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Ruta de les Pedrisses

Route
29/09/2023
Index card

Introduction

Walking through the Valley of Núria (Vall de Núria) 

We present you an easy and flat route, at one of the most religious entrances of the Natural Park of the Headwaters of the Ter and Freser rivers: the Sanctuary of Núria, where we will have a first contact with the environments and landscapes of the Pyrenean high mountains. 

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  • Typology
    Time Circular
  • Difficulty
    For families
  • Duration
    1 hour 55 minutes
  • Slope
    219.00 meters
  • Distance
    5.10 km
  • Theme
    Flora and fauna
    Geologia
    Landscaping
  • Activity
    By foot
  • Rating

Slope graph

Description

Walking through the Valley of Núria (Vall de Núria) 

We present you an easy and flat route, at one of the most religious entrances of the Natural Park of the Headwaters of the Ter and Freser rivers: the Sanctuary of Núria, where we will have a first contact with the environments and landscapes of the Pyrenean high mountains. 

To reach the starting point, we must leave the car at the Ribes de Freser or Queralbs station, and go up to the Sanctuary of Núria by the rack railway. At the Sanctuary, we connect to a cable car that quickly takes us to the Pic de l'Àliga Hostel. In 30 minutes, we climb 800 m in altitude, reaching 2150 m. 
 
Now, we can start walking along a flat trail, on the mountain side of the viewpoint's esplanade. The beginning and the entire route are well signposted. Without significant slopes or changes in elevation, crossing some small streams, we head south towards the Coll de les Pedrisses, through an alpine landscape dominated by pastures. It is the path from Les Pedrisses to the Pic de l'Àliga Hostel (yellow signs). The breadth of the landscape, the views of the surrounding peaks, and the steep descent towards the narrow Núria Gorges, where we recently ascended with the rack railway, impress those who are not accustomed. 
 
Before reaching the Coll de les Pedrisses, below us, we can already see the path we will return on: the Camí dels Enginyers, GR11. We reach the pass, marked and with an interpretive panel. The place is wonderful and invites us to make a good stop to orient ourselves and identify the nearby reliefs; pay attention to discovering large mammals grazing or large raptors perched on the spikes of the rocky slope that falls towards the Freser Valley. Keep in mind that we can encounter wildlife at any time, with the best chances during the first and last hours of the day. 
 
We return via the GR11, Camí dels Enginyers, which is flatter than the path we took. Be careful, because now we head directly to the Sanctuary passing below the Hostel.  

The landscape is similar, but now, with opposite views, meaning north towards the Núria circus, with the Pic de Noufonts in the middle of the panorama. 
 
The path passes through the upper edge of the black pine forests, which grow on the right slopes of the Núria gorges. Soon, we see the Pic de l'Àliga Hostel and the Puig de Fontnegra and the Cim de la Coma del Clot on its right. We cross the Fontnegra Torrent at the Coma del Clot gorge, through a nook where the blackthorn grows. Next, on a steeper but still flat path, we pass below the hostel without seeing it and reach a point where, looking down, the path heads towards the Núria Gorges, and in the middle of the gorge, the summit of Taga dominates the scene. 
 
We climb slightly and reach a clearing just below the hostel, and if necessary, we can get there again in 5 minutes. Around us, there are different Stations of the Way of the Cross with quite relevant sculptural installations; one of the stops is at the Stations of the Cross viewpoint, where we see below us the Creu d'en Riba viewpoint, on the path that descends from Núria to Queralbs. If we look north, we will enjoy views of the Sanctuary, the lake, and the Núria Circus. 
 
Now, all that remains is to descend to the Sanctuary, making a stop at the birdwatching hideout where, with patience and luck, we may surprise some woodland bird seeking food among the dry trees in front of us. 
 
We arrive at the Sanctuary, and if we have time, we can visit and learn about the legend of the Olla de Núria or relax our legs by walking around the lake shore. 

Tips

ROUTE

  • Flat route with a slight ascent
  • First, we follow yellow signs, and then we return via the Camí dels Enginyers GR11
  • Start of the route at the Hostel. If you do it in the opposite direction, you will end up at the Pic de l'Àliga Hostel, and you can descend to the Sanctuary on foot or by cable car. It's also fine.

WATER

  • There are no fountains
  • At the Pic de l'Àliga Hostel or the Sanctuary

WARNINGS

  • You are almost at 2,000 m in altitude. The weather can change rapidly.
  • It's a high mountain route that should be done without snow. With snow, conditions would change significantly.
  • Protection against cold, wind, and sun.
  • In the afternoon, the temperature drops rapidly.
  • Avoid undertaking the route with unstable weather forecast. Although it's very short, we can always return quickly.
  • Remember that you are in a protected area, and it's essential to respect the fauna and flora, and not leave trash in the mountains.
  • Also, respect the grazing livestock and always keep dogs on a leash.
  • The more unnoticed your presence is, the more immersive the experience will be.

WEATHER

  • Avoid strong sun exposure. Wear protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses). The sun in high mountains is very strong.
  • In case of forecasted rain or strong winds, wear appropriate clothing. 
  • If the day is cloudy, it will obscure the views of the Coll de les Pedrisses. 

TERRAIN

  • Easy
  • Meadows can be slippery when wet.
  • The trails in the meadows, made for cows, can be uncomfortable to walk on.

EQUIPMENT

  • Appropriate clothing for cold, rain, or windy conditions.
  • Binoculars are essential for detecting and enjoying wildlife. 
  • Camera for enjoying landscapes and flowers.
  • Nature guides to identify plants and birds.
  • A map will help us identify the relief around us. 

OTHER FACILITIES

  • At the Pic de l'Àliga Hostel, you can stay overnight and eat. Tables and benches outside. 
  • The Sanctuary of Núria. 
  • At the viewpoint and Coll del Pedrisses, there is an informative panel. 
  • Birdwatching hideout below the Pic de l'Àliga Hostel. 

 

 

 

 

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What is there

What to see in: Ruta de les Pedrisses

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Geologia

Point of interest
Geology
03/10/2023

The Pyrenees is a mountain range formed over 80 million years ago due to the collision of the Iberian and Eurasian tectonic plates, which caused the uplifting and stacking of rocks between the two...

Junipers 

Point of interest
Flora
03/10/2023

We are at an altitude of 2,100 m, at the lower limit of the alpine stage of grassy meadows and the upper limit of the subalpine stage of black pine forest. 
The north-facing slopes are often more...

Monkshood 

Point of interest
Flora
03/10/2023

Aconitum napellus 

Monkshood is a highly attractive plant, but if eaten, it is deadly; we are facing the most toxic plant in Europe. This is due to the presence of two extremely toxic substances...

Solifluction 

Point of interest
Geology
03/10/2023

On these gently sloping slopes, do you see a sort of stepped pattern? It looks like there are many paths perpendicular to the slope forming these "steps".  
 
Well, currently, even though there are no...

Wild ungulates 

Point of interest
Wildlife
03/10/2023

If you are lucky enough, in a single outing through these valleys, we could find roe deer in the lower parts closer to the forest and chamois and mouflons in the upper meadows. The altitude...

Meadows

Point of interest
Environment
03/10/2023

Naturally, above 2200 m, the black pine is already small and struggles to thrive. This is where we find the dominance of grasses (fescues, sedges) that serve as food for domestic and wild herbivores...

Mountain Flowers 

Point of interest
Flora
03/10/2023

When spring arrives in the mountains and the snow in the meadows melts, a mosaic of a thousand colors and shapes emerges, filling these habitats with life. The one responsible for this spectacular...

Coll de les Pedrisses

Point of interest
Wildlife
03/10/2023

Before telling you about one of the great birds of prey you can see here, don't overlook: 

  • The shepherd's hut below us. Where shepherds stayed close to the flock. 
  • Enjoy distant views (Montserrat...

Camí dels enginyers GR 11

Point of interest
Landscapes
03/10/2023

The Camí dels Enginyers GR-11.7 takes us from Núria to the Coma de Vaca refuge. 10 km, 3.5 h, and 350 m of elevation gain. 
 
It seems to owe its name to being the path used by engineers who conducted...

The Black Pine 

Point of interest
Flora
03/10/2023

The dominant tree at this altitude and up to 2300 meters (if not cut for pasture favoring) is the Black Pine (1600-2300 m). Black pines have occasionally been found at 2700 m. The wind, lack of...

Meadow birds 

Point of interest
Wildlife
03/10/2023

Like plants, birds also vary depending on the landscape. 
 
Up here in the subalpine meadows, above the threshold of the black pine forest, we find birds of open spaces that like to be on the ground...

The Boxwood (Neret) 

Point of interest
Flora
03/10/2023

The boxwood, also known as Núria's boxwood, dominates the shrub layer of black pine forests and can be found between 1,500 and 2,500 meters in altitude in the Pyrenees. 

With persistent leaves, it...

Invasive Plants

Point of interest
Flora
03/10/2023

If you look up where we are, a yellow-flowered plant, like a daisy, descends along the entire stream, very beautiful. It's Senecio del Cap (Senecio inaequides). It is found especially on the edges of...

Núria Gorges 

Point of interest
Geology
03/10/2023

The materials that make up the rocky substrate of Núria are among the oldest in the Pyrenees, with radiometric records exceeding 540 million years of age. In the gorges of the Núria River, we find...

Way of the Cross Viewpoint  

Point of interest
Wildlife
03/10/2023

We approach a small, gentle, flat, and fertile pass where animals like to graze and rest. 

Both domestic and wild herbivores gather in these spaces. In the more distant valleys, it's likely to come...

Forest Birds and the Sanctuary of Núria

Point of interest
Wildlife
03/10/2023
  • First, you can enter the hide and then, from the side of the outer bench, peek over the Sanctuary and the Olla de Núria

From here, you can observe forest birds in the trees around the hide. Small...

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