A region filled with mountain villages, snowy peaks, and dormant volcanoes is bound to be full of adventure. Whether it’s soft adventure, cultural adventure, or heart pounding adventure, there are plenty of things to do in the Pyrenees. In fact, the Spanish Pyrenees has something for everyone!
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Biking in the Pyrenees
Experiencing the rural cultures and day-to-day life on two wheels is a super way to get deeper into an area. There are many routes that are very advanced, but I stuck to the easier rides since I was on vacation!
I biked through the dirt roads and forest trails in the Les Preses area with Bicicarill. We started in town but soon wound our way down farm roads and into the forests where we were greeted with a series of paths and trails to choose from. And don’t be surprised when you come across an old church tucked away deep in the forest. It made it all seem like a fairy tale as if a little gnome was going to walk out and greet us.
Try an Electric Bike for the Pyrenees
If you would like a little help on the hills, try out the electric bike options around the Pyrenees. I rode with www.cercleaventura.com through the backroads and fields near Bolvir, along the Sant Jaume road. They offered electric bikes, which were perfect for cruising and providing just a little boost to get you up and down the hilly terrain.
Hiking in the Pyrenees
There’s plenty of hiking options in the Pyrenees. In fact, there is an extensive, long distance trail system (550+ miles) traversing the length of the Pyrenees that I now have my eye on called GR 11, also known as the ruta Transpirenaica in Spain.
Vall de Nuria Hike Down the Spanish Pyrenees
But if you are looking for something a little shorter, then try hiking around Vall de Nuria. A magical little valley and winter ski area nestled among the peaks. You can take the train up to Vall de Nuria and hike the 3 ½ hours back down on a stunning trail, or you can hike up and down and skip the train. My friend Pete and I chose to train up and hike down to get a little exercise after eating like royalty for the last few days in Garoxtta. We were able to see the waterfalls up close, cross little bridges and get a feel for just how challenging it was to build the railway on the steep, rocky cliff.
Hiking Lake Malniu
If you want to go higher up in Pyrenees and even stay overnight, then head to Lake Malniu near Meranges. We had a personal guide and a well known ‘personality’ in the area, Eduard Jornet. Eduard is father to phenom ultra runner Kilian Jornet as well as the founder of one of the most grueling ultra races in the world – the Volta Cerdanya Ultra.
As we hiked with Eduard through the last remaining snowpack from winter, we traversed Malniu Lake, finishing at the Malniu Refuge, where Eduard managed, lived, and raised his family for years. You can rent rooms there and enjoy the mountain air as well as a number of hikes in the area.
Pyrenees by Horseback
Giddy up through the Pyrenees with Mas Rodonell and traverse the hills via horseback in the little enclave region of Llivia. The horses took us through farmland, rivers, and up some rather steep hills to see the best view in Llivia at the remnants of the old fort.
Balloon Rides in the Pyrenees
Get a new perspective on the Pyrenees from above. Float above the mountaintops and medieval villages while sipping Cava – a decadent way to experience the Spanish Pyrenees!
As we lifted off the ground on the foggy morning I questioned whether we’d be able to see anything, but it turned out that the blanket fog ended up being what made the views so spectacular. It hung low in the Pyrenees and over the dormant volcanoes like tendrils of an octopus, slowing moving and crawling fluidly in an almost artist motion or brushstroke. As we floated above it all, you can only just take it in and marvel at nature in it’s glory.
Check out my detailed article and get the complete view of Vol de Coloms’ morning Pyrenees hot air balloon rides.
Stay in a Spanish Farmhouse
Get a feel for rural life in the Pyrenees by staying at Mas Garganta near Olat in the Vall d’en Bas. Sit on the patio, lie on the grass, take a swim, sit by the fireplace, walk in the woods, pick vegetables from the garden and gather eggs; this is your place to relax, and unwind in a rural setting.
Discover Catalonia Food and Where to Eat it in the Pyrenees
The farmhouse is filled with antiques and simple details that express the warmth and history of the home. Each room is unique, and the food is hearty, comforting, and sourced from their own farm.
Visit a Medieval Village
Tucked into the mountains, only reached on winding, narrow, nail-biting roads, you’ll reach Beget, one of the most special villages in the region. I loved Beget for its remote location and because it was a functioning village with more real-life than manufactured tourism.
Visit the Romanesque Church of St. Cristòfol de Beget
Visit the Romanesque church of St. Cristòfol de Beget, a historical and artistic heritage site. Then wander through the cobblestone streets where time has elapsed. Cars can’t enter the village and its streets and houses are the typical stone ones of a medieval village.
Head to the town square for the chance to hear some musicians and learn the history of the local music man. If you are lucky, you may even hear some music by local singer-songwriter Monik Bargalle, who puts poetry to music, singing Catalan poetry.
Enter an Ancient Portal
The town of Ripoll is home to the Santa Maria de Ripoll, a monastery created in the 9th Century and the 1st monastery of Catalonia. It’s a beautiful piece of architecture and history to visit in the Pyrenees.
Santa Maria de Ripoll Monastery
Today you can see remnants of the old building and portal. The portal, although damaged by fires and restored in modern times, is an example of Catalan Romanesque sculpture. The frontal section features a relief from the mid-13th century divided into seven horizontal bands. It’s the type of relief where you can sit and stare for hours and still see something new pop out at you.
Also take a moment to pop into the cloisters which contains more of the original monastery structure than the church itself.
Watch Giants Dance
Gigantes y cabezudos, roughly translated as “Giants and Big-Heads,” or, in Catalan, gegants I capgrossos, are cultural staples in the region. Each town has its own giants that represent some overarching theme of the town. Much like a town mascot, they are seen dancing at festivals and town events. The giants are hollow figures several feet tall, with a painted paper maché head and arms. Sometimes, they all gather for Giant festivals, and luckily, we ran into one such festival in Puigcerdà.
Get My Book About this Festival Tradition in the Pyrenees
Want to learn more about the history and culture of gegants i capgrossos – I actually wrote an entire ebook about them! You can download Everything You Need to Know About Gegants and Capgrossos here for free.
Map of Things to Do in the Pyrenees of Spain
To give you a better visual of where all of these great things to do in the Pyrenees are – use this Map to chart all of the activities mentioned:
No matter how you want to experience the Pyrenees, you can’t help but fall in love with this beautiful region!
If you traveled to the Spanish Pyrenees what would you want to see and do? Let me know in the comments below!
Disclosure:
I was a guest of Costa Brava Pyrenees tourism during my time in the Pyrenees, however all opinions here are my own.
By miruna July 26, 2015 - 12:51 pm
Thanks for the useful tips! I’ve never made it to the Spanish Pyrenees, but I hope to visit this year.