The Pyrenees of Catalonia is one of the most popular weekend breaks from Barcelona for all nature lovers. While the mountain range of the Pyrenees stretches along the Spain-France border for over 400 km, the Catalan part is the easiest to explore on any Barcelona road trip.

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A Weekend in the Pyrenees of Catalonia

The Catalan Pyrenees Travel Guide

The Pyrenees of Catalonia, or the Catalan Pyrenees, lie in the northeastern corner of Spain, within the autonomous community of Catalonia. This majestic mountain range is part of the greater Pyrenees, which form the natural divide between Spain and France, stretching from the western border with Aragon to the east, where the mountains gently meet the Mediterranean Sea.

In this post, I’ll share a detailed itinerary, along with helpful tips and my own reflections on visiting the Catalan Pyrenees. As one of my all-time favorite destinations, the Pyrenees never fail to draw me back each season. This year, I had the pleasure of hosting my parents, and we decided to spend a weekend in the Catalan Pyrenees, embracing the beauty of its trails together. While I’ve cherished memories from a skiing trip to Baqueira in the past, this time, hiking in Aigüestortes and exploring the Romanesque churches of the region far surpassed my expectations of the Catalan Pyrenees, revealing new wonders I had yet to discover during this unforgettable mountain getaway.

Unique experiences to book in the Pyrenees

There are a few unique experiences you can book in the Spanish Pyrenees in advance: Via Ferrata K3. Climbing Experience, Pyrenees Paragliding Experience, and Hot Air Balloon Ride and Breakfast over the Volcanoes of la Garrotxa. Also, you can read more about my hiking essentials in this post.

Weekend in the mountains: Exploring the Pyrenees of Catalonia

Day 1 Aiguestortes National Park + Vall de Boi

Hiking Ruta del Planell de Aiguestortes y Estany Llong

Exploring the Catalan Pyrenees always includes a visit to Spain’s top national park, Aiguestortes (full name: Aiguestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici). This natural wonder offers a variety of hiking routes, including the Ruta de la Ribera de Sant Nicolau, Ruta de la Marmota, Ruta hacia las Agulles d’Amitges, Ruta del Circ de Colomers, and Ruta de los Estanys de la Vall Fosca. To gather detailed information and pick up a free map, you can stop by one of the park’s Visitor Centers in the villages of Boi, Espot, Llessui, Estany Gento, or Senet.

The trail I was most excited to explore during our weekend in the mountains was the Ruta del Planell de Aiguestortes y Estany Llong, which is considered the most famous one. We began our day early, arriving at the charming village of Boi to take the official shuttle service into the heart of Aiguestortes National Park (the round-trip fare is approximately 11 euros per person). To help preserve the park’s pristine beauty, local authorities restrict access to private vehicles, so the only other option is to embark on an extra 12-kilometer hike from Parking de la Molina to the park (this route is called Ruta de la Nutria). We opted for the 9.5 km hike with the shuttle, rather than tackling the full 22 km route, which would have combined both Ruta de la Nutria and the Ruta del Planell de Aiguestortes y Estany Llong.

The natural beauty of Aiguestortes National Park was simply breathtaking – undoubtedly one of the most stunning landscapes in Spain. Since we visited in October, the trail was pleasantly quiet, and the fall foliage was beginning to emerge. The hike culminated at the crystal-clear Estany Llong Lake, one of the most serene lakes in Spain. At this point, you can either return or continue further towards Portarro d’Espot, Estany de Ratera, or Estany de Sant Maurici, each offering its own unique viewpoints and scenic beauty.

The entire Ruta del Planell de Aiguestortes y Estany Llong took us around 3 to 3.5 hours, and for the most part, it was a pleasant, leisurely walk – one that would be easy to enjoy with children, making it a perfect family adventure in the Pyrenees.

The Catalan Cuisine in the Pyrenees

After our active morning of hiking, we headed to a local restaurant, El Caliu Taüll, in the small town of Taüll (considered one of the prettiest villages in the Pyrenees) for lunch.

As you know, I love trying local food in Spanish villages. This time, we enjoyed two gems of Catalan cuisine: vianda (also known as escudella in Spanish), a traditional meat and vegetable stew, and mel i mató (a Catalan dessert made with cottage cheese and honey). You can read more about the food of the Pyrenees in this post.

Romanesque Churches of Vall de Boi

After lunch, I finally had the chance to visit the famous Romanesque Churches of Vall de Boí, considered one of the most unique and beautiful landmarks in the Pyrenees.

In the Vall de Boí region, you’ll find nine unique churches from the 11th century, all of which are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Some of these churches are not open year-round, but each one has something truly special that makes it worth the visit.

To make the most of your time in the valley, I recommend purchasing a combined ticket for access to several churches (either at the ticket counter or online). You can choose from a 3-church pass for 7 euros or a 5-church pass for 10 euros per person. We opted for the 3-church pass, and considering the general entrance fee for each church is 2 euros (and 4 euros for the church in Taüll with its unique video show), the combined ticket was definitely a good deal.

Our first stop was Sant Climent de Taüll, where we were captivated by the unique video presentation (screened daily at 10:15, 11:00, 12:00, 12:45, 13:30, 16:15, 17:00, 17:45, and 18:30). Afterward, we made a quick visit to Santa Maria de Taüll, the only Romanesque church in the area with free entry.

Next, we headed to Sant Joan de Boí in the village of Boí to admire its stunning mural paintings. From there, we ventured to Santa Eulalia d’Erill la Vall, where we climbed to the top of the bell tower for one of the best panoramic views in the valley. Inside the church, I was particularly struck by the replica of the wooden sculptural ensemble of the Descent from the Cross (the originals are split between the National Museum of Art of Catalonia and the Episcopal Museum in Vic).

Day 2 Bausen + Uelhs deth joeu + Vielha

Bosque de Carlac

On the second day of our weekend in the Pyrenees, I decided to visit one of the magical forests in Spain – the enchanting Bosque de Carlac. Originally, my plan for the day was to visit Congost de Montrebei, but since I couldn’t secure a parking spot the day before, I decided not to risk it (as this hike requires parking in designated areas). Fortunately, the Pyrenees offer a wealth of stunning hiking trails, and we quickly found another adventure.

So, we set off to explore the Ruta del Bosque de Carlac, located in the tiny village of Bausen. Although several Spanish websites described the hike as an easy walk, I found it to be quite the opposite. My parents gave me a few questioning looks as we climbed upward on the slippery rocks. In reality, Bosque de Carlac is an intermediate-level, 6.5 km trail with an elevation gain of +275 meters. It’s a circular route, though we opted to go clockwise, unlike most of the other hikers we encountered along the way. Visiting both Bausen and Bosque de Carlac was like stepping into another era: everything seemed frozen in time, from the abandoned local houses to the towering, ancient trees. This lesser-known trail is quickly becoming one of my favorite hikes in Spain.

The mysterious legend in Bausen

Additionally, the quaint village of Bausen holds a captivating tale that will intrigue fans of Spanish legends and mysterious places in Spain. The village is home to a strange and poignant local story from the early 20th century.

Legend has it that two villagers, Francisco and Teresa, were deeply in love and wished to marry. However, the local priest demanded a hefty sum to bless their union, citing their familial relationship as cousins – an obstacle the church could not overlook without financial compensation. With no money to offer, the couple lived together anyway, raising two children before eventually leaving Bausen. Tragically, Teresa fell ill and passed away at the young age of 33. Yet, the church refused to allow her partner to bury her in the village cemetery, due to their disapproved marriage.

In defiance of the church’s ruling, the local community came together to help Francisco secretly bury Teresa in Bausen. This act of rebellion was extraordinary for such a small, traditional village in the early 1900s, and it remains a haunting chapter in the village’s history. Today, Teresa’s tomb officially represents the smallest cemetery in all of Spain.

Lunch on the road

After hiking in Bausen, we made a stop for lunch at Boixetes de Cal Manel, where we enjoyed two local dishes – olla aranesa (a local meat soup) and arroz de montaña (similar to the rice meal I had in la borda of Andorra last winter).

Uelhs deth Joeu

After our lunch break, we made our way to the Uelhs deth Joeu waterfall, another must-visit while exploring the Pyrenees of Catalonia. The waterfall is easily accessible, with parking nearby. However, I’ve read on Spanish websites that during the summer months, private vehicles are often restricted from the area, and a tourist train is provided instead (I recommend double-checking this if you plan to visit during the peak season).

From the waterfall, we took a 15-minute walk up the stairs towards Refugi Plan de L’Artiga de Lin. As we ascended, the forest suddenly opened up to reveal a breathtaking valley, encircled by the Pyrenees on three sides. This unexpected discovery quickly became one of the most stunning landscapes I’ve encountered in the Pyrenees. So, if you don’t mind a little extra walking, I highly recommend venturing beyond the Uelhs deth Joeu waterfall – you won’t regret it.

As the day came to a close, we made our way to Vielha for dinner, where we also picked up a few souvenirs for the family. Afterward, we returned to our hotel. If we had more time, I would have loved to visit Termas Baronia de Les – a hidden gem of a spa that dates back to Roman times, offering a serene escape with deep historical roots on the Iberian Peninsula.

Books about the Pyrenees

If you’re seeking additional inspiration or wish to immerse yourself in the history and practical details of the Pyrenees, there are several books that might capture your interest. Consider Shorter Treks in the Pyrenees, Explore Pyrenees Like A Local or Walks and Climbs in the Pyrenees (with a focus on the French side). If you’re planning to read about the Pyrenees during your road trip, be sure to explore Footprints on the mountains, Boundaries, The Savage Frontier, Cruel Crossing, and If you only walk long enough. Alternatively, you can check out something from the contemporary Spanish bestsellers or Wanderlust Books.

If you’re fluent in Spanish, you’ll find further treasures like Pirineos. Mas allá de las montañas, Los Pirineos, Leyendas de brujas en el Pirineo fantástico, Pirineos: 50 joyas del arte románico, Pirineos : montaña sublime, and 101 Lugares de los Pirineos sorprendentes.

Which part of the Pyrenees is the best?

The Spanish Pyrenees stretch for more than 400 km along the Spain-France border, encompassing three Spanish regions: Aragon, Navarra, and Catalonia. On the other side, the French Pyrenees are known for iconic places like the Cirque de Gavarnie, but they are more developed for tourism compared to the Spanish side.

The Catalan Pyrenees are often considered the most popular part of the mountain range, home to one of Spain’s national parks, Aigüestortes, and the popular ski resort of Baqueira-Beret. While I love exploring the Catalan Pyrenees, my personal favorite area of the mountain range is the Aragonese Pyrenees, as it is full of hidden gems and receives fewer visitors. Although I admit that this is more of a personal preference than an objective conclusion, since all the different parts of the Pyrenees are unique.

Favorite hotels to stay in the Pyrenees

For this weekend in the Catalan Pyrenees, we chose the budget-friendly Apartamentos Chuandervera in the small town of Laspaules. Depending on availability for this itinerary, you can also book accommodation in the Vall d’Aran area: Hotel & Restaurante Peña, Parador de Vielha, Hotel Vielha Val d’Aran, and Hotel Viella. You can find more options on the map below.

Tips for planning a trip to the Pyrenees

Unless you have two full weeks for an unforgettable road trip (which I couldn’t recommend more), the best approach is to focus on one of the three main regions of the Pyrenees – Aragon, Catalonia, or Navarra. While the roads are in good condition, they are mountain routes, meaning travel between destinations can take longer than expected. For a quick preview of my own Pyrenees adventures, feel free to browse these highlights on Instagram.

If you have a bit more time to spare for your Pyrenees journey, consider one of these extended itineraries: 10-Day Pyrenees Itinerary from Madrid, 7-day Pyrenees Road Trip from Barcelona, Aragon road trip itinerary, Weekend in Lleida, Costa Brava Road Trip, or Northern Spain Road Trip Itinerary. Each of these can be easily combined with a scenic exploration of the Catalan Pyrenees, if you decide to stay in the area longer.

Read more about the Pyrenees

• Top Adventurous Things to Do in the Pyrenees (read it)
• Beautiful Small Towns in the Spanish Pyrenees (read it)
• Exploring The Pre-Pyrenees of Spain: A weekend in Sierra de Guara (read it)
• Cogost de Montrebei: The Most Adventurous Hike in Spain (read it)
• Epic 7 Days in the Pyrenees of Spain (read it)
• 10-Day Pyrenees Itinerary: An Ultimate Road Trip from Madrid (read it)
• Hiking Trails in The Pyrenees You Can Not Miss (read it)
• Top Beautiful Places to Visit in the Spanish Pyrenees (read it)
• 5 Epic Reasons to Visit the Pyrenees with Kids (read it)
• Top Romantic Things to do in Andorra (read it)
• The Spanish Pyrenees Road Trip 4-Day Itinerary (read it)
• Skiing in Spain: Our Baqueira Beret Family Getaway (read it)
• Top Things to Do in Andorra (read it)
• Best Foods in the Pyrenees of Spain (read it)
• 3 days in the Pyrenees of Aragon with Seniors & Kids (read it)

For more Spain travel tips check out my Pinterest board Spain Travel Collection and Flipboard Travel to Spain.

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