Overview
Discover the Catalan Pyrenees whilst snowshoeing in this undiscovered beauty.
The Catalan Pyrenees provide a dramatic setting for snowshoeing, far away
from the more frequented routes. During our stay in the traditional Spanish
villageof Rialp we experience the beauty and tranquillity of the Pallars
Sobira` region, as well as its cultural heritage. Walks through ancient
forests, across valleys and through tiny forgotten villages are complemented
by the visit to a local producerof cheese. All this surrounded by soaring
peaks and extraordinary views in the company of an expert local guide.
Highlights
* Snowshoe the valleys and forests of Pallars Sobira
* Walk up to high passes of the Aiguestortes National Park
* Learn about cheese and wool production, enjoy wine tasting
* Visit and stay in remote mountain villages
Itinerary
Day 1
Fly to Barcelona; transfer to Rialp (approx. 3 hours)
Fly to Barcelona; transfer to Rialp (approx. 3 hours).
Rialp is a small village set at 725m altitude, with only 629 full time
residents.
*Hotel Victor or similar*
Day 2
Snowshoe the Santa Magdalena valley; informative afternoon session about the
Pyrenees.
A 10 minute transfer takes us to our start point, where Ron and Port-Ain
ski resort are linked, for a day exploring the Santa Magdalena Valley.
Crossing deep forests and ridges we admire some of the highest peaks of
Catalonia.
The day finishes with a transfer back to our hotel (approx 20 mins), where
our guide will provide you with more information about the Pyrenees area. For
instance you will hear about Trvia a village destroyed during the
Spanish Civil War, where the last Cathar was arrested. There will be time to
explore this village on the following day.
Distance: 6km/ Elevation gain: 450m/ Duration: 5 hours including breaks.
*Hotel Victor or similar*
Day 3
Explore the La Coma Valley, crossing remote villages and through the deep
forests of Les Bordes de Burg; visit local cheese producer.
The scenic village of Farrera is just a 30 minute transfer and is a great
location to begin our walk. Today our route takes us through the La Coma
Valley. Here we find numerous ‘bordes’ or shepherd’s huts, used to keep
cattle and store feed. Traversing first deep forests, we pass through two
small villages – Farrera and Burg, both of which have fewer than 100
inhabitants. This insight into a traditional way of life in the remote
countryside is what makes this walk memorable.
After the walk we transfer back to the Hotel. We will have time for a shower
and a deserved rest before visiting a cheese producer, located in Rialp. We
will have the opportunity to hear stories about how their products are made
and of course try some of them, accompanied with traditional wines of
Catalonia.
Distance: 8km/ Elevation gain: 550m/ Duration: 6 hours including breaks.
*Hotel Victor or similar*
Day 4
Walk in the Espot mountains, wine tasting at the hotel.
For the third snowshoe walk of the week we will be in the Espot mountains.
Our aim is to reach the Rossell peak (2007m) located on the ridge between the
Espot and the Escart valleys. The views from the summit are certainly worth
the effort!Our path takes us through El Forcall, a forest of an outstanding
beauty, where dwarf mountain pines and silver birches will lead our way. On
the ground we can see alpenrose and common bearberry, along with juniper in
the sunniest parts.
The day finishes with a transfer back to our hotel (approx 20 mins) where we
will have the opportunity to taste some of the local produce, including
cheese and sausages from the Pallars Sobir region, accompanied with wine
from the south of Catalonia.
Distance: 12km/ Elevation gain: 500m/ Duration: 5-6 hours including breaks.
*Hotel Victor or similar*
Day 5
Free day for relaxation or optional activities such as skiing, visiting the
Romanesque village of Son or taking a local bus to surrounding villages of
Esterri dneu or Sort.
After breakfast the rest of the day is free to relax, explore Rialp, visit
Son, a village home of a remarkable Romanesque church, or head to the nearby
ski resort. Rialp is well connected to Sort and Esterri dneu thanks to
local bus lines.
in Esterri dneu you can find an interesting eco museum, set up in 1994
to promote the ecoconservation in the area while in Sort you have the
opportunity to visit a museum called The Freedom Trail. It illustrates the
story of thousands of people (Jewish, British airplane pilots for instance)
who escaped from the Fascist regime during the World War II by crossing the
Pyrenees.
Your leader will be able to advise you of your options of how best to spend
your free day.
*Hotel Victor or similar*
Day 6
Transfer to Planes de Son, on to Aiguestortes National park, pass Pla de la
Font hut to Fogueruix Pass (2110m).
After breakfast we head off to Planes de Son, our starting point today,
passing by Son, a nearby village at 1390m famous for its Romanesque bell
tower.
On our way to the Fogueruix Pass at 2110m, we get into the Aigestortes
National park and can stop at the Pla de la Font mountain hut and crane our
necks at some of the highest peaks in the area that tower above us. The pass
itself lies between the Son Valley and the Espot valley. We descend via
another route back down to the Planes de Son.
Distance: 11.5km/ Elevation gain: 690m/ Duration: 7 hours including breaks.
*Hotel Victor or similar*
Day 7
Circular walk across Port-Ain forest and Orri peak summit (2439m).
Today, our circular walk will take us to the summit of Torreta de lOrri
(2439m), a peak located at the top of the Port-Ain ski resort. It
represents the highest point we will reach during the week and from here we
will be rewarded by breathtaking views of Catalonia, and of the other peaks
of the Pyrenees.
After having taken some moments to admire the beauty of the area we will
follow a crest line to then continue into a dwarf-mountain pine forest called
Duc.
NOTE: Depending on weather and snow conditions this loop can be shortened to
9km and the elevation gain will be 371m.
Distance: 14.5km/ Elevation gain: 480m/ Duration: 7 hours including breaks
*Hotel Victor or similar*
Day 8
Transfer to Barcelona; fly to London.
Transfer to Barcelona; fly to London.
