Paseos a caballo, un clásico del verano aranés

The Escuela de equitación de la Val d’Aran offers all kinds of activities for horse lovers.

Located in Vielha, in addition to being a learning center, it is a dynamic area of this sport in the valley, offering various possibilities adapted to all levels.

• Horseback riding trips for 1, 2 or 3 hours. For expert horsemen or for beginners without level.
• One and two day trips and routes
• Pony walks on the Pla de Beret and Vielha
• Summer courses
• Pupilage of horses

In summer, touring the valley on horseback can become one of the most enjoyable experiences: from horseback riding when nature is displayed in all its splendor, to the quiet walks that allow you to know the Aranese villages.

7 August, 2017 Sin categoría, News, Blog, Present 0

Theatrical visits in Joanchiquet ecomuseum

 

The Joanchiquet de Vilamòs ecomuseum has launched this year a program of theatrical visits that will take place on 26 July, 9 and 23 August and 6 September with two daily sessions.

At 13 o’clock, “Joanchiquet, tanto gusto!”, Culinary thematic, ends with a tasting of Aranese pot on the part of the assistants, product offered by the Marca de Garantía, in collaboration with Torisme de Val d’Aran. The second session, at 18 hours, is titled “Vajilla de plata, cencerro de vaca“, and consists of a walk through the lively house with the stories of the Rufina.

Rufina Monge, the protagonist, is a real inhabitant of the house between the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Through its interpretation, the visitor will be able to see first hand the traditional Aranese heritage, the customs of the time and the stories that hide this interesting building.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at the reception of the Museum of the Val d’Aran and the same day at the Ecomuseum of Joanchiquet de Vilamòs and are priced at € 5.

25 July, 2017 News, Blog, Present 0

Artiga de Lin train

For the second consecutive year, the Consèlh Generau d’Aran has started the train of Artiga de Lin, which will begin its service on Saturday 22 July and end on 10 September.
The schedule of the three is from 9:00 to 18:00 from Monday to Sunday and leaves from the same parking area with permanent service.

20 July, 2017 News 0

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.

10 July, 2017 News, Blog, Present, Hiking 0

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.

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.

  • Location: Valle del Torán, Canejan

  • Height: 1050 m.

  • 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.

  • Capacity: 30

  • Services: Electric light, wifi, locker for material, bathrooms and showers with hot water, living room with fireplace, emergency radio, bar and meals.

  • Routes from the shelter: Paseo por el corazón del Torán, Por caminos de mineros y contrabandistas, Tuc de Betlan

  • Contacto. http://refugiohoneria.com/

5 July, 2017 News, Blog, Present, Monographic, Hiking 0

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

 

Program of Hèstes de Sant Joan de Les

20 June, 2017 News, Blog, Present 0

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/
15 June, 2017 News, Blog, Monographic, Hiking 0

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.

6 June, 2017 News, Blog, Present 0

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.

Trail Carlac 2017

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.

Registration:

23 May, 2017 News, Blog, Present 0