Discover the Terres de Lleida and the Pyrenees, its gastronomy, its restaurants, which excursions and which places seem interesting to us, its festivals, the traces of the past and many other things. All from the hand of the people who live here.
You can also check what you can do in the coming days in the Terres de Lleida and the Pyrenees in Cartells de Ponent.
The Mu Gorge is an ideal excursion for spring and autumn, best done early in the morning, before anyone else, to be able to see the wildlife in action. It's better to do it from Camarasa to Alòs de Balaguer and back, as this way we can make a stop to refuel in Alòs de Balaguer.
The Mu Gorge follows the old bridle path that existed between Camarasa and Alòs de Balaguer, which partly disappeared in 1991 with the construction of the mini dam, and which was later restored in 1998 with several paths and the suspension bridge.
Since the pandemic and the overcrowding of outdoor activities, there is a barrier in the Pont de Pastor that is normally closed, that is, we cannot reach the mini dam by car as we did before. We will have to start the route at Pont de Pastor, which means traveling 4 km more. In total, going from Pont de Pastor to Alòs de Balaguer and back is about 17 km.
The first section is a 2 km paved track, shady, that borders the Segre and leads to the mini-dam. You pass next to the old Fecsa camp and find a lot of climbing routes ideal for doing in summer.
Just below the mini dam is where the Noguera Pallaresa and the Segre rivers converge.
The Noguera Pallaresa originates in the Pla de Beret, in the Aran Valley, just a few meters from where the Garonne River, which flows towards the Atlantic, originates. The Segre River originates in the Cirque de la Culassa, in the High Cerdanya, and flows into the Ebro River in Mequinenza.
The ensemble formed by the Camarasa dam, the mini dam, the walkways, and the bridge over the Segre constitute a rather interesting space that already deserves a visit in itself.
The Mu Narrows influenced the floods of November 1982, which completely submerged the El Molí Restaurant in Alòs de Balaguer. At the monument to Sant Esteve nearby, you can find the mark indicating how far the water reached.
Between the Mu Narrows and the Espadella Spring, in the Roques Prenyades, you'll find the Cova del Parco, an active archaeological site under the direction of the University of Barcelona.
At the picnic area of the Espadella Spring, you can reach it from Alòs de Balaguer by car via an unpaved track which, in the event of recent rain, may be in poor condition.
Don't forget to bring water and sunscreen, especially if you're doing the excursion in summer.
Once in Alòs de Balaguer, we can complement the journey by ascending to the castle through the village or visiting the chapel of Sant Miquel. Both excursions offer us a privileged view of the valley. There's also the possibility of simply strolling through the streets of the village, as suggested in the following image, and discovering its peculiarities.
We can refuel at Restaurant El Molí or visit the swimming pools; in both cases, we can feel the water from the Segre or the Font del Prat stream respectively while regaining our strength.
The Aiguabarreig del Segre-Noguera Pallaresa, part of the Natura 2000 Network, is a protected natural area covering 10,237 hectares. The landscape varies from watercourses to rugged areas with holm oaks, oaks, and pines. We also find Mediterranean shrubs and bushes with aromatic and medicinal plants. Plants adapted to cliffs stand out, such as rock tea and rock carnation, endemic to the area. Along the Segre riverbank, we find alders
The cavities and ledges of the cliffs and walls in this area are shelter and breeding places for large birds of prey such as vultures, peregrine falcons, and golden eagles.
The shortest version would be to drive to the Espadella Spring, and then walk the part of the walkways and the suspension bridge to the two rivers, and return. This way, we only do the most interesting part of the excursion.
Sant Llorenç de Montgai is a fantastic leisure space where you can stroll, kayak, cycle, and rock climb; it's a place where we can recharge with positive energy.
We've deliberately taken the narrow secondary road LV-9047, full of twists and turns, between vertical rocks where climbing is practiced. As the Segre River widens due to the reservoir, Sant Llorenç de Montgai stands out in the distance, blending with the riverbank.
Sant Llorenç de Montgai is a peaceful spot, off the tourist routes, where we can enjoy numerous activities related to its small reservoir, such as kayaking, sport fishing, and bird watching.
The dam, built in 1929, gave rise to this fantastic natural space. In 1990, it was declared a Natural Reserve due to the abundance of waterfowl and its scenic interest.
Part of the old school has been transformed into the bar-restaurant "El Mirador del Llac", which features an idyllic terrace overlooking the reservoir. It serves as a meeting point for both the locals and the groups who are climbing in the area.
Sant Llorenç de Montgai is one of the stops on El Tren del Llacs (Lakes Train) that runs from Lleida to La Pobla. The journey, marked by the Segre and Noguera Pallaresa rivers, is filled with tunnels and bridges, and features exceptionally beautiful landscapes.
The Roca dels Bous is an archaeological site that seeks traces of the stays made by groups of Neanderthals in this rocky shelter thousands of years ago. It can be visited with the guidance of Espai Origens.
The rocks on the sides of the Roca dels Bous, such as the Cilindro and the Pared del Oso, are usually filled with climbers. It could be said that Sant Llorenç is the climbing capital of this area of Lleida.
The La Noguera campground has become a major catalyst for the area, featuring a restaurant, indoor pool open year-round, paddle tennis court, and rental services for bicycles and kayaks.
Much marketing, well-placed shops, narrower nougat bars, the touch of Albert Adrià from Bulli, and a plethora of references have revolutionized the nougat tradition in Agramunt, expanding and destacionalizing nougat consumption worldwide.
In their store in Agramunt, we can buy freshly made nougats by weight from the workshop, which are much more flavorful.
Personally, my favorites for Christmas are the traditional ones; the others tend to overwhelm me as they have very strong flavors.
Albert Marimón offers a unique culinary experience at this signature restaurant, with special attention to local ingredients. The restaurant ambiance is predominantly occupied by middle-aged adults. The generous and elaborately crafted tapas go beyond the traditional concept, often becoming main courses. The inclusion of mushrooms during the season stands out, adding a special touch to the dishes. Regarding the wine list, although not extensive, it offers a selection of lesser-known wines that complement the culinary choices well. In conclusion, a unique gastronomic experience with Albert Marimón's personal touch.
| Month/Year | Rating | Number of Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| January 2024 | 4.5 | 1,499 |
In the Aran Valley, you can breathe well-being, well-off people, everything is orderly and clean. The roads and tracks in the mountains are in very good condition. It is noted that they enjoy a standard of living higher than the average in Catalonia. It is noted that there are only about 10,000 inhabitants in 620 km2. It is also noted that they are located very far from urban areas and only those who can afford it visit them.
Before 1948, the year in which the Vielha tunnel was completed, they were isolated and had a subsistence economy. When the port of Bonaigua was blocked by snow, they could only leave in the direction of Occitania, following the course of the Garonne River.
The Vall d'Aran faces the Atlantic, which makes its forests noticeably different from those of the rest of Catalonia, which is southern.
Today, the Aran Valley lives mainly from tourism, which represents 80% of its GDP. Its educational system is in Aranese, Catalan, Spanish, French and English. In addition, its baccalaureate is compatible with the Spanish and French educational systems.
The Aran Valley wants to be more than simply the Baqueira Beret ski resort, which almost sold a million ski passes in 136 days during the 2022-2023 season. It seeks to become a tourist destination suitable for all ages and appealing all year round. It certainly has the capabilities to achieve it, it is an exceptional site.
The Colomers cirque, formed by 48 lakes with crystal clear waters, black pine and spruce forests, and impressive mountains that rise nearly 3,000 meters, make this glacial cirque and its valley an essential place during our stay in the Aran Valley.
The Saut deth Pish, which is located half an hour from Vielha by paved road, has two waterfalls: the upper one is about 15 m. high and the lower one about 5 m. The water comes from the Long Lake of Liat and comes out through a karst course at the Era Pila source in the Siesso ravine.
The eyes of the devil or Jupiter are spectacular waterfalls fed by the waters of the Aneto glacier. The waters that melt from the glacier disappear in the Forau d'Aigualluts in the Benasque Valley and reappear in the Arán Valley, after a 4 km underground journey. An excursion worth dedicating a whole day to.
In Les, they celebrate the solstice during the night of Sant Joan with the burning of eth Haro, a fir tree placed the previous year in the middle of the square. This tradition is part of the Pyrenees fire festivals, recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2015.
