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The Val d'Aran embellish the territory to receive summer visitors
The paths and trails of the Val d’Aran are practically ready to be enjoyed by the hikers who visit the valley this summer.
The Consèlh Generau has set up a brigade for sanitation of the nearly one hundred kilometers of trails that form part of the historic network of hiking and mountain biking trails in the Val d’Aran.
The works include the cleaning and repair of the roads, as well as of its margins and stone walls if necessary and will be extended until the middle of July.
The works, carried out by a team of twenty people, have been planned according to the needs of the various sporting events that take place in the valley (walks, races, rallies, etc.), to their destiny towards the hermitages or “santets”, and the use of the inhabitants of the Val d’Aran.
The specialists of the Consèlh Generau have finished yet the works in the paths:
- Bassa d’Arres y guardader d’Arres.
- Camino de Mont – Moncorbau
- Camino de Mont – Vilac
- Camino Pont d’Arròs – Begòs
- Camino de Vilamòs a la iglesia de Sant Miquèu
- Camino de Ribèra de Mont – Salient
- Camino de Vilamòs – Begòs.
- Camino de Pradets a pasarela del Refugi de la Honeria
- Camino de pista Saubaga a Bossòst.
- Camino de Vilamòs – Benòs
- Camino de la Beusa, Gausac
- Camino de Arró – Vilamòs. Mejoras en la pavimentación
Paving Improvements
On another hand, last week the works of paving with bituminous mixture in hot were carried out Es Bòrdes crossing, as well as works of improvement of the firm and road safety in the highway of Benós-Begós. In addition to facilitating mobility in the face of greater influx of visitors in summer, these rehabilitations lead to an improvement in the quality of life and safety for the residents of these towns.
Works in the Sanctuary of Montgarri
FFinally, it is worth mentioning the rehabilitation and improvement actions in the church of Nuestra Señora de Montgarri carried out by the Consèlh Generau. The works will improve the pavement to eliminate architectural barriers and will facilitate access to the church choir, leaving the Romanesque portico free of entrance to the church before the north facade. Also, various elements will be relocated to provide a better view of it to visitors.
Camino de Santiago by the Val d’Aran
With the same intention to promote hiking in the Val d’Aran, the Consèlh together with the Regional Council of Alta Ribagorça agreed last week to create a new tourist route, “Aran-Pyrenees”. The route intends to recover the Way of Santiago that unites Saint Bertrand de Comminges and Berbegal in Huesca, which has an important part of route in the Val d’Aran.
This new tourist product will encompass diverse territories: France, the Val d’Aran, Alta Ribagorça and the Ribagorza Aragonese. It has been also expressed the desire to join the Federación Española de Asociaciones de Amigos del Camino de Santiago as it can be an important channel for the promotion of this new tourist route.
Mountain shelters of the Val d’Aran
Conangles and Era Honería are the two cozy mountain shelters owned by the Consèlh Generau d’Aran.
They are located in areas of great scenic beauty and easily accessible, from which you can carry out beautiful excursions and routes of medium and low difficulty to know the surroundings.
Conangles
Owned by the Consèlh d’Aran, the refuge is located at the foot of the river Noguera Ribagorzana on its left bank. From the refuge two interesting itineraries leave, one of which towards the waterfall and the ‘estanys’ of Besiberri. The other path climbs above the Hospital de Vielha, dividing towards the valley of Molières, in the southwest direction, and towards the Port of Rius, in the north direction.
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Location: 1.2 km from the south entry of the Vielha tunnel.
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Height: 1.555 m.
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Access: N-230 Lleida-Vielha Km. 150, by a track located in the large truck parking.
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Capacity: 36
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Services: WC, hot shower, blankets, radio station connected to the Mountain Rescue Group dels Pompièrs d’Aran, food and beverages, electric power by generator, lockers with key, rent of sheet-bag.
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Routes from the refuge: Bosque de Conangles, route Molières-Conangles, Tuc des Estanhets, Val de Molières, Vuelta por el valle de Conangles.
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Contact: https://www.visitvaldaran.com/item/refugi-conangles-2/
Era Honería
Owned by the Consèlh Generau d’Aran, the refuge is located at the head of the Toran Valley at 1050 m altitude. It belongs to the municipality of Canejan. The nearest town is Sant Joan de Toran at 1200 m distance. Open all year round, it allows the realization of all types of activities: hiking, classic or ice climbing, snowshoe excursions, ferrata routes, nature trips, excursions and crossings, mountain skiing and ridges.
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Location: Valle del Torán, Canejan -
Height: 1050 m.
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Access: N230 to Pontaut. Take direction Canejan, and once arrived at this detour, continue until the deviation of San Joan de Torán. At this point continue 300 m. More along the paved road.
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Capacity: 30
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Services: Electric light, wifi, locker for material, bathrooms and showers with hot water, living room with fireplace, emergency radio, bar and meals.
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Routes from the shelter: Paseo por el corazón del Torán, Por caminos de mineros y contrabandistas, Tuc de Betlan
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Contacto. http://refugiohoneria.com/
Hèstes deth huec 2017
The magic of the fire returns by San Juan to the Val d’Aran
On the eve of Saint John the magic of the fire returns to Les and Arties, the villages of the valley that preserve this ancient tradition so rooted in the Pyrenees. Thanks to its designation by Unesco as an Intangible Heritage of Humanity, Hèstes deth huec 2017 have become one of the main attractions of the Aranese summer, and it is anticipated that the valley will occupy more than 80% next weekend.
For the Tourism and Economic Development Council of Aran, Anna Diaz, “it is a very endearing and popular tradition in which all the inhabitants of the town and also the visitors who are in Val d’Aran at these dates are involved. For this reason they are a great cultural and tourist attraction “.
Between legend and tradition
Both in Les and Arties, it survives the tradition of burning a fir trunk in the longest night of the year (the summer solstice night, on Saint John’s eve). It is a thousand-year-old tradition, which was Christianized however its origins come from a Celtic tradition.
Nonetheless, the Celtic tradition tells that burning the Taro or Haro fertilizes the mother Earth, so that good crops are foreseen.
Crèma deth Taro d’Arties
On Saint John’s night, the taro sets alight and dragged through the streets and squares of Arties, accompanied by music and the cheers of the audience on a until the first hours of the morning and let them just in front of the mayor’s house.
According to tradition, the ashes of taro protected, purified and fertilized, so they are scattered all over town to make evil spirits go away.
Find more about the Origin and development of ritual
Eth Haro de Les
In Les the stage of the ritual is the Plaça deth Haro, where about 10 pm the procession reaches the rhythm of traditional dances is Corbilhuèrs Les. After the blessing and lighting of haro by the local priest, we proceed to burn the halhes, a kind of torches made of cherry bark that are spun in circles and simulating the struggle to purify and burn the evil spirits. The ceremony ends with a dance around the haro, while is served the “vin caud” hot wine with sugar, rum and fruit that is takent with the traditional coca de Sant Joan.
Find more about the Origin and development of ritual
High mountain shelters of the Val d'Aran
Exceptional views, all kinds of activities and adapted services
Colomers, Restanca and Saboredo, the high mountain shelters of the Val d’Aran are robust constructions owned by the Consèlh Generau. From there you can access the most inhospitable and beautiful places of the valley, and you can carry out all kind of high mountain activities, from snow in winter to hiking and climbing in summer. All of them have services adapted to the needs of the hikers, so they only have to worry about enjoying this unforgettable experience.
Colomers
Owned by the Consèlh d’Aran, the refuge is located within the peripheral area of the Parc National d’Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici, near the town of Salardú. Both in summer and in winter from there can be practiced various activities: ascents, itineraries on foot, climbing, skiing, snow channels or snowshoes. In addition, Colomers is part of the great route Carros de Foc.
In winter, the road is open to the car park behind the restaurant Eth Cerèr de Montadí. From June 15 to September 15 you are obliged to leave the car in the parking lot of Banhs de Tredòs, 8 km from Salardú. (2 hours walk to the shelter)
- Location: On the left side of the Colomers Lake.
- Height: 2.135m
- Access: From Salardú, asphalt forest trail to the Tredòs Bahns car park (7 km), then continue on foot or by taxi (season) to the junction (approx 1 hour on foot) and 30 minutes to the shelter by footpath.
- Capacity: 60 sleeping places, distributed in 5 rooms with bunk beds, mattresses and blankets.
- Services: food and drink, WC and shower with cold water, electricity with solar panels, emergency station and mountain guide.
- Contact: http://refugicolomers.com/es/
Restanca
Owned by the Consèlh Generau d’Aran, it is part of the municipality of Naut Aran and its nearest town is Arties. The shelter is run by the guard Josep Mohedano and his team, who provide service and information necessary to enjoy the mountain during the winter and summer seasons. From Restanca you can practice climbing, mountain skiing and various walking itineraries of different length.
- Location: On the right side of the lake of Restanca. Inside the Parc Nacional d’Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici.
- Height: 2010 m.
- Access: From the Arties village, take the asphalted forest trail through the Vall de Valarties to the Pont de Ressec parking. Walk for 2 hours to the shelter.
- Capacity: 80 seats in bunk beds, with mattress and blankets, distributed in 6 rooms
- Services: WC and showers of hot water, food and drink, connection with taxi service, radio connection with mountain rescue group of Pompiers d’Aran.
- Contact. Https://www.restanca.com/
Saboredo
Owned by the Conselh Generau d’Aran, the Saboredo refuge is located within the peripheral protection zone of the Parc National d’Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici. An authentic mountain refuge built in stone and surrounded by trees, in a spectacular setting overlooking the Saboredo circus on one side and the Baqueira Beret massif and the Mauberme on the other.
- Location: By the lake of Baish in Val de Ruda
- Height: 2310m
- Access: By the road from Baqueira to the Bonaigua port. Rising from Vielha, a few meters past Baqueira, on the right is a junction with a sign indicating the refuge Saborèdo.
- Capacity: 28 beds
- Services: Food and drink, WC, hot shower, blankets and mattresses, emergency radio.
- Contact: https://www.visitvaldaran.com/item/refugi-saboredo/
The Val d'Aran with Òscar Cadiach on his ascent to the Broad Peak
The Aranese government ratified last week its support to the alpinist to complete his 14th 8000.
The Síndic d’Aran, Carlos Barrera, and the conselhèra de Torisme e Desenvolupament Econòmic d’Aran, Anna Díaz, received the Catalan alpinist Òscar Cadiach last week. The Aranese government ratified the sponsorship of the next expedition from Tarragona to Broad Peak (8,047 m). Cadiach can become the first Catalan to complete the 14 principal eight thousand of the world without using artificial oxygen.
The alpinist, with house in Vilamòs (Val d’Aran) will re-attempt the Broad Peak during the months of June, July and August. Cadiach will carry the emblems of the Conselh Generau d’Aran to the summit of this eight thousand of the Karakorum and the whole corporate image of “Val d’Aran, era essència des Pirinèus” in the expedition clothing, which can take about 50 days.
The Val d’Aran, high mountain destination
In addition to carrying the emblems of the Val d’Aran, on the return of Broad the climber will encourage the route to Aneto by the Aranian slope, which has more and more fans. The support of Cadiach, aims to strengthen the link of the Val d’Aran with the high mountains.
Trail Carlac 2017, three days and five races
One of the most beautiful environments for trail running, the Baish Aran, will host from 16 to 18 June 2016 the Trail Carlac, a racing career with five tests developed in the area of Quate Lòcs (Bausen, Bossòst, Canejan y Les) in the Val d’Aran, one of them at night.
The Trail Carlac, which celebrates its fourth edition this year, seeks to recover ancient courses in order to establish a base camp for all racing fans mountain and revitalize this still unspoiled area and its people, making known the Aranese territory and its culture and heritage.
Carlac forest, which gives its name to the race, is a lush ancient beech forest that surrounds the idyllic village of Bausen. Moreover, the different tests go through the castle Les Pijoèrt, defence tower of the eleventh century used by the Baron of Les, declared a cultural monument of national interest. Artisanal trophies are differentiated for the three tests, each representing an important element of culture and tradition of the area.
Trail Carlac 2017 races
Friday 16th
Sprint vertical. 1,3 Km.
Saturday 17th
Montlude Skyrace. 26,3 km.
Diumenge 18th
Vila de les: 9,4 km.
Bosc de Carlac: 19,2 km.
Marató Quate lòcs: 43,3 Km.
Challenge. It is the sum of the time of the 3 races to be held over 3 consecutive days: Sprint Vertical Night, Trail Quate Lòcs y Trail deth Montlude. The winner of the Challenge will be the rider who have less time in total 3 races.
Bike classics in the la Val d’Aran next summer
Discover the nature by bike is one of the most intense experiences that we can enjoy in the Val d’Aran. In the microsite,
Era Roda Non Stop 2017
Next July 23 takes place the second edition of this test, that passes entirely by the Val d’Aran. Era Roda Non Stop webEra Roda Non Stop offers an excellent opportunity to meet an environment of spectacular landscapes, lush forests, rivers and waterfalls, from the biker perspective. Era Roda Non Stop is 140 km of pure mountain bike and a positive vertical slope of 5200m, one of the hardest Btt races of the Pyrenees. All the information in the web de Era Roda Non Stop.
Pedals de Foc Non Stop 2017
The 12th edition of the PDF Non Stop a raid starting and finishing at the Val d’Aran, hosts for the second consecutive year the Championship of Spain of MTB Ultramarathon. With a individual participation and a distance of nearly 220 kilometres and 6,200 metres positive, the test which will be held from 17 to June 19, has become an international referent in the marches in its class, for its hardness and beauty. Pedals de Foc Non Stop.
The North Face Enduro Series
From last May 5th are already opened the applications for The North Face Enduro Race, the popular Enduro MTB race, organized in collaboration with the Centre BTT dera Val d’Aran.
The test, disputed by paths and roads in which each participant fight against the chronometer individually, has several special stages (TC) linked by feeder lines (TE or SE) with closed times. The special stages are individual and mostly downhill. The participant who obtains the least amount of time in the special stage times and fewer penalties will be proclaimed winner. The North Face Enduro Series.
Campilaro 2017
Vielha, capital of the Val d’Aran, will host a stage of the third edition of Campilaro to be held from 23 to 25 July 2017. The cycling route that crosses the heart of the Pyrenees proposes a total of 330 kilometers and 8,300 meters positive slope. Campilaro 2017 will consist of four stages of medium and high mountain with three cities stage: Saint-Lary Soulan, Luchon and Vielha (Val d’Aran). More information about Campilaro 2017.
Aran Total Bike, linked to the website of Torisme dera Val d’Aran is centralized all the information on mountain biking, cycling, DH and enduro, with routes of different levels, cycling events, news and specialized companies of the valley.
First acts of the fireworks in Les and Arties
The first of the great acts of the Hèsta deth huec (fire festival) of Les, the Shasclada deth haro, will take place next Saturday 13 of May.
In the middle of the morning the baishada deth tronc (descent of the trunk) will begin. The men of the village descend from the forest el haro, a stump of spruce wood from 10 to 12 meters and they enter it in arms to the place of the locality, precisely baptized the name of Plaça deth Haro.
As it passes by the bridge of the river Garonne, the entourage makes some stops and the establishments that are in the route offer to the carriers a drink of sweet wine and typical pastas of Aran.
The Aranese village will celebrate a popular lunch at noon, after which the Shasclada will begin. In the same square will be arranged the trestles to debark the trunk and open it, with wedges nailed to blow of mallo to dry well and can be burned during the night of San Juan, on June 24.
Meanwhile, the public can participate in various workshops to create decorative halhes, and typical Arian dances. The party will end with a folk concert.
Taro carving
The second weekend of May Arties also celebrates the Carving of the taro. On Sunday morning an expedition of this town cuts the trunk and takes it to the square to prepare it for his burning during the night of San Juan.
Mirador del Aneto, the new family route
Tour del Aneto has launched this season a variant of the route, Mirador del Aneto, a smoother route, especially suitable for family.
Mirador del Aneto introduces the Artiga de Lin, within the routes to Aneto, and the Coth de Baretja, one of the best viewpoints of the Aneto-Maladeta massif. The 3-day route can be carried out from the beginning of May until the end of October.
The tour consists of three stages. The first one leaves the Artiga de Lin to the Hospice de France. The second from the Hospice de France to Bossost by the Coth de Baretja and the third from Bossost to Vielha by the Cami Reiau. In addition, this last stage can be shortened with the Bus Intervalle. The three stages can be done in two, three or four days.
Due to its smaller course and softer slopes, the new modality of the Tour of the Aneto, is directed especially to those that begin in the crossing and the families. In addition, with stages of maximum 5 hours, it allows to have more free time, so it includes other complementary proposals of culture, nature, shopping or sport activities.
All information about travel and reservations about Mirador del Aneto.
Campilaro 2017. Val d'Aran stage of the cycling route
Vielha, capital of the Val d’Aran, will host a stage of the third edition of Campilaro to be held from 23 to 25 July 2017.
The cycling route that crosses the heart of the Pyrenees proposes a total of 330 kilometers and 8,300 meters positive slope. Campilaro 2017 will consist of four stages of medium and high mountain with three cities stage: Saint-Lary Soulan, Luchon and Vielha (Val d’Aran).
The route invites you to visit legendary roads that saw the Tour and the Vuelta pass and to discover the exceptional places and landscapes that hide the Pyrenees. This edition offers a new format more open, more affordable at a sportive and economic level, aiming to reconcile the passion for cycling and holiday tourism.
The Pyrenees will be the DNA of the route, with high mountain climbs such Port de Balès (1755 m), l’Hospice-de-France (1385 m), Superbagnères (1800 m), the Portilhon (1296 m), the Port de la Bonaigua (2072 m), the Peyresourde (1569 m) and the Azet (1580 m). The course of the Campilaro 2017 (http://www.campilaro.com/-profils-etapes-?lang=fr) is a circular with beginning and end in Saint-Lary Soulan.
Aranese stage
On Monday, July 24, Campilaro 2017 will reach the Val d’Aran from Luchon where it will travel 79.5 km. It will enter Aranese lands by the Colh deth Portilhon from where it will descend later to Bossòst.
From there it will cross the station of Baqueira-Beret to go to Port de la Bonaigua to end with the descent towards Vielha. On Tuesday 25 the participants will leave the Aranese capital and the Val d’Aran towards Saint-Lary Soulan.
Campilaro 2017 registrations
The registrations for Campilaro are open to all amateur cyclists, tourists and runners with or without a license since January 7, with a maximum limit of 198 participants. There are two modes of participation with the same benefits (individual registration and team registration of five cyclists) and three hosting packages.