Ruta de les Pedrisses

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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.