VALLEY OF ARAN, GUIDED SPANISH PYRENEES HIKING TOUR DESCRIPTION
 | 8 days |  | July 12th to 19th, 2025 | 
| Guided Hiking |
 | €1325 pp | 
| Medium/Difficult | ||
 | Barcelona, Spain |  | Barcelona, Spain |
An Unforgettqble Pyrenees Hiking Tour in the Heart of the Spanish Pyrenees
If you’re looking for an unforgettable Pyrenees hiking tour, where adventure, culture, and breathtaking scenery come together, the Val d’Aran is the perfect destination. Nestled in the Spanish Pyrenees, this guided trek takes you across rugged mountain landscapes, lush valleys, and glacial lakes, following ancient trails that have connected villages for centuries.
This unique itinerary allows you to experience both the northern and southern slopes of the Pyrenees, offering contrasting landscapes, from high alpine peaks to dense, untouched forests.
You’ll hike through the remote Toran Valley, past remnants of 19th-century zinc mines, and along the glacial-carved Val de Ruda, before reaching the stunning Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park.
This protected area is famous for its more than 200 lakes, cascading waterfalls, and dramatic peaks like Mount Encantats (2,747m).
As you explore this biodiverse biosphere reserve, you’ll have the chance to spot Pyrenean chamois, bearded vultures, marmots, and other native wildlife. You’ll also walk through historic mountain villages, where you’ll immerse yourself in the traditions, architecture, and gastronomy of the Val d’Aran.
With a maximum group size of 14 hikers, this fully guided Pyrenees hiking tour ensures a personalized and immersive experience, allowing you to focus on the journey while your expert guide leads the way. Each night, you’ll stay in a mix of charming traditional hotels and comfortable mountain huts, giving you a taste of both local hospitality and the true spirit of hiking in the Spanish Pyrenees.
Why You’ll Love This Pyrenees Hiking Tour
✅ Experience both the north and south sides of the Spanish Pyrenees, hiking through diverse and contrasting landscapes.
✅ Explore the stunning Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, home to over 200 mountain lakes, waterfalls, and dramatic peaks.
✅ Walk ancient trails that connect historic villages, discovering the rich cultural heritage of the Val d’Aran.
✅ Spot incredible wildlife, including Pyrenean chamois, bearded vultures, and marmots.
✅ Stay in a mix of traditional hotels and two mountain huts (in shared rooms), for a true Pyrenees experience.
✅ Hike with an expert guide in a small group (max. 14 hikers) for a personalized and enriching experience.
✅ Enjoy hassle-free hiking with luggage transfers included, so you can focus on your adventure.
✅ Taste authentic Val d’Aran cuisine, from hearty mountain stews to local cheeses and cured meats.
✅ Join this exclusive guided hiking tour in July, the perfect time to experience the Spanish Pyrenees in full bloom.
Are you ready to hike through the breathtaking landscapes of the Spanish Pyrenees?
VALLEY OF ARAN, SPANISH PYRENEES HIKING TOUR: 8-DAY ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival in Vielha – Gateway to the Spanish Pyrenees
Your Pyrenees hiking tour begins with a private transfer from Barcelona to Vielha, the lively capital of the Val d’Aran. Nestled in a picturesque valley and surrounded by rugged mountain peaks, Vielha blends traditional Pyrenean charm with modern comforts, making it the perfect starting point for your adventure.
Explore Vielha’s charming old town, with its cobblestone streets, Aranese architecture, and Romanesque churches. Then, savor local cheeses, tapas, and home-brewed beers in its cozy restaurants.
Tonight, you’ll stay in a traditional mountain hotel in the heart of Vielha, offering a warm and authentic Pyrenean experience. Get ready—your hiking in the Spanish Pyrenees adventure officially begins tomorrow!
Day 2: Hike From Lake Colomers – Circular Hike
After breakfast, we’ll take a transfer to the starting point of today’s breathtaking circular hike through the Colomèrs Cirque, home to more than 50 glacial lakes.
Shaped by the slow erosion of ancient glaciers, this landscape is dotted with crystal-clear lakes, rugged peaks, and massive granite boulders left behind by retreating ice.
As you hike through this stunning alpine terrain, you’ll witness the dramatic beauty of the Spanish Pyrenees, with panoramic views at every turn.
The peaceful, reflective waters of the “estanhs” (lakes) create a truly magical atmosphere, making this an unforgettable start to your Pyrenees hiking tour.
In the evening, return to your traditional mountain hotel in Vielha, where you’ll enjoy another night in this charming Pyrenean town.
Hiking Details: Distance 12.8 km (8 miles), Ascent +673m (2,208 ft.), Descent -376m (1,234 ft.).
- Hiking Details: Distance 12.8 km. (8 miles) Ascent +673 m. (+2,208.01 ft.) Descent 376 m. (1,233.6 ft.)
Day 3: Hike From Viehlha – Bossòst
Today, you’ll hike along the GR211 trail, following the Camino Real de Arán, an ancient route that once served as the main connection between Aranese villages. Much of the trail winds through lush forests of beech, oak, and fir, offering plenty of shade from the summer sun as you experience the beauty of the Spanish Pyrenees.
Your journey takes you through a series of historic villages, each with its own charm. First, you’ll pass Vilac, believed to have Celtic and Roman origins, where you can admire the 12th-century Romanesque church of Sant Fèlix.
Continuing through Mont and Montcorbau, perched at 1,222m (4,009 ft.), you’ll be treated to panoramic views of the Sarraeta and Tuc Nere mountains, contrasting beautifully with the green Baricauba forest below.
The trail then leads through some of the oldest and least populated villages in the Val d’Aran, including Aubert, Arròs, Begòs, Vilamòs, Arrès de Jos, and Arrès de Sos. These hamlets are filled with rustic stone houses, slate roofs, old fountains, and traditional farm buildings, offering a glimpse into centuries-old mountain life.
Along the way, you’ll pass through dense oak and hazel forests, cherry tree-lined ravines, and pine-covered hills, with spectacular views of Artiga de Lin Valley and the Maladeta Massif.
Your day ends in Bossòst, a picturesque riverside village where you’ll settle into a traditional mountain hotel for the night.
Your Pyrenees hiking tour continues to showcase the region’s rich culture, history, and stunning landscapes, making each step an unforgettable experience.
Day 4: Hike From Bossost – Hospice de France
Today’s guided hiking tour takes you across the Spain-France border, following a historic trail once used by smugglers and pilgrims.
Leaving from Bossòst, you’ll begin your ascent toward the Còth de Baretja, a stunning mountain pass at 1,778m (5,833 ft.), marking the frontier between the Spanish Pyrenees and France.
The trail winds through oak and spruce forests, gradually opening up to panoramic views of the Aran Valley and surrounding peaks.
As you climb higher, you’ll traverse alpine meadows and remote mountain landscapes, eventually reaching the Cabana de Campsaure, a peaceful refuge in the highlands.
From here, a scenic descent leads to the Hospice de France, a historic mountain hut nestled in a breathtaking valley on the French side of the Pyrenees.
Spending the night at the Hospice de France, (dormitory style) you’ll experience the true spirit of hiking in the Spanish Pyrenees, where history, nature, and adventure come together on this incredible Pyrenees hiking tour.
- Hiking Details: Distance 9.8 km. (6.1 miles) Ascent +1072 m. (+3,517.06 ft.) Descent 433 m. (1,420.6 ft.)
Day 5: Hike From Hospice de France – Hospital de Benasque
Today’s hike follows one of the most historic trails in the Pyrenees, the Puerto de Benasque, a centuries-old route connecting France and Aragon where you’ll trek across dramatic mountain landscapes, offering some of the most breathtaking views in the Spanish Pyrenees.
You’ll begin by ascending toward the Lagos del Boum, glacial lakes that mirror the towering peaks above.
As you continue climbing, the final stretch to the mountain pass unfolds in a series of zigzags, with carefully built stone walls lining the path.
Reaching the col, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of the Aneto-Maladetas Massif, home to the highest peaks in the Pyrenees and its remaining glaciers.
The descent follows the Peña Blanca path, carved into limestone rock, before leading into lush forests and open meadows.
Your journey ends at the modern Hospital de Benasque, a mountain spa town set in the heart of a protected natural park, where you can unwind in a cozy rural hotel after an incredible day of hiking in the Spanish Pyrenees.
- Hiking Details: Distance 10.4 km. (6.3 miles) Ascent +1090 m. (+3,576.1 ft.) Descent 665 m. (2,181.8 ft.)
Day 6: Hike From Hospital de Benasque – Artiga de Lin
Leaving Hospital de Benasque, you’ll cross the Ésera River and hike through lush meadows and black pine forests, gradually ascending toward the Piedras Blancas Pass.
This historic route, established in 1320, was once an important passage between Spain and France.
As you climb, you’ll reach a hilltop viewpoint at 2,175m (7,135 ft.), offering breathtaking panoramas of the Ésera Valley and Llanos del Hospital.
Further along the trail, the landscape reveals the Portillón de Benasque (2,445m / 8,022 ft.), a dramatic mountain gorge that has served as a historic border crossing for centuries.
The trail continues through rugged peaks and alpine plains, before descending into Artiga de Lin, one of the most beautiful valleys in the Spanish Pyrenees.
Tonight, you’ll stay in the cozy mountain hut of Artiga de Lin (dormitory), surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery.
- Hiking Details: Distance 10.3 km. (6.4 miles) Ascent +794 m. (+2,605 ft.) Descent 1101 m. (3,612.2 ft.)
Day 7: Hike From Artiga de Lin – Vielha
Your final day of hiking takes you from the Artiga de Lin mountain hut back to Vielha, crossing through historic and scenic landscapes in the Spanish Pyrenees.
The trail follows the Uelhs deth Joeu, a stunning natural spring, before passing the Monjoia hermitage, once home to a refuge for travelers crossing the mountain passes.
A signpost here marks the various routes and historical crossings, including an information panel on the Jewish exodus from France during World War II, when refugees fled across these mountains to escape Nazi occupation.
The ascent continues along the Geles trail, climbing toward Sacosta Rock before reaching the Dòles pond.
From here, a steep descent leads you back to Vielha, where you can celebrate the completion of your incredible guided Pyrenees hiking tour.
- Hiking Details: Distance 15.1 km. (9.4 miles) Ascent +782 m. (+2,565.6 ft.) Descent 1274 m. (4,179.8 ft.)
Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, we’ll take you back to Barcelona with our included private transfer, marking the end of an incredible journey through the Spanish Pyrenees. Congratulations! You’ve hiked across stunning mountain landscapes, historic trails, and remote valleys, experiencing the very best on your guided Pyrenees hiking tour.
As you leave, take with you the memories of breathtaking views, rich culture, and the camaraderie of the trail—until your next adventure!
COST OF THE 8-DAY VALLEY OF ARAN, PYRENEES GUIDED TOUR AND INCLUSIONS
| 8-DAY VALLEY OF ARAN GUIDED HIKE DETAILS | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 days | | July 12th to 19th, 2025 | | Barcelona, Spain | | Barcelona, Spain |
| €1325 pp | ||||||
| Optional Extras | Single Room Supplement: €275 | ||||||
Prices based on double accommodation.
Maximum Group Size: 14
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
✔ 5 nights accommodation (double room) in rural hotels and 2 nights in mountain huts
✔ 7 breakfasts and dinners
✔ 6 lunches
✔ All transfers during the tour, as described above
✔ Transfers from Barcelona airport to Vielha
✔ Transfers from Vielha to Barcelona
✔ Detailed information on the area
✔ Luggage transport between hotels and mountain huts
✔ Official guide
OPTIONAL EXTRAS:
-
Single room supplement: €275
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:
- Travel insurance that covers you for this tour and includes emergency evacuation and hospital care in the unlikely incident that you get injured. HeyMondo insurance covers this which is why we recommend it.
-
Flights
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Additional drinks and snacks
- Anything not mentioned under the “Inclusion” section.
TRAVEL INFORMATION FOR YOUR GUIDED PYRENEES HIKING TOUR
Arrival & Departure
Our private transfer will take you from Barcelona or Girona Airport to Vielha (approx. 4 hours) at the start of the tour and return you to Barcelona or Girona Airport at the end of your journey.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Level: Medium/Difficult – This guided hiking tour is designed for hikers with good physical condition and experience in high-mountain terrain.
- Distances: Hikes range from 10 km (6.2 miles) to 20 km (12.4 miles) per day, with elevation gains between 700m (2,297 ft.) and 1,300m (4,265 ft.).
- Terrain: A mix of wide and narrow trails, with steep climbs and descents.
- Recommendations: See our day hiking packing list. We also recommend hiking poles for the steep sections.
BOOK YOUR GUIDED HIKING TOUR IN THE VALLEY OF ARAN, PYRENEES
Please contact us to book this tour.
PHOTOS OF THE VALLEY OF ARAN, PYRENEES HIKING TOUR
