What to see in the Aran Valley?

Located in the Catalan Pyrenees, an environment that offers many possibilities: cycling routes and downhill bikes, cultural activities, mountaineering, walks in an incredible place, adventure sports, walking routes, mountain, alpine, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, hydrotherapy, typical cuisine of the area...

We take care of every detail so that your stay at the Hotel Aran la Abuela and in the Aran Valley are as pleasant as possible. Ideal for your holidays at any time of the year: spring, summer, autumn and winter. Each one of them, magical!

Here we leave you a plan for each day of the week.

Free from Monday to Saturday for the months of July and August.

What to see in the Aran Valley

The seven hermitages of Bossost and the Castle

Monday TOWNS

Difficulty: Medium

Distance: 6.5 km.

Positive elevation gain: +255 mts.

We begin the route following the Cledes path. After crossing the road to France,

We will begin the climb to Bossòst Castle located above the Rock of Casteràs, point

strategic defense of the Aran Valley, also visiting during this ascent, the ruins of

the Chapel of Saint Eulália, located at the entrance to the Bossòst Cave. Once inside the Castle,

We will begin the descent to the town, visiting the Hermitages of Sant Joan Crisòstom during the descent.

i Sant Cerat. We continue our descent towards the Church of Santa Maria, a cultural asset of

of national interest from the 11th - 12th centuries and the best preserved in the valley. From this point and flat,

We will visit the three remaining hermitages; Chapel of the Virgin of Mercy, of San Roc and finally,

and next to the starting point, the San Fabian, thus ending the route.

Rivers and waterfalls Aran Valley

Tuesday WATERFALLS

Possibility of four different excursions:

Salenques Valley, Mulheres Valley, Conangles Valley or the Bessiberri Valley.

We will follow the course of the upper part of the river with waterfalls and magical beech forests.

Difficulty: Easy / Medium

Rivers to swim Aran Valley

Wednesday ATLANTIC FORESTS

Two possibilities depending on the level of the group:

- Centenary beech forest in the Torán Valley:

Difficulty: Low

Route: 5 km

Positive elevation: +180 mts.

The Hayedo Centenario is a completely wooded area that is full of the

largest and oldest beech forests in the Val d'Aran, with enormous trees that reach

up to 500 years old. This dream forest located in the Torán Valley, is

perfect for performing the “Forest Bathing” therapy, known as Shinrin-Yoku in

Japan. A practice in which all our senses are immersed in the atmosphere of

forest to relax and enjoy the positive benefits for health and well-being.



- From Les to Bausen on a circular route - New Route 2025

Difficulty: low – medium

Distance: 8.2 km

Positive elevation: +300 mts.

Starting from the Lana bridge, we will begin our climb towards the town of Bausen,

following a historic trail. As we ascend, we will enjoy the charm

from this small town with its stone houses and traditional essence. From Bausen,

We will take the road back to Les along the top of the mountain between beech and

old borders until going down again to the town of Les, passing by the Baron's house and

the Hot Springs.

Meadow with cows Aran Valley

Thursday MINING VALLEYS - RIO ROJO

Difficulty: High

Distance: 7.2 km

Positive elevation gain: +425 mts.

The route begins at the Borda de la Lana in the Unhola River Valley, also known as the Red River.

due to its characteristic color. We will ascend a path until we reach the track that

leads to the Varradós pass, passing through the remodeled Moredo Cabin. From this point onwards

point and, following new paths through the Plan de Moredo, we will reach the Red River of

Hello. Following a trail with some technical steps secured with ropes and following

the course of the river will return us to the starting point.

High mountain river Aran Valley

Friday HIGH MOUNTAIN LAKES

Two options:

- Llauset Lakes:

Difficulty: medium-high or high.

This excursion takes place through the Aneto Natural Park and offers impressive views.

of the Llauset lakes, surrounded by the highest peaks of the Pyrenees.

We will divide into two groups:

or 1st group: for the more adventurous, there is the possibility of climbing a peak of

2,470 meters and visit Estanyets, some lakes hidden in a corner

lonely.

or 2nd group: will climb more calmly and stop to contemplate the

lakes.

Both groups will meet at the Llauset Refuge, where a menu awaits us.

specially prepared for the group. After lunch, we'll return together to Vielha.

Route:

- Group 1: 6.5 km

- Group 1: 8 km

Positive gradient:

- Group 1: +350mts

- Group 1: +550 mts


- The Empress's Path: New Route 2025

Difficulty: low - medium

Route: 10.3 km

Positive elevation: +260 mts.

Designed especially for repeat people who have already done the one of the

Llauset Lakes. You'll have to talk to Miquel to find out when this will happen.

excursion since attendees must bring a picnic with food since there is no

shelter for a lunch stop.

We will start from the historic Hospice de France, beginning a linear route that will take us to

through ancient mountain paths steeped in history. We will ascend through the

on the way to Puerto de Benasque where we will quickly turn off towards the Camino

of the Empress and we will ascend very gently until we reach the Cirque de la Glére,

a natural glacial cirque surrounded by rugged mountains.

This route was made so that Empress Eugenia de Montijo, wife of Napoleon III,

could visit the Glére glacial cirque and enjoy its impressive waterfalls.

From there, we will begin the descent towards the road, passing by the spectacular

Malaplatte waterfall. Finally, we continue on our way.

to the Joeu meadow, the final point of our route, where the vehicles await us after

a day full of unforgettable landscapes and the magic of the Pyrenees.



Hiking with views of the Aran Valley

SATURDAY: PALA SARRAHÈRA

Difficulty: low

Distance: 7.7 km

Positive elevation: +280 mts.

Starting from the northern entrance of the Vielha tunnel, we enter what until the 1940s

It was the access road to the Val d'Aran from Ribagorza. We will pass by the Deth Pontet cabin.

and then follow the path through majestic fir forests that will lead us to the Sarahèra Valley

and to the Sarrahèra Cabin.

From there, we will enjoy the impressive views of these limestone mountains, forests of

fir trees and rock walls, then continue descending towards the valley and returning to the point of

departure.

ACTIVITIES

ACTIVITIES

TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT

✓ We recommend bringing a picnic on all excursions.

✓ You must wear appropriate footwear, comfortable clothing, a small backpack with food and

drink, raincoat, cap, sunglasses and sunscreen, if possible, with products

natural.

✓ Transfers will be made in private vehicles.

✓ Excursions are subject to change due to unforeseen events, weather conditions and

at the discretion of the guide.

✓ Maximum respect for the natural environment and animals.



Spas, museums, Romanesque architecture, adventure activities, trekking, family outings, lakes, mountain biking routes, 4x4 tours, via ferratas, cultural visits, and more. In our surrounding area, you can enjoy activities related to skiing, snowmobiling, heli-skiing, snow sledding, and snowshoeing. In addition, you can find a wide range of leisure and culinary offerings around the Hotel Aran La Abuela, featuring typical products from the Aran Valley.

This wide range of leisure, nature, and cultural activities makes the Aran Valley an ideal setting for all those who want to visit, including families with children, athletes, nature lovers, food lovers, culture lovers, motorcyclists, cyclists, and more.

CULTURE

CULTURE

In the Aran Valley you will find a great concentration of churches and sanctuaries, perhaps the largest in the Pyrenees. Churches such as San Miguel de Vielha, Era Mair de Dios de la Purificación de Bossost, the 12th-century church of Santa María de Artías or the sanctuary of Montgarri, nestled in the middle of the Aran Valley, are examples of the Romanesque culture found in this privileged setting.

You can also visit the various museums that will give you an insight into the ancient culture of the inhabitants of the Vall d'Aran. Fabrica Dera Lan (wool factory), Ethnological Museum of the Val d'Aran, PyrenMuseu, El Corrau Museum, Snow Museum, Lo de Joanchiquet Ecomuseum, among others.

The traditional fairs and festivals in the different villages of Val d'Aran, which have existed since time immemorial, and the traditional Aranese dances are also typical. Festivals such as Eth Haro in Les and Eth Taro in Arties, which culminate at the summer solstice with the burning of a fir tree trunk.

The burning of the trunk of a fir tree as an act of request for the purification of the earth is still intact and is a faithful reminder of what life was like in the valley centuries ago.

Nature

Nature

Val d'Aran is a natural environment with many kilometres of marked trails, large peaks and glacial lakes that will allow you to enjoy landscapes in the middle of nature.

There is a wide range of activities for families, children, people looking for simple, low-level activities or for nature lovers of a certain level who want to enjoy more technical routes and activities of greater difficulty.

Among the mountain and multi-adventure activities that can be practised, we can mention

SUMMER ACTIVITIES

- Excursions to Romanesque villages

- Visit to the zinc mines

- Mountain biking / BTT

- Hiking / Trekking

- Canyoning

- Rafting

- Multi-adventure

- Horse riding

- Aerial activities: paragliding, light aircraft

- Photographic safari / Flora and fauna

- Quad biking

- 4x4 routes

- Via ferratas

- Canyoning

- Kayaking

- Hydrospeed

- Canoeing

- Climbing

- Trekking

For families, children and the elderly, there are a multitude of tours and excursions. Some of them can be done with your own vehicle.

Visit the village of Montgarri, visit the Uelhs deth Joeu (source of the Jewish river and waterfall), visit the Saut deth Pish, Aran Park (animal park), the Aran Valley Adventure Park (ideal for parents and children), walk along the paths and roads that cross the various villages of the Vall d'Aran.

Find out about the specialised agencies in the area.

Gastronomy

Gastronomy

Another of the great attractions of La Vall d'Aran is its great gastronomic culture.

Traditional dishes such as "olha aranesa", homemade pâtés and cheeses, game stews, typical "crespets" or nacarii of sturgeon and caviar (made in the Vall d'Aran) are some of the dishes that visitors will find in the many restaurants in the area specialising in Aranese cuisine.

There are also many shops where you can buy typical and artisanal products such as homemade pâtés, salami, artisanal cheeses, jams and typical liqueurs such as nodos water (walnut liqueur) or artisanal beer brewed in the Vall d'Aran.

A visit to the facilities where nacarii caviar is made is a must. Here you can learn first-hand all the secrets of caviar and sturgeon meat.

Relax

Relax

For visitors looking for a few days of relaxation, the Val d'Aran offers the possibility of immersing themselves in sulphurous waters as the Romans did, in the middle of nature, and benefiting from their mineral-medicinal properties.

You can enjoy these benefits at the Termes de la Baronia thermal baths in the village of Les, at the Arties thermal baths and at the Tredòs thermal baths, located on the banks of the Aiguamoig river, on the edge of the Aigüestortes National Park, which, at 1,740 metres, is the highest thermal spa in Europe.

Ski and snow

Ski and snow

WINTER ACTIVITIES

- Special activity programme for trainees

- Special Christmas activities (classical music concerts, torchlight walks...)

- Snowshoeing excursions

- Roman route in the Val d'Aran

- Dog sledding excursions

- Horse-drawn sleigh rides and excursions.

- Heli-skiing and panoramic helicopter flights

- Snowmobile tours

- Igloo building

- And much more...

Enjoy one of the best ski resorts in the country. The Baqueira-Beret resort, located in the same valley, is a privileged area due to the quality of its snow. Its northern orientation, climate and the maintenance of its slopes favour a better quality and quantity of snow and its maintenance for a longer period.

The resort of Baqueira-Beret offers different types of slopes that allow the practice of alpine skiing and snowboarding at all levels, from the most inexperienced beginner to those who have a good style and only use the red and black slopes.

In Vall d'Aran skiers will find a good number of schools and specialised instructors for all types of students, even for those with special needs, such as disabilities, as well as instructors who speak different foreign languages.

In Vall d'Aran you can enjoy other winter activities related to snow:

- Dog sledding excursions

- Snowmobile tours

- Snowshoeing excursions

- Heli-skiing

And other activities that can be carried out either independently or by contracting the various agencies specialising in the different activities.

Cycling

Cycling

Cycling will become your great ally if you want to get to know the Aran Valley in depth and enjoy nature. You can enjoy mountain roads and signposted routes, rides along the river or through the valley's villages, or technical descents through the dense forests.

If you love the road, you can access epic mountain passes that have been the scene of great competitions such as the Tour de France or the Tour of Spain.

Exterior facade Hotel Aran la Abuela Vielha Spain
Natural swimming pool waterfall Vielha Spain
Double bedroom king size bed Hotel Aran la Abuela Vielha
Restaurant Hotel Aran la Abuela Vielha
Waterfall nature Vielha Vall d'Aran Spain
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