Trekking Pass Aran. Cross-border crossing of the Pyrenees

The destination

The Aran Valley is located on the Atlantic slope of the central Pyrenees, a fact that determines its climate, history and relationships with its neighbours. The Garonne River makes its way north by Aquitaine land, in France. In fact and despite being administratively integrated in Spain, it was not until 1948, when the tunnel of Vielha was inaugurated, that the valley was communicated throughout the year by road with the rest of the state. All this has meant that its language and its Occitan culture have been preserved.

Another important aspect of the Aran Valley, besides its orientation, is that the 30% of the valley is above the 2.000 meters altitude.

Despite the great urban development that the valley has suffered in recent years, we can still enjoy its cultural heritage. Villages, churches, stately homes, churches, public laundries, mills or water troughs have lasted until our days. The village of Arties, with beautiful views of the Montardo Mountain (2.833 m), and its Romanesque church of Santa María de Arties, are just one example

This land has natural products used in their traditional cuisine, such as garden vegetables, game meat, mushrooms, berries (cranberries, wild strawberries, currants and raspberries) and honey. Some of their typical dishes are the “civet” made with wild pig, “olla aranesa” and “truhada”.

Highlights