Best hikes in la Vall de Núria: from beginner to expert

Find out the best hikes in Vall de Núria, with options for all levels and physical conditions!

La Vall de Núria is one of my favourite Pyrenees areas. Only accessible by rack railway or walking, at the end of this valley there is a hotel, a hostel, and a camping area at a place that would usually be deserted. Its lake, its calm and relaxed ambient, and the mountains surrounding will leave you speechless.

Moreover, la Vall de Núria is fantastic for hiking and climbing mountains. Especially during the summer season, the valley is full of people of all ages that choose between the long list of hikes that start at la Vall de Núria.

Having visited and hiked in this area since I was born (I can’t remember how many times I’ve been there), I can say that there are some hikes that deserve to be mentioned. These are my 8 favorite hikes to do in la Vall de Núria.

Each of them is recommended for a specific physical condition. I strongly encourage you to not overestimate your capacities. When hiking, better safe than sorry.

Easy hikes in La Vall de Núria

La Vall de Núria Lake

Difficulty: Easy – Time: 30′ – Elevation Gain: 0m

This is the easiest hike on the list. A very easy 30’ promenade that circles the artificial lake that dominates the valley. People of all ages and conditions should be able to complete it. Very recommended after dinner, especially during summer, with more sunlight hours. Being the easiest hike comes with some inconveniences. It is also the most famous and crowded route on this list, without any doubt. Yet, if you spend a night at the valley after the last train has left, crowds also disappear. Another good reason to leave it for a before or after dinner stroll.

Midway through it, you can get to a viewpoint that offers a fantastic view over the lake and the Sanctuary.

Camí de les coves (Caves path)

Difficulty: Easy – Time: 1h – Elevation Gain: 190m

Another easy hike, although this one has some degree of difficulty, compared to the promenade around the lake. This 3,5km path offers fantastic views over the valley, the sanctuary, and the lake. The starting point of the hike is just next to the horse’s area, where one can see the signal of “Camí de les Coves”. After a short ascension, there is a first viewpoint, followed by the first of the two caves that can be found. From there, the views are impressive and well worth the effort. At the second cave, there is maybe the best viewpoint, and from there, we take the way down to the valley.

This hike is especially recommended for families with children or people that want a short hike but impressive views.

Camí de les Creus (Crosses path)

Difficulty: Easy – Time: 50′ – Elevation Gain: 180m

This is the third fairly easy hike. In fact, it is almost like the previous one. Like the Camí de les Coves, families will enjoy it, but also more senior hikers. In fact, there is more than one way to do this hike.

From the sanctuary and hotel, one can see the hostel at the top of a small hill. Our route will bring us to the hostel, with some impressive views over the valley. This hike gets its name from the Christian Way of The Cross tradition, with twelve crosses along the way.

Despite being an easy hike, there are a few steep sections. Another option is to take the funicular to the Hostel and descend the Cami de Les Creus, avoiding the steep ascension. Of course, this could be done reversely, walking up and descending with the funicular. One way or another, don’t forget to enjoy the views that this hike offers of la Vall de Núria.

Medium hikes in La Vall de Núria

Pic de l’Àliga (Eagle’s peak)

Difficulty: Easy-Medium – Time: 2h – Elevation Gain: 440m Strava track (running): here

This is one of the most popular hikes in Vall de Núria. An easy-medium difficulty hike, climbing to the top of an iconic peak (Pic de l’Àliga), which gives name to the hostel that stands beneath it. This is the easiest peak that can be climbed from Vall de Núria.

Part of its route is shared with the Crosses path. However, I would recommend following the stilted road instead of the path. Steeper but also faster. Once at the hostel, admire the view. Behind it, there are some indicators, one of them saying Pic de l’Àliga. The route is pretty straightforward and easy to follow.

After climbing around 500mts, you will reach the peak. From there, the views over the valley and the nearby area are breathtaking, especially at sunrise. Not very tired? Keep walking and reach Roques Blanques, the small peak that stands in front of Pic de l’Àliga.

This route is strongly recommended for families with children that have already been hiking for some time, or for people that want a short hike followed by a beer at the hostel/hotel’s bar.

Difficult hikes in La Vall de Núria

After Pic de l’Àliga, the difficulty increases exponentially. It goes from a short familiar hike to some of the beasts of the valley. A very characteristic feature of the valley is that it is surrounded by mountains on all sides. This allows hikers to decide which of the many peaks is their goal of the day, and to include more than one by doing circular routes. The following three routes (except the last one) have similar degrees of difficulty. They are long, with steep and somewhat technical sections, and will take you more than a couple of hours to complete. These are hikes for people with some experience. Otherwise, it is likely that the day after the hike you will be all cramped and unable to walk.

Pic de Finestrelles – Pic de Núria – Pic d’Eina

Difficulty: Medium-Hard – Time: 4h – Elevation Gain: 1000m – Strava track: here

There are three main valleys that start at la Vall de Núria: finestrelles, Noucreus/Noufonts and Eina. The last one is without any doubt my favourite. Less frequented, the valley leads to one of the windiest peaks I have ever been, Pic d’Eina (Eyne in French, as it is part of the border between Spain and France). Find the Strava route in the link above, as it is quite long and not that easy to explain. In a nutshell, reach the end of the valley, hike to your left and follow the ridge until it goes to the right. At the col, Pic d’Eina will be at your right. It is quite common to see chamois in this area, especially if you start hiking early in the morning!

From there, you have 2 options (well, more, in fact, as you will see below). Go back to the valley, or take the route that crests to the nearby peaks, Pic de Núria and Pic de Finestrelles, one of the tallest of the valley.

The second option is the one that I recommend. Not only does it have some amazing views over the valley, but you get to climb some other peaks. The descent starts at coll de Finestrelles, very easy to identify. After climbing the highest peak of the day, the route goes down to the col, where you can either go to France (right side), to Segre Peak (in front of you), or back to the valley (at your left).

Puigmal

Difficulty: Medium-Hard – Time: 3h30′ – Elevation Gain: 960m

If there is one iconic peak to climb at Vall de núria, it is Puigmal. At 2909mts, it is the highest peak of the valley and of the Girona Pyrenees.  Yet, it is relatively easy to climb the mountain. Its difficulty does not come from a technical point of view, but from a physical one. It is a long hike, with a quite steep ascension. Not more than any of the other options (Pic de Noucreus and Pic d’Eina – Pic de Finestrelles), but still a relevant elevation gain.

Nonetheless, this is one of the peaks that everyone visiting La Vall de Núria (in the right conditions) has to climb. Hiking all the way up to the highest point of the area is amazing, and the views from the top are well worth it. Note that, unlike the other peaks mentioned here, there are no direct views over the valley from Puigmal.

There are other possible routes to hike to the Puigmal peak. One of those starts a Fontalba, and it is probably the easiest one, as the starting point is slightly higher than Vall de Núria. The other option is to start from France but to be honest, I have never taken that route.

Pic de Noucreus

Difficulty: Medium-Hard – Time: 4h – Elevation Gain: 840m

If you place yourself in front of the Church of la Núria Sanctuary, at your left you have the path to Pigmal. In front of you, behind the sanctuary, there are the paths to Finestrelles, Eina, Segre… Almost behind you, the Hostel Pic de l’Àliga and the mountain that gives its name. On the right, though, there is the entry to another valley, one of the most popular ones in Núria: Noucreus and Noufonts.

Noucreus means Nine Crosses, and Noufonts, Nine Fountains. The hike proposed here only goes to Noucreus, but these two peaks are quite close, so it is completely doable to hike both of them in one day.

This is a beautiful but demanding hike. Like the previous ones, around 900mts of elevation gain, and an especially steep last section will be the hardest part of the hike. Once at the top (where you will find 9 crosses), be careful, especially if it is a bit windy.

As mentioned before, consider hiking to the peak on the left, Noufonts. It is worth it and it will only add around 1-2km to your route!

Olla de Núria

Difficulty: Hard- Time: 7h – Elevation Gain: 1800m

Did you like the previous hikes? Are you in a really good physical condition? Then you might want to try la Olla de Núria. This is an epic and iconic route that covers all the peaks of the valley. As I mentioned before, la Vall de Núria is surrounded by mountains, and this circular route will bring you to the peak of every single one.

Being a circular route, it can be started at any of its ends. Either climb first Puigmal or Pic de l’Àliga. No matter what route you choose, it will be a challenging climb. With a total of 22.8km and 1800mts of elevation gain, this is a long and excruciating route. Some people choose to run instead of walk, as it significantly reduces the time spent in the mountains. Others instead, choose to sleep in the mountains and enjoy the sunrise from there.

Starting from el Puigmal, you will climb Puigmal, Pic de Segre, Pic de Finestrelles, Pic de Núria, Pic d’Eina, Pic de Noufonts, Pic de Noucreus, Pic de Fontnegre and Pic de l’Àliga. To be honest, there are 17 peaks in this route, but the ones mentioned are the most important ones.

Nowadays there are many people that try to accomplish this route. Fortunately, if after 3 or 4 peaks you are too tired, there is a “safe exit”. It is always possible to take any of the descent routes (coll de Finestrelles, coll d’Eina, coll de Noufonts…) and get back to the valley. In fact, one of the routes mentioned above, Pic d’Eina – Pic de Núria – Pic de Finestrelles, is just part of la Olla de Núria.

These are 8 hikes to do in la Vall de Núria, with options for all levels and physical conditions. Remember to always check the weather forecast and have the right gear. Oh, and don’t overestimate your physical condition. Besides that, enjoy one of the unspoiled hidden gems of the Catalan Pyrenees!

If you have any questions, you can find me on Instagram (@aniolvisuals), or you can reach me out using the contact form. Looking for more Pyrenees and Catalunya guides? Find some below!