Saturday, February 1, 2025

What can I do in the Lands of Lleida?

Discover the natural wonders and cultural treasures of les Terres de Lleida, where ancient heritage blends with breathtaking landscapes and vibrant traditions. This unique region offers unforgettable experiences, from exceptional ecosystems and outdoor adventures to rich gastronomic delights.

In the plain, the dryland areas contrast with the irrigated zones of the Segarra-Garrigues and the canal d'Urgell, creating a unique and fascinating environment.

The secans lleidatans, covering nearly 90,000 hectares of steppe terrain, constitute an exceptional ecosystem in Europe. This habitat is the last refuge for numerous endangered species, such as the red-tailed lark, the sisó, the ganga, and the calàndria.

Wetland areas are natural spaces of ecological importance. Thus, the embassament of Sant Llorenç de Montgai and the estany d'Ivars stand out for their rich diversity of fauna, making them ideal settings for the conservation and study of aquatic ecosystems.

The Terres de Lleida have established themselves as a reference point in ornithological observation, attracting enthusiasts with the variety of bird species that inhabit the region.

The rivers Segre, Noguera Ribagorçana, and Noguera Pallaresa, along with the reservoirs of Camarasa, Sant Llorenç de Montgai, Rialb, Santa Anna, and Canelles, form wet environments ideal for activities such as kayaking or catch-and-release fishing.

Montsec, with its imposing red-hued rock face, defined by the congostos of Mont-rebei, Terradets, and the pas Nou, opens up a world of excursions, where the classic route through Mont-rebei stands out.

The gastronomic richness of the region is reflected in the wines of Costers del Segre and the oils with various designations, especially those from les Garrigues, as well as in the agricultural tradition that nourishes our restaurants with authentic flavors.

We must not forget the torrones from Agramunt and Os de Balaguer, nor the coques de recapte from the many local bakeries, always busy with people returning to the capital with the desire to take a piece of Lleida home.

The fruit stands, which fill the plain with vibrant colors, have become an important tourist attraction in the area.

The sky of Lleida, with its Starlight designation, is famous for its excellent quality when it comes to stargazing.

Furthermore, les Terres de Lleida host numerous festivals with great attendance, such as the Aplec del Cargol de Lleida, the Fira de Teatre de Tàrrega, the Aquelarre de Cervera, and la Transsegre de Balaguer.

The historical and cultural richness is also evident in the remnants of the past: castles, towers, churches, as well as paleontological, archaeological, and geological treasures, offering attractions for every taste.

Finally, les Terres de Lleida are a true paradise for lovers of sports and physical activity. With an extensive network of routes for cycling, hiking, and rock climbing, the contrasting landscapes — from expansive fields to rugged mountains — offer challenges for all levels, turning each outing into an unforgettable experience.

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

The Pyrenees - Nature, Heritage, and Belonging

The Pyrenees are an almost untouched space that must be cared for, as they hold immeasurable value both naturally and as a heritage site.

It is essential to maintain a balance between development that allows people to settle in the area and, at the same time, preserve the natural environment that gives the Pyrenees its identity and value.

Chronography of Change - Opening and Preserving

In 1948, the Vielha tunnel was completed, enabling year-round access and driving the economic and tourist development of the region.

In 1955, the Aigüestortes and Estany de Sant Maurici National Park was declared, the only national park in Catalonia, attracting half a million visitors annually.

In 1984, the Cadí tunnel was inaugurated, revolutionizing communications between the regions of Cerdanya and Berguedà, significantly reducing travel times and promoting a substantial increase in tourism and trade in these areas.

In 2000, the Romanesque churches of the Vall de Boí were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, noted for their unique architecture, frescoes, and sculptures dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries.

In 2003, the Alt Pirineu Natural Park was created, making it the largest protected natural area in Catalonia, covering nearly 80,000 hectares. Under the shadow of Pica d'Estats, Catalonia's highest peak at 3,143 meters, this unique territory is a reserve of Pyrenean natural and cultural heritage, with vast pastures and iconic animals such as the capercaillie, bearded vulture, and brown bear.

In 2015, UNESCO declared the summer solstice fire festivals in the Pyrenees, including the Falles and Crema deth Haro, as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

That same year, in 2015, the Natural Park of the Ter and Freser Headwaters was declared, located in the eastern Pyrenees, in Ripollès. Covering an area of more than 14,000 hectares, it includes the impressive landscapes of the upper valleys of the Ter and Freser rivers, as well as areas of great ecological and cultural value.

In 2024, the Val d'Aran was declared a UNESCO biosphere reserve, valuing its landscape diversity as well as its cultural and linguistic identity.

Few but Brave

The population of Pallars Jussà and Pallars Sobirà, combined, is around 20,000 inhabitants. This is similar to the population of towns like Tàrrega or Balaguer, but distributed across approximately 2,700 km², with an average density of 7 inhabitants per square kilometer. On the other hand, Andorra, with about 150 inhabitants per km², has a relatively high density. Nevertheless, this is still much lower than the density of the Barcelona metropolitan area, which reaches about 5,500 inhabitants per square kilometer.

Tuixent - La Vansa - A Haven for Nordic Skiing and Mountain Adventures

In the northern part of the Port del Comte massif, at Pla d'Arp, isolated from everything. A fantastic area, still quite wild and not overcrowded, that is adapting to life without snow for most of the year.

Cau de Llops - Mushing

Without a doubt, huskies are one of the main attractions of this valley. While mushing seems much more exciting, taking a snowshoeing route accompanied by one of these fantastic animals is both incredible and exhausting.

Dog-pulled scooter

Introduction to wheeled sledding

Cani-rando

Visits to the kennel

Their activity board

La Tossa Pelada - 2379 m

Snowshoeing and ski mountaineering routes in Tuixent - La Vansa. And if there’s no snow, it’s a great place for mountain hiking.

A la izquierda Montserrat
El Pedraforca
The Montsecs

L'Arp Refuge and Restaurant

It’s neither a conventional refuge nor a traditional restaurant.

Tuixent-la Vansa Nordic Ski Station

It’s a peaceful station for those looking to have fun without large crowds. There isn’t much parking space, so you need to arrive early or later in the day. It has a restaurant, a picnic area, and you can rent equipment such as snowshoes and skis...

Equipment Rental

Picnic Area

Coll de Port Refuge

Thursday, December 19, 2024

Capçaleres del Ter and Freser Natural Park - Ulldeter Refuge

The Refugi d'Ulldeter is located 20 minutes from the road that leads to the Vallter 2000 station, at the foot of the Gra de Fajol, very close to the source of the river Ter, in the glacial cirque of Ulldeter.

How to get there

From Setcases, we follow the road in the direction of the Vallter 2000 station, on a 12 km uphill route with numerous curves. After the first chairlift car park, you will find a sign indicating the way to the Ulldeter Refuge. You can park here; it is not necessary to reach the Vallter 2000 station. The path begins at a well-signposted curve, and from this point it is approximately a 20-minute climb to the refuge, following the GR11 markings.

Capçaleres del Ter and Freser Natural Park

The Capçaleres del Ter i del Freser Natural Park, declared as such in 2015, is located in the eastern Pyrenees, in Ripollès, with an area of ​​more than 14,000 hectares distributed among 7 municipalities.

The current relief is the result of the erosion produced by the water network after the various glaciations. Above 2,000 m, the entire surface was covered by ice platforms and glacial cirques, from which tongues of ice flowed through the valleys and could be 10 km long and up to 500 m thick.

Cirques and glaciers shaped the relief of the mountain range forming troughs, U-shaped valleys and periglacial sedimentary zones in the upper Ter valley and the Núria valley.

Within the Park there are many examples of glacial morphology: the Coma de l'Orri, the Coma de l'Embut, the Coma d'Eina, the Coma de Vaca, the Coma del Freser, all formed by glacial cirques like the Concros circus, the Ulldeter circus, or the Funnel circus. Currently, there are no glaciers.

Bastiments and Coll de la Geganta protect the waters of the Ter River. About 100 m from the old refuge is the source of the Ter river, which rises at 2,400 m at the foot of the ancient glacial cirque and is also protected by the Gra de Fajol and the Pic de la Dona.

The river takes a route of 208 km through several Catalan counties until it reaches its mouth at the beaches of Estartit and Pals.

Gra de Fajol
Bastiments
Old Ulldeter Refuge

Ulldeter Refuge

The New Ulldeter Refuge, inaugurated in 1959 and located at 2,221 meters above sea level, replaces the previous refuge, built in 1909 at 2,393 meters. This first refuge has the historical milestone of being the first mountain equipment in Spain, promoted by the Center Excursionista de Catalunya.

The Camprodon Valley

The Alta Vall del Ter is a paradise with very little human footprint, chosen by many wealthy people as a place of rest.

Camprodon
Catalan Pyrenean Horse Fair

The Mouth of the Ter

The Ter, after traveling 208 km, flows into L’Estartit, in front of the Medes Islands. Now that we have seen the beginning, we cannot miss the end; it’s fantastic.

What can I do in the Lands of Lleida?

Discover the natural wonders and cultural treasures of les Terres de Lleida, where ancient heritage blends with breathtaking landscapes ...