Reconnect with the Pyrenees

The Pyrenees of Catalonia occupy the eastern strip of 250 kilometers that goes from Cabo de Creus in the Aran Valley. They are a land dominated by peaks around 3,000 meters of altitude; deep valleys where rivers are born that have played a very important role in drawing the landscape of the territory and have enhanced human activity over the centuries.

In each season of the year the Pyrenees offer a surprising spectacle of color, smell and life. Especially in the mountains, the transformation of the landscape is more radical and motivates the arrival of visitors attracted by the observation of nature, the practice of leisure and sports activities, the search for peace and tranquility, and the experimentation of new emotions.

We suggest you reconnect with the Pyrenees, live life with the rhythm of nature and discover endless natural, cultural and gastronomic proposals to enjoy like you have never done before!

Reconnect with nature

The natural heritage of the Pyrenees is made up of a National Park of Aigüestortes and Estany de Sant Maurici -the only one in all of Catalonia-, six natural parks, more than 60 areas of natural interest, ten reserves of special protection and a great variety of landscapes natural of interest.

This natural environment makes the Pyrenees a privileged destination for hiking. The Pyrenees have more than 1,000 km of marked trails that will allow you to enjoy the great pleasure of walking without problems.

Hiking will allow you to delve into the history, customs and natural and heritage culture of the area. In addition to the long-distance trails, there is a wide range of tourist routes in stages, cultural walks and the network of local trails that will take you to all the places of interest that surround the routes.

Get closer to the culture

The Pyrenees offer an extensive and valuable cultural heritage that ranges from traces of primitive civilizations in archaeological sites, to an extensive Roman heritage and a vast Romanesque legacy that survives in churches, castles, abbeys, monasteries and villas.

The greatest exponent of Romanesque in Catalonia is the Vall de Boí Romanesque complex, made up of eight churches and a hermitage, it was declared a World Heritage Site in being considered an exceptional sample of a heritage, an era and a medieval society that have marked the history of the Catalan nation.

In the Pyrenees there are elements of exceptional universal value from the point of view of history, art and anthropology, which at the beginning of the 21st century were declared Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Examples are the Patum de Berga or the fire festivals that are celebrated in various towns in the regions of Alta Ribagorça, Pallars Jussà and Sobirà , Val d'Aran and Berguedà.

The destination also has around fifty thematic museums and art centers dedicated to all periods and artistic styles, with activities designed for all ages and social groups.

Eat the Pyrenees. The landscape on the plate

With so many activities and proposals, have you got hungry? The gastronomic wealth of the Pyrenees makes it a pleasure to sit at the table and try their mountain dishes.

Game, mushrooms, cow and sheep cheeses and sausages... Pyrenean cuisine makes the most of the products of the land and, combining them with the wisdom of the ancestors, surprises the most demanding palates.

The veal of the Catalan Pyrenees, which has a designation of origin, free-range chicken and lamb, trout, pâtés, sea and mountain rice, escudella and cooked, the Aranese pot or carving and bread with tomato. Dishes that breathe influences from the proximity to the Mediterranean and the high mountains, with the best seasonings and washed down with excellent wines with designation of origin.

A cuisine of millenary recipes, prepared with patience, over a low heat. A combination of strong flavors and powerful aromas. Fried, minced and bittersweet that can be tasted throughout the territory in inns, small restaurants, gastronomic hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants and why not, also in a wide variety of fairs and exhibitions throughout the year.

Get active in the Pyrenees

If the proposal you are looking for is to enjoy the environment of the Pyrenees by activating practicing sports, you should know that the offer is very varied. On two wheels, climbing mountains, doing activities in rivers and reservoirs, on horseback, from the air: you will discover many modalities in a privileged natural environment.

Lovers of mountain biking (BTT) will find authentic off-road circuits in the Pyrenees. From the toughest crossings to family itineraries, you can choose from a wide range of proposals prepared to enchant all audiences.

Another alternative is cycling, a modality that uses the bicycle as a means of transport for sightseeing. Different green ways with routes have been created such as the Iron and Coal route, which leaves from Ripoll and reaches Girona, and the Carrilet Olot-Girona that goes from Olot to Girona crossing the villages of the valleys of the rivers Ter, Brugent and Fluvià. We also find the Route that runs between Colonia Rosal and the Pedret bridge in the Berguedà, and that of Vall Fosca, between Estany Gento and Espui.

If you are looking for direct contact with the land, improvement and knowledge, you have an appointment with the mythical peaks such as Pica d'Estats, the highest in Catalonia, with 3,143 meters, Canigó, Puigmal, Pedraforca, Besiberris, Molières or Montardo. They are sure to exceed the expectations of any mountaineer enthusiast.

And if you prefer to discover the area from above, in the Pyrenees you will find magnificent climbing areas and via ferratas that will leave you speechless.

Every year the Pyrenees also become a meeting point for lovers of aquatic adventure. As for whitewater, you can practice sports such as rafting, canoeing-kayaking, hydrospeed, canyoning or water trekking, among many others. If you prefer calm waters, you will find jet skis, windsurfing, water skiing or scuba diving.

This summer reconnect with the Pirineus of Catalonia, live your way!

#reconnectatPirineus