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Turisme al Pallars Sobirà

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El Pallars Sobirà, the valleys of the high Pyrenees

Come and discover Catalonia's highest peak and highest inhabited village, the largest lake in the Pyrenees, and one of Europe's best whitewater rivers: Pica d'Estats, Rubió, Certascan, and the Noguera Pallaresa. All of this in an incomparable natural setting, protected by Catalonia's only national park and largest natural park: Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park and Alt Pirineu Natural Park, as well as the Boumort Nature Reserve.

The region is made up of 15 municipalities that group together some 135 villages spread across the valleys that converge in the Noguera Pallaresa: the Àssua valley, the Cardós valley, the Ferrera valley, the Siarb valley, the Àneu valleys...

Nature and natural parks

Come and experience the authenticity offered by the nature of Pallars Sobirà, one of the regions with the most protected areas in Catalonia.

Aigüestortes and Estany de Sant Maurici National Park

As Catalonia's only national park, it offers an unparalleled high-mountain landscape where water takes center stage, with over 200 ponds. Exploring the park's numerous trails makes it easy to discover unique flora and fauna.

You can't miss it:

  1. San Mauricio and Los Encantados Pond. An emblematic setting in the Catalan Pyrenees, representative of the high mountain landscape where rock and water coexist.
  2. Collado del Portarró. Point of connection between the Espot valley and the Sant Nicolau valley at 2,428 m from where magnificent views of the Park can be observed.
  3. Mata de València. The largest fir forest in the Iberian Peninsula. A true immersion into a world of legend and fantasy.
  4. Mainera Lakes. Head of the Àssua valley located at 2,420 m altitude with three glacial lakes that will satisfy lovers of peace and quiet.

Alt Pirineu Natural Park

Nature and human activity coexist in harmony in this extensive protected area, a mosaic where deep valleys and diverse landscapes blend together, providing refuge for many endangered species.

You can't miss it:

  1. Certascan Reservoir. The largest glacial lake in the Pyrenees, located at an altitude of 2,300 m. An essential landmark for nature lovers.
  2. Pla de Boet. A natural sanctuary of rest and tranquility from where the ascent to the roof of Catalonia, the Pica d'Estats (3,143 m), begins.
  3. The Escalarre wetland. A wetland with crystal-clear waters where different plant and animal species of great natural value coexist.
  4. Pico del Orri. A great natural viewpoint from which you can contemplate a 360-degree panorama at an altitude of 2,439 m.

Gifts of nature

Other natural spaces of great beauty.

Boumort Reserve

Time seems to have stood still in this dry, rugged place. Entering Boumort is like stepping into an inhospitable environment populated by wildlife that roams freely among the remains of ancient troglodyte villages nestled in natural rock caves, transporting you back to a bygone era.

Pla de Corts

In a legendary setting guarded by the silhouette of the Sleeping Giantess lie the waters of the Montcortès pond, which spring from the depths of an undulating land straddling the high snowy peaks and the rugged mid-mountains.

Àssua Valley and the Batlliu

The vastness of the valley, along with the verdant abundance of pastures, has made this place a true paradise for livestock farming since time immemorial, full of stories of transhumant shepherds and travelers who, captivated by its uniqueness, wrote tales.

The Noguera Pallaresa

The Noguera Pallaresa is the backbone of the Pallars region, crossing it from north to south and collecting the waters of all the valleys of the Alt Pirineu. From its source in the high mountains, its waters flow through placid green valleys and narrow gorges with rocky walls, and are home to diverse aquatic species, such as the otter, the river trout, and the dipper.

Hiking

The old network of paths that connected the villages and the villages with the mountains now offer the opportunity to delve into nature and travel to a not so distant past by exploring every corner of the region.

Let yourself be guided by the more than a thousand trails that will lead you to discover a heritage that will leave you anything but indifferent. No matter your skill level, you'll always find a path to suit you: from short family walks to long high-mountain treks. And if you're feeling adventurous, the cross-border trails are the perfect option. For a more personalized experience, there will always be a guide ready to help you discover the region from a different perspective: learning about the flora and fauna, observing the night sky, interpreting Romanesque architecture...

Active and adventure tourism

Shake off your laziness and get moving! In Pallars Sobirà you'll find endless options for adventure sports that will give you a pure adrenaline rush.

If you love water, the Noguera Pallaresa, one of the best whitewater rivers in Europe, awaits you with activities such as rafting, canoeing or hydrospeeding that will make you feel part of the river.

If you like adventure, canyons, gorges/wild landscapes and jumps into the void will make you feel unknown emotions.

If you enjoy tranquility, horse riding and fishing will bring you closer to nature in a relaxed and peaceful way.

If you like being on wheels, mountain bike and quad bike routes will take you to unknown corners from a different perspective.

And if you like personal challenges, the high mountain races and popular walks that are organized between May and September will activate your mechanism and make you surprise yourself.

Snow activities

If you love snow, Pallars Sobirà is your destination. Grab your gear and come experience the snow at any of the ski resorts where, in addition to traditional alpine skiing, you can enjoy Nordic skiing, snowboarding, freestyle skiing, or ski touring.

But if you prefer gliding to walking on snow, snowshoes are the ideal way to enjoy nature at your own pace. And if you do it with a guide, you'll be amazed by the magical corners hidden in the forest.

Culture and heritage

Want to take a trip back in time? The authenticity of the stone villages with their slate roofs and wooden balconies will transport you to their origins. The numerous small chapels and Romanesque bridges scattered throughout the region are a living reflection of a legacy that has been preserved intact over time thanks to its isolation.

And if you still want to know more, you can't miss visiting the numerous museums, exhibitions and workshops that will bring you closer to the richness of a living and surprising culture.

FAMILY HOLIDAYS

Are you thinking about a family getaway? Come and share a unique experience with your loved ones in an incomparable setting where contact with nature will awaken all your senses and help you reconnect with yourself.

The varied range of activities for the youngest members of the family, including parties and festivals, play and adventure parks, themed excursions, and the support of a good infrastructure of a large number of accommodations, will make your stay an experience you won't want to forget.

GASTRONOMY

The beauty of the landscapes of the Alt Pirineu valleys can also be tasted in the dishes of the Pallaresa cuisine, which combine tradition and modernity, without forgetting traditional recipes.

Do you know what tupí or girella are? They're some of the most typical products of Pallars Sobirà that will surprise your taste buds. Come and try them in the most traditional or the most innovative restaurants in the region, where you'll experience mountain cuisine like never before.

And to drink? Have a glass of wine from the northernmost vineyards of Catalonia or wash it down with a good swig of authentic ratafia.

Festivals and traditions

In winter with the Carnival festivities with typical celebrations such as the Ball de la Passa, in spring with the arrival of traditional gatherings and activities such as the xolla and the ascent of the livestock to the mountain; coinciding with the summer solstice with popular festivities that bear witness to ancient pagan rituals such as the descent of fallas and major festivals and in autumn with the celebration of fairs and the descent of the flocks.

Services

Pallars Sobirà offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit your needs, from hotels, apartments, rural houses, campsites and hostels, as well as a wide selection of restaurants for all tastes and budgets where the friendly service and everyday atmosphere will make you feel right at home.

And to make you feel involved in our daily life, don't forget to check our activities calendar, full of options for all ages that will make your stay in Pallars a unique and unforgettable experience...

With the collaboration of

Ara Lleida Biosphere destination

 

Events