We are returning to Paris from Barcelona mid May by car and am looking for a mountain town en route in the eastern half of pyrenees with good hiking for a 2 night stay. The idea is to get a good 4-6 hr day hike ( moderate difficult ) in before heading back to Paris where we fly back to Canada. If you had to pick one town for this stop where would it be ? If the French side is better that is fine.
Posted by
OP
Stratford, PEI, Canada
8 posts
Thanks . We really would like to get up into the Pyrenees , was thinking a little further north towards Andorra or are those areas not as interesting ?
Posted by
Barcelona + Sweden
4180 posts
If you're looking for more altitude, then I'd recommend the Val d'Aran region, with a home base in its capital Vielha. From there one can hike in Aigüestortes i Estany of Saint Maurici National Park or the nearby Vall de Boí with its 1000 year old UNESCO heritage-listed churches.
The little known region of Val d'Aran in the northwest corner of Catalonia is quite an interesting place with their own unique language Aranese. Here's an excellent recent BBC article about the area - https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20220117-aranese-spains-little-known-language
Posted by
OP
Stratford, PEI, Canada
8 posts
Val d'aran sounds perfect will look at that destination
Posted by
2 posts
I wasn't the original poster, but am interested in the same -- hiking near to Barcelona. OP: will you post advice after your trip? I travel in late June! Also I am curious how to get to Val D'Aran -- can you drive from BCN? Distance? Thx!
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7159 posts
Not as far east as you’d like, but Torla-Ordesa by the Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park offers good hiking too.
Posted by
Barcelona + Sweden
4180 posts
Also I am curious how to get to Val D'Aran -- can you drive from BCN? Distance? Thx!
Yes, with a car you can either head west to Lleida and then turn north up to Vielha or head west on the N260 via Ribes de Freser to Vielha, for a more scenic drive. It's about a 4ish hour drive one way with no stops. Definitely needs a overnight.