In the village of Arties the Valarties valley begins. Its green fields contrast with the coniferous forests and the imposing peak of Montardo. The itinerary is a introduction to hiking in the high mountain region between precipitous peaks, rock fields and lakes. It is part of the hike up the Montardo Mountain. You will hike through fir and black pine forests laden with intermittent berry bushes and red elders. Plants such as the rhododendron stand out with their red flowers at the beginning of the summer and the blackberry and raspberry bushes also flourish in this area. These are a favourite for the local fauna. The forests are full of animals such as the wild boar, the roe deer, fox and the marten. Outside of this area and at a higher altitude the most abundant animal is the chamois (a goat like animal). Next in number are the marmot and these are followed by the restless stoat or short tailed weasel.

Detailed Route:

Starting point is the Pontet de Rius passing by the cabin turn left following the GR-11 marks. The trail ascends an irregular path although well defined which sweeps through the thick forest of pine and fir trees. Upon reaching the top of the first ascent take the trail leading to the right and continue along progressively gaining altitude. The dam of the Restanca lake becomes visible once the forest opens up and you reach the lake itself. The Restanca refuge is on the other side of the dam (1). Behind the refuge you will see the steeps cliffs of Agulhes deth Montardo. The itinerary continues without crossing over the dam. The GR 211 goes to the right and goes over a small pass. The trail follows the base of the Tossal del Mar. There is a descent of about 100 meters to reach a small valley where you can see the exit point. You will hike along a small rock field still following the GR marks and you will traverse alongside the Raspes de Rius. Where the trail approaches the river leave the GR (2) to go to the right looking for the Barranc (ravine) de Rius. Cross the river on a large stone slab and continue along a trail at times well marked and other times covered with grass and flowers while descending the Rius Valley. Passing the Rius cabin the cairns (rock markers) are more visible taking you finally to the starting point.

Recommendations:

Take the time to reach the Mar Lake or the Cap deth Port Lake. Consult with the refuge keepers before beginning these excursions.

Curiosities:

The remains of buildings and tunnels from the past are remnants of constructions begun in the 40’s to bring the mountain’s waters to the hydroelectric centre of Valarties. This was an immense project with dams and 19 km of tunnels and galleries connecting the lakes to the heart of Valarties and neighbours of Colomèrs and Saboredo. The rhododendron (rhododendron ferrugineum) produce irregular shapes yellow in colour called “agallas”. They are like tumours provoked by insects, fungus or bacteria and serve as the plants’ defence against intruders. The “marmot oil” is the oil from the macerated rhododendron. It is often used as an anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory medicine. The chamois is the most characteristic mammal of the Aran Valley. It lives between 1000 and 3000 meters above sea level. In the winter they descend to the top border of the forest and in the summer they go up the mountain in search of the best pastures and snow covered areas.

The route is not of great difficult. It is also well signposted, and has 10 panels with educational presentations on the large trees that you will find on your way. The route is in the valley of Valarties (side valley of the Garonne River), within the periphery of National Park and Sant Maurici Aigüestortes.

Detailed Itinerary:

If you start from Vielha, take the road C-28 in the direction of Puerto de la Bonaigua. Upon reaching the height of Arties, take the detour to the right, which is right after finishing the population. Past the first bridge that crosses the river Garonne, you will see before you the Arties hydroelectric plant. Continue right up through the town square of Arties, where you will find the bridge over the river Valarties, cross it, and quickly turn left heading towards the valley of Valarties. After leaving behind the last buildings of the town begins the forest track, which you must follow until you reach the bridge of Ressèc. Here you have the option of taking a taxi up to the cabin of Loseron, or else make the journey on foot down the track for 3 km through a forest of beautiful spruce.
When we find Loseron hut (1,630 meters high), in an environment of alpine meadows full of flowers, on its wall you will see an information panel that explains briefly the itinerary, and in the general colors of the poster you will see the direction you need to follow to start finding the giant spruce. Go down the track a few meters, and passing the small bridge, you will find a first indication of the expected time to do all the itinerary.
Go through some initial fields and, following the yellow wooden signs, head into the woods. Then take the path of an old canal, and continue straight, without losing any altitude. At one point, on the left, when the signs of broken branches begin to take you up the slope, try to find a large red pine with panel 001, which teaches us how to measure the height of the trees an easy way. From here we will find the rest of the trees and notice boards with different information, interesting facts ..
The tree 002 will serve to guide you. In the tree 003 you will see a cross section that teaches how to count the years of the trees. Then you will see two trees that come together in the panel 004, and thus learn to differentiate red pine from firs. Then the panel 005 tells a beautiful story of an old road. Continue straight until you reach a path on the left, where you will find the tree 006, with a beard hanging down. Next to it, your eyes have to get to heaven to see the tall firs of group 007. Further, the panel 008 is in a great tree whose branches form a dense shade, and then the panel 009, a towering tree with its giant roots anchoring to life. Just at this point is where the road turns to reach the last tree with panel 010, which, despite being dead, gives us a lot of indormation about the place. You have arrived! and now you can start the descent on the way down, a little wild and fun at first, but then you just have to go to the tree 006 where we find the road uphill, and follow it. Return to the bridge, near the hut Loseron, where there was the first exhibition panel.

Recommendations:

The bravest can try to gown down straight from the tree 001, looking for the old road to the track. Then, a network of trails made to remove the timber from the forest will lead you to Sieja Meadows, near Ressèc bridge. You have to wear good shoes.

Trivia:

In Arties, past the hydroelectric plant, just after you turn right towards the town, it is worth stopping to see the bears in captivity. If you like architecture, you can enjoy in this town the visits to the church of Santa Maria and the church of Sant Joan, the latter alongside the road.