Pirineus Catalan Pyrenees Professional guide / TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of contents 1 Catalan Pyrenees 4 1.1 Introduction to the destination 6 1.2 Highlights of the Pyrenees 10 1.3 What to do in the Pyrenees 16 1.3.1 Nature 18 1.3.2 Active nature 20 1.3.3 Culture 22 1.3.4 Traditions and festivals 24 1.3.5 Gastronomy 26 1.3.6 Trails / Touring 28 1.4 Presentation of counties 30 2 Service guide 34 2.1 Accomodation 36 2.1.1 Hotels / Roural tourism / Campsites 38 2.2 Cuisine collectives 42 2.3. Active tourism companies 46 2.4 Travel agencies 70 2.5 Ski resorts 74 2.5.1 Alpine skiing 78 2.5.2 Cross-country skiing 82 2.6 Natural Parks 84 2.7 Fairs and festivals 90 2.8 Cultural assets 96 2.9 Tourist offices 100 2.10 County councils 106 Acknowledgements 110 / Catalan Pyrenees / 4 / / Catalan Pyrenees / 5 / / 6 / / 1.1 INTRODUCTION TO THE DESTINATION Join the adventure Relaxation, excitement, getting away from it all... and finding yourself again. The water, the air, the snow, the light, the silence... A unique setting. A place where you and nature are in perfect harmony, making you feel beautiful and good inside. A land marked by soaring mountains, a rich cultural heritage and exceptional cuisine. Unspoiled nature surrounds you as you enjoy sports activities, visits to natural parks and a culture stretching back to ancient times. A place where the journey is as important as the destination, where you can spend the day marvelling at nature in all its glory and round off the evening relaxing in front of the fire. A cradle of cultures where ancient customs and traditions have been preserved. Calmly savour the essence of a life that retains its authenticity. Let this incredible land inspire you. Do you know the Catalan Pyrenees? Discover and experience an inland paradise. / 7 / / 1.1 INTRODUCTION TO THE DESTINATION Pyrenees, Europe The Pyrenean essence 1. Val d’Aran 2. The Romanesque churches of 5. Rafting on the Noguera Vall de Boí Pallaresa river The only Atlantic valley in the Pyrenees, featuring impressive lakes of glacial origin, The most representative area of the Europe’s best river for white-water sports: kilometres of trails through unspoiled Catalan Romanesque period: a set of 60 kilometres of navigable water open nature and outstanding culture and eight churches and one chapel from the to all the public. gastronomy. Romanesque period, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. 3. Aigüestortes and Estany de Sant 4. Mont-rebei gorge 7. Vall de Núria Maurici National Park This is the only great gorge in Catalonia, A mountain resort set amid spectacular The only national park in Catalonia, it re- crossed only by a mule track hollowed out scenery high up in the mountains and presents the High Pyrenees at their most of the rock from which spectacular views reached by a special means of transport: magnificent. The majesty of its landsca- can be enjoyed. the cog train. pe, flora and fauna is breathtaking. / 10 / / 1.2 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PYRENEES 5. Rafting on the Noguera 6. The Patum de Berga Pallaresa river This popular and traditional festival da- Europe’s best river for white-water sports: ting back to mediaeval times is celebra- 60 kilometres of navigable water open ted during Corpus Christi. It is unique to all the public. in the world and has been declared a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. 7. Vall de Núria 8. Land of counts and abbots A mountain resort set amid spectacular Churches, monasteries and castles scenery high up in the mountains and brimming with the history of counts, the reached by a special means of transport: cradle of Catalonia. the cog train. / 11 / / 1.2 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PYRENEES 9. Volcanoes 10. The Jewish baths of Besalú 13. Peaks of the Pyrenees The best example of volcanic landscape One of the most interesting vestiges of Spectacular summits that preside over on the Iberian Peninsula: 40 volcanic Jewish culture to be found anywhere in and shape the history of the Pyrenees: cones and lush vegetation. Europe. Pica d’Estats, Montarto, Cadí, Pedraforca... 11. The Dalí Theatre - Museum 12. Sant Pere de Rodes 15. Gastronomy Dalí’s great work: the largest surrealist A majestic Benedictine monastery set Traditional Pyrenean cuisine consists of object in the world. amid the mountains, overlooking the recipes with core ingredients such as entire Cap de Creus peninsula. wild mushrooms, cured pork sausages, cheeses, game and fish. / 12 / 13. Peaks of the Pyrenees 14. Snow Spectacular summits that preside over Thanks to the ten Alpine ski resorts with and shape the history of the Pyrenees: more than 300 kilometres of slopes, six Pica d’Estats, Montarto, Cadí, Pedraforca... Nordic ski resorts and a wide variety of snow activities you can enjoy the Pyrenees in all their white glory. 15. Gastronomy Traditional Pyrenean cuisine consists of recipes with core ingredients such as wild mushrooms, cured pork sausages, cheeses, game and fish. / 13 / Map of highlights The Pyrenean essence Val d’Aran 1 Pallars 3 Sobirà Andorra 2 France Alta Ribagorça Cerdanya 5 Alt 7 Empordà Alt 12 4 Urgell Ripollès 11 Pallars 9 10 Jussà 8 6 Garrotxa Berguedà Solsonès Pyrenees, Europe / 14 / / 1.2 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PYRENEES / 15 / / 16 / / 1.3 WHAT TO DO IN THE PYRENEES Feel the pulse of the mountain Come and delve into our mountains, with accessi- ble peaks of up to 3,000 metres and myriad lakes, forests and leafy meadows Places that remain unspoiled by human activity, preserving their purity and unique nature. Natural settings of great beauty and ideal places to get lost in and reclaim that lost personal space. The only national park in Catalonia (which, with more than 200 lakes, constitutes the most important lake region in southern Europe), some of the most valuable natural parks on the Iberian Peninsula and ten special protection reserves. They are sure to surprise you. Just let yourself fall under their spell. / 17 / / 18 / / 1.3 WHAT TO DO IN THE PYRENEES / 1.3.1 NATURE Outstanding views The nature of the Catalan Pyrenees is the reflection of its people’s outlook, which con- tributes to forging the character, culture and tradition of this land. Natural parks and reserves in which you will find total paradise. Rich and varied flora and fauna right from the easternmost side, next to the Mediterranean, to the westernmost point. Places where it is even possible to find species such as the bear, and where its prints may have been the only ones left there before your own. The Pyrenees are first and foremost beauty, a unique area where nature has spared no effort in scattering the charms of paradise. The Pyrenees is home to the Aigüestortes and Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, several natural parks (Alt Pirineu, Cadí Moixeró, Cap de Creus, Els Aiguamolls de l’Empordà and La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone), natural sites of national interest (Albera and the Pedraforca Massif) and the lake areas of Val d’Aran. / 19 / / 1.3 WHAT TO DO IN THE PYRENEES / 1.3.2 ACTIVE NATURE A single horizon, a world of emotions A single horizon and a world of emotions to make the most of your time, have fun, ex- periment and get away from it all. A contras- ting landscape that is suitable for all sorts of sports: hiking, skiing, mountain biking, cycle touring, climbing, gorge scrambling, rafting or fishing. Activities for thrill-seekers and families alike, adventure breaks offering different levels of difficulty that enable you to discover authen- tic natural jewels. Leading European ski resorts such as Baqueira Beret or Alp 2500, cross-country ski trails and famous peaks for ski mountaineering. Endless wellness tourism options thanks to the thermal waters that spout from several springs. The Pyrenees constitute a first-rate tourism centre that you will want to come to and never leave. / 20 / / 21 / / 22 / / 1.3 WHAT TO DO IN THE PYRENEES / 1.3.3 CULTURE The memory of a place The Pyrenees, Catalonia’s spinal column, boasts an extensive and valuable architec- tural and cultural heritage. A source of inspiration for writers and pain- ters, and cradle of an ancient culture, they conceal Romanesque churches, monaste- ries, castles, archaeological complexes and mediaeval towns, along with some fifty mu- seums. Sacred sanctuaries of great beauty, places of worship and stones imbued with history. The Romanesque architectural style shines in its own right and no better example can be found than the set of churches found in Vall de Boí, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The area is brimming with extremely valuable architectural jewels, such as the monasteries of Santa Maria de Ripoll or Sant Pere de Roda, the abbey of Santa Maria de Gerri, in Gerri de la Sal, the church of Sant Jaume de Frontanyà, Solsona Cathedral or the church of Santa Maria d’Arties in Val d’Aran... Vestiges that bear witness to the passage of time lost in memory, at the birth of Catalonia’s history. The art of every period can be felt everywhere. Just relax your eyes and savour it. / 23 / / 1.3 WHAT TO DO IN THE PYRENEES / 1.3.4 TRADITIONS AND FESTIVALS Celebrating character Customs and traditions come together following the cycle of the seasons in an expression of living culture crammed with legends, feasts, dances, songs and popular festivals. Coinciding with solstices and equinoxes, religious in nature or with pagan roots, festive occasions and gathe- rings have over time contributed to forging the special character of the towns in the Pyrenees.