Categories: Sports & activities

Discover La Vall d’Aran

La Vall d’Aran offer hundreds of possibilities both in summer and in the winter, as this corner of the Pyrenees mountains is the perfect place for people to do extreme outdoor sports or take a stroll through the natural areas. For lovers of cultural tourism, the area conserves an important cultural romantic and gothic heritage that is worth the visit. Another point of interest is the great offering of leisure and enjoyment, and of course, the famous ski area, Baqueira Beret. This area is also ideal for a romantic getaway where you can disconnect from the outside world and enjoy the incredible landscapes. Today in this article, the team at ShBarcelona invites you to get away on your next vacation and discover la Vall d’Aran.

Related article: Catalonia’s Most Emblematic Mountains

The heart and soul of the Catalan Pyrenees

Photo via VisualHunt

If you’re a winter sports fan, don’t miss out on the chance to visit the Baqueira Beret ski resort. Its 2,000 meter-high peaks and incredible facilities have made it into one of the best skiing areas in Spain. Spanish celebrities have chosen Baqueira Beret as their preferred spot to ski, including members of the Royal Family, who you may see on the slopes. If you prefer water sports, la Vall d’Aran has incredible lakes, whitewater and waterfalls, and the thawing Garona river is perfect for whitewater sports such as rafting. If you’re not one for intense sports but want to spend some more tranquil time in nature, you can opt for a hike or bike ride on one of the hundreds of well-marked trails, where there are options for all skill levels and intensities. In NaturAran adventure park, you’ll find a climbing wall and suspension bridge, as well as opportunities for ziplining and climbing to the top of trees. Lastly, in the natural park called Aran Park you can wander past bears, deer, wolves and other indigenous species. If you want to enjoy views from 3,000 meters of altitude you can take the route to Besiberri Nord, one of the three thousand in the area. The sense of accomplishment and stunning views from the top are surely worth the trip.

Photo by Miguel Vicente Martínez Juan via VisualHunt

The Vall d’Aran has an important historic and cultural heritage, as well as a number of magical traditions and legends. You can enjoy a large historical ensemble composed mainly of Romantic churches, with the churches of Santa Eulària d’Unha, Santa Maria d’Arties and Sant Andreu de Salardú containing exceptional paintings and sculptures. Another good option in the area is to take your car and lose yourself among the different small towns, where you can take in more of the rich and varied landscape. You can also take advantage of the opportunity to relax and focus on your wellbeing by visiting the thermal baths, where you can relax in sulfurous waters originally used by the Romans to enhance health and relaxation. Another obligatory spot to visit in the area is Vielha, in the capital of la Vall d’Aran where you can wander through the streets that follow the river and visit the church of Sant Miquel, which dates back to the 12th century. Whether you’ve just had a long day of skiing or a nice day of relaxation, you can always enjoy a nice dinner in the evening at one of the various spots in the area that range from traditional restaurants to more modern options. We could go on and on explaining all the different reasons to visit the wonderful area of la Vall d’Aran, but the best thing to do is to go and experience it for yourself.