Discover what are the top attractions of la Vall de Núria. Explore one of the most beautiful valleys of the Pyrenees!
Hidden in the middle of the Catalan Pyrenees, there is la Vall de Núria. A sanctuary with a winter resort and some of the most beautiful landscapes of the Pyrenees. Accessible only walking or with a rack railway, it is a unique place to visit and explore in Catalunya. Although it is in the middle of the mountains (Vall literally means valley in Catalan), there are lodging options for everyone. From a 3-star hotel to a hostel or even a camping site. No matter if you are visiting la Vall de Núria during the warm Spanish summer or with the freezing winter temperatures, there are always amazing things to do, see and explore.
The sanctuary
According to the legend, Saint Giles visited and lived in this area for some years. During this time he crafted an image of a virgin, which he hid as he was being prosecuted for being Christian. Tradition says a pilgrim had a dream and started looking for the image in the area, and when he found it, he placed it at a small chapel he had built. Truth is that in la Vall de núria there is a sanctuary with a 12th-century romanesque image.
The first building that catches our attention when arriving at Núria is its sanctuary, the church. Attached to it there is the winter resort, the hotel, which is open almost 365 days a year. It is worth entering the church and admiring the image, placed at a special place.
The lake
However, if we ask everyone what is the first thing they see when they arrive at la Vall de Núria, the most common answer (or the only one) will be the lake. This is what makes this place special and unique. A beautiful lake dominates the area, with a very pleasant circular path around it. During summer it is possible to rent a boat and spend some quality time rowing with the family or friends.
Visiting la Vall de Núria during winter is also amazing. The snow, the frozen lake… It is worth taking the rack railway and spending a couple of days at the resort, even if skiing is not among your hobbies.
Hiking
If there is something that characterizes la Vall de Núria is its amazing hiking (and skiing) routes. It is a very good base point to climb some of the highest mountains of Catalunya, being one of them the “Puigmal”, that with 2909mts height it is one of the highest mountains of the eastern Pyrenees. However, there are plenty of other routes in the area, ask at the hotel or hostel entrance (I highly recommend the Noufonts and Noucreus route, an impressive hike with some amazing views).
No matter your level or physical condition, there are hikes for everyone. Just be respectful with nature and know your limits. Try not to hike alone if you don’t know the area or the weather conditions are not optimal. For those who love photography, misty and moody conditions can help create amazing landscape images.
Wildlife
If you have never seen chamois, vultures, groundhogs… this is the right place to admire them. It is very easy to see animals in their natural habitat, although there are some basic and logical recommendations to follow:
- Don’t bother them: shouting or throwing them rocks will not help.
- Wake up early: just after sunrise, it’s the best moment to find the animals. They are more active and there are fewer people in the area.
- Walk a bit: yes, it is possible to see them just next to the lake, but going deep in any of the nearby valleys will help a lot.
Of course, during winter things change, as the conditions are complicated, both for humans and for the other animals. If you don’t see any of them, though, there are horses, cows, and a small farm just next to the hotel. A perfect place for children to observe, learn and interact with animals.
Ride the cable car
After reaching the rack railway station, there will be 2 options; either going to the hotel or camping site or taking the cable car to reach the hostel. Even if you take the first one, it is highly recommended to take the cable car and see la Vall de Núria from a completely different point of view. The image below is from the old cable car. Due to the 2020 pandemic, I have not been able to update my images. In 2020 the cable car has been renovated. Can’t wait to be up there again!
A good plan would be to ride the cable car to the hostel and viewpoint and then walk the way back to the hotel. If you prefer hiking the way up it is also possible, of course. From the hostel and the viewpoint, it is possible to climb the “Pic de l’Àliga”, Eagle’s Peak in English. A nice hike although it can get a bit busy as it is well known and not very difficult.
BONUS: Photography spots
As a photographer, I have had some impressive experiences at la Vall de Núria. I can’t recall the number of times I have been there. However, every time I am up there, I have this feeling of being somewhere new, with lots of photographic opportunities. These are my (so-far) favorite photography spots of la Vall de Núria.
The sanctuary
Although the winter resort is attached to it, it is possible to capture just the sanctuary with some creativity. Frame it between leaves, plants or flowers for a perfect result.
Reflections
These are the easiest photos to take at la Vall de Núria, as long as there is no wind. Early mornings tend to give better results, but nothing is set in stone in the mountains. Weather changes fast, and conditions can vary multiple times during one single day.
Boats
The little boats and canoes are one of my favourite photographic elements of the lake. They can be used as the foreground for the sanctuary/resort or for the mountains behind the lake. Or they can be the only element of the image!
Rack Railway
This distinctive element of la Vall de Núria is quite easy to capture. Just look at the timetables, and be ready to photograph it. There are multiple possible angles, explore a bit and be creative!
La Creu de’n Riba viewpoint
When doing the hike aorund the lake, hike a bit more and reach this viewpoint. If you choose to walk to La Vall de Núria, this will be the first impression you will get from the place. Not a bad way to start, right?
Saint Giles Chapel
This little chapel by the lake, combined with a good reflection makes my all-time favourite Vall de Núria photography. The first beams of sun, silence, and a solitaire shooting session. Every landscape photographer’s dream!
Conclusion
Visiting la Vall de Núria is totally worth it. It is a perfect daytrip hike, or an ideal base to explore the nearby mountains. Or just a place to forget about the world and enjoy some fresh air, silence and nature.
If you liked this article, consider following me on Instagram, where I share photos of my trips and adventures around the world. If you have any questions drop them in the comments! For other inquiries write me a message at hello@aniolvisuals.com .Find below other possible activities to do in Catalunya.
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