Route of Pyrenees
The Pyrenees spread all along the border between Spain and France, thus all along the north of Catalonia. The region offers, all year round, an endless list of activities for nature, mountain or outdoor activity lovers.
The most interesting places from east to west are listed below: the capital of the region of Cerdanya is Puigcerdà (Tel. 972 - 14 06 65), only two kms from France, starting point for a visit of the area and just close by any ski resort of the eastern Pyrenees. From Puigcerdà and through La Seu d'Urgell, with its magnificent cathedral, you reach Andorra, a small country in the Pyrenees, which, besides skiing and other mountain sports, is very well known for being a duty free country (tobacco, liquor, photographic equipment, etc), thus attracting lots of people.
From Andorra and heading to the west, you arrive at the remotest regions of Catalonia, such as Pallars Sobirà, Alta Ribagorça and Val d'Aran with its capital, Vielha. This area, better known for its ski resorts and hihg mountain activities, is also very suitable for resting and visiting architectonic jewels of romanic art (XII and XIII centuries), specially at the Boí valley, where the concentration is very intense and has been recently recognized as humanity heritage for its artistic and cultural value.
Between those three regions we can also find
the overwhelming Aïgues Tortes and Sant Maurici Lake National
Park (Tel. 973 62 40 36 / 973 69 61 89; http://catalunya.net/aiguestortes),
the only one in Catalonia, an excellent place for cross country
skiing in winter or trekking in summer. By the meridional entrance,
from Espot, flows the river Noguera Pallaresa, well known for
its adventure activities, such as rafting, kayaking, canoeing,
etc.
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