Trekking Pass Aran. Cross-border crossing of the Pyrenees

The destination

The Aran Valley is located on the Atlantic side 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 country. 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 2.000 meters in 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, traditional public laundries and mills 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 productive land has contributed to a rich cuisine with local products such as garden vegetables, game meat, mushrooms, berries (cranberries, wild strawberries, currants and raspberries) and honey. Some of their traditional dishes are the “civet” made with wild pig, “olla aranesa” and “truhada”.

Highlights