Family Excursions in the Val d’Aran
Enjoy a family vacation in a place where you can breathe fresh air and be surrounded only by nature. Walk through the mountains and follow trails that will lead you to rivers, lakes, and forests.Come and experience your vacation with Totiaran, and discover the Val d’Aran.
You have already booked your accommodation with Totiaran, now all that’s left is to explore these excursions and prepare for an unforgettable adventure in the woods and mountains, enjoy a picnic, or ride your bike through the wonderful landscapes.1. Discover the Saut deth Pish Waterfall
It is undoubtedly one of the most visited waterfalls in the Val d’Aran, ideal for easy hikes with children or those who prefer gentle routes. You only need comfortable mountain clothing and footwear. To get there, from your accommodation drive to Vielha and follow the N230 towards Les and France. After 5 km, you will reach Pont d’Arròs, where you turn right towards the Varradòs valley. After 12 km through beech and fir forests, you will arrive at Plan des Artiguetes, where you can park. The Saut deth Pish is the most representative waterfall in the Val d’Aran and is formed by two cascades. The main and most spectacular one drops water from about 20 meters high, while the smaller one falls from just 5 meters.
From here, you will cross a wooden bridge and climb a slightly steep trail up to the main waterfall, which drops about 20 meters.
This excursion can also be done in spring and autumn, provided that snow is not an obstacle due to possible avalanches that block road access. Check beforehand to see if the forest track is open.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the Saut deth Pish excursion suitable for children? Yes, it is an easy route highly recommended for families.
- When is the best time to visit the waterfall? Spring and autumn are ideal, but in winter check the status of the forest track due to possible avalanches.
2. Bassa d’Oles Lake and Baricauba Forest
A short and easy route, perfect for the whole family, that circles the small Bassa d’Oles lake, surrounded by the Baricauba forest composed of firs, red pines, junipers, and blueberries.
Ideal for spending a day with young children, having a picnic, and enjoying nature while observing wildlife such as roe deer or ducks.
To reach Bassa d’Oles lake from the center of Vielha, it takes about 15 minutes by car. Take the road towards Gausach and then the road to Baricauba. When you start the switchbacks, you will cross the Baricauba forest, pass the Guardadèr de Betlan viewpoint, and continue until you reach this beautiful lake.
You can enjoy this environment for a day with your family, play or have a fun picnic, and if you love mountain biking, you can also bring your bike and explore some of the marked trails.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can you have a picnic in the area? Yes, there are ideal picnic spots around the lake.
- Is the route accessible for young children? Yes, it is a gentle and short walk.
3. Artiga de Lin and Uelhs deth Joèu
Artiga de Lin is one of the most spectacular natural spots in the Val d’Aran, and also easily accessible, making it an ideal excursion for the whole family. In this Artiga Valley, you can find a wide variety of flora and fauna depending on the time of year you visit.
The route we suggest is a circular excursion of one to one and a half hours, starting at the Uelhs deth Joèu waterfall. Cross the metal bridge and ascend the trail to the left, made of log steps through a beech and fir forest. Without realizing it, you’ll arrive at a stone gateway which is the entrance to the Plan dera Artiga de Lin. Continue along the track until you reach the Refugi dera Artiga at the foot of Còth deth Hòro. If you don’t want to complete the circular route, you can continue along the paved track back to the starting point of the excursion.
To get to the starting point, take the paved road towards the Joèu river valley from the village of Es Bòrdes. After about 7 km, park at the Uelhs deth Joèu car park. You can also reach Artiga from Gausach, but the easiest route is from Es Bòrdes.
During the summer season (usually from July 20 to September 10), vehicle access is restricted from 9 am to 6 pm. Only authorized vehicles may enter. A parking area has been provided, and if you don’t want to walk the approximately 3 km to the Pla de la Artiga, you can take the tourist train that runs in summer. Don’t forget to visit the Artiga de Lin Interpretation Center which was inaugurated in 2018 (summer visiting hours are 9 am to 5 pm).
From Artiga de Lin, you can undertake other high mountain routes for the more experienced hikers, including the famous Aranese Route of Aneto via Còth deth Hòro (approximately 9 hours).
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long is the Artiga de Lin circular route? Approximately 1 to 1.5 hours, ideal for families and walkers.
- Is transportation available in summer for access? Yes, the tourist train operates in peak season from 9 am to 6 pm, facilitating access.
- What flora and fauna can be observed? It varies depending on the season, from lush beech and fir forests to local wildlife enriching the natural experience.
4. MONTGARRI SANCTUARY
This excursion can be done at any time of the year and you will discover the ancient sanctuary surrounded by a spectacular landscape, like something out of a postcard.
The story goes that the image of the Virgin of Montgarri was discovered by a shepherd who, seeing every day how one of his oxen knelt in the same spot, decided to investigate and found the image, which was named patron saint of the shepherds. A chapel was built for her, and later the sanctuary was erected.
To get to Montgarri, you must go up to the Pla de Beret, about 8 km from Baqueira. Depending on how much you like to walk, you can do the 13 km round trip from the Beret parking lot via the trail that starts to the left, or if you prefer a shorter walk, you can drive (as long as your car isn’t too low) along the forest track on the right until you reach a parking area, then walk down a trail to Montgarri. If you have a 4×4, you can drive right up to the sanctuary, but we recommend walking a bit and enjoying the walk through nature.
For mountain biking enthusiasts, this route is fantastic, with a medium difficulty level. You could continue to Isil, Esterri d’Aneu, and return via the Bonaigua Pass (we recommend someone picks you up in Esterri or Valencia d’Aneu, as the climb up the Bonaigua Pass is quite tough).
In winter, you can reach Montgarri by practicing cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, dog sledding or horse-drawn sled, and snowshoeing. You can check with various companies that organize these winter activities. We loved doing a snowshoe excursion on a full moon night, having dinner in one of the refuges, and walking back by moonlight—it was fantastic.
