The Tristaina Lakes are located in the extreme north west of Andorra close to the main Pyrenees divide. A dramatic trail provides a circular walk above the three lakes traversing steep grassy and rocky slopes.  The starting elevation of the trail is above 2200 m which means that alpine flowers are in view as soon as you start up the path. Within the first few hundred metres along the trail we spotted Androsace vandellii clinging to a dark rock outcrop.  A classic cushion plant, which only grows in rock fissures, Androsace vandellii has pure white flowers elegantly contrasting with the grey-green leaves. 

The trail continues up to a grassy saddle with a surprising variety of interesting flowers.  The pink flowers of Androsace laggeri light up the turf together with white Ranunculus pyreneaus and Gentiana pyrenaica, which has very distinctive dark blue flowers quite unlike any other in the genus. On the top of a small grassy knoll we were delighted to find Erythronium dens-canis still in flower (on June 25, 2007), although other plants nearby had already gone to seed.