalís’ link with discovery and the observation of natural phenomena in a privileged high-mountain setting.
To experience the eclipse, Ordino Arcalís organised a special experience at the Tristaina Solar Lookout, at 2,701 metres above sea level, where more than 250 people gathered to follow the evolution of the phenomenon. Participants reached the area via the Creussans chairlift and, accompanied by mountain guides from GMG and an interpretation guide from the Tristaina Solar Lookout, and equipped with certified glasses for solar observation, they shared an afternoon filled with anticipation in the face of one of the year’s major astronomical events. Cloud cover affected visibility, but it did not prevent the Solar Lookout from becoming an exceptional meeting point to experience the eclipse from one of the most emblematic spots in Ordino Arcalís.
From Andorra, the eclipse was partial and at around 20:27 came the culminating moment, with close to 99% of the Sun’s disc concealed by the Moon. Despite the cloudiness, the atmosphere at the Tristaina Solar Lookout was marked by the anticipation of those in attendance, who shared this singular experience in a high-mountain setting especially linked to observing the Sun.
The day continued with the exceptional opening of La Borda de la Coma, which offered a special dinner for participants who wanted to extend the evening on the mountain. A day dedicated to astronomy that still had one last spectacle in store during the early hours, coinciding with the peak activity of the Perseids.
An exceptional week to look at the sky
The eclipse came only a few days after the Solar Mountain phenomenon, which on 7 and 8 August occurred again at the Pic d’Arcalís. At around 07:37, the first rays of the sun passed for approximately three minutes through the mountain’s characteristic natural hole, in an alignment that occurs every summer and has become one of Ordino Arcalís’ natural singularities.
The astronomical sequence went even further. The night of the eclipse and the early hours of this Thursday coincided with the peak activity of the Perseids, the popular meteor shower that crosses the sky every August. In 2026, moreover, the coincidence with the new moon provided especially favourable conditions to observe them in places far from light pollution. Observations began from 23:00 on Wednesday, although the peak of the meteor shower was between 04:00 and 06:00 in the early hours of 13 August.
The succession of the Solar Mountain, the eclipse and the Perseids has made this beginning of August an exceptional opportunity to observe the sky from Ordino Arcalís. The altitude and natural surroundings of the resort offer a privileged setting to get closer to these phenomena and complement the usual mountain offer with experiences that connect nature, astronomy and the territory.