From the parking we’ll go towards the center of the village of Arties finding the tower and chapel of the Portolà stately home (17th century) one of whose members, Gaspar de Portolà, discovered and was the first California governor. Now the home is the Arties Parador.

Crossing the first bridge over the Garona River we will reach the village square. To the right the Ço de Paulet stands out as another beautiful example of noble architecture from epoch. Just after passing a second bridge this time over the Valarties River a tower from the wall which in times past surrounded the Santa Maria of Arties church. The church, built in the 12th and 13th centuries consitutes an authentic jewel much worth visiting. In its interior the Gothic altar from 15th century is worth mentioning and is dedicated to the Virgin. The Renaissance paintings that decorate the walls, especially the incredible Final Judgement on the vault.

Following towards the left we’ll leave the village along the Camino Real (Royal Path) to reach (in 20 min.) the thermal Baths. This natural spring of Arties with its sulphurous waters is nowadays not in use although there is a project to do so. Shortly afterwards, to the left, we’ll see an old lime kiln. The trail continues until arriving to the village of Garos where we will cross the Garona River on the old bridge and immediately will cross the C-28 highway (carefully!) and will go up street (like a ramp) which will lead us to the Garos square. This point is the halfway point of the route. It is worth going to the left to visit the church (Route “Escunhau-Casarilh-Garos”) and the Necropolis in the excavation phase. Up to this point the itinerary goes along the northern shady side with its abundant vegetation.

Once back to the Square we’ll continue along the streets of the schools following the white and red marks of the route until leaving Garos on the Carrer deth Solei street. At 10 minutes and to the left we’ll see a a vine plantation, something quite novel in the Val d’Aran. We’ll pass over the crossing of the trail that goes towards the Sant Jaime chapel – it takes 15 minutes to get there and back. The trail continues until reaching Arties at the Gothic style Sant Joan church and nowadays used as a temporary exposition room for the Museum of the Val d’Aran a short distance from the parking.

The trail can be done in both senses as it is circular and as a result we´ll pick the more convenient depending on the time and temperature.

Recommendations:

The Santa Maria church of Arties with its beautiful Romanesque architecture has been able to conserve a very important collection of diverse art styles which range from the 12th and 18th centuries.