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Era Roda Non Stop, the Val d'Aran from the biker perspective

On Saturday July 23 takes place the second edition of this test, that passes entirely by the Val d’Aran.

Era Roda Non Stop offers an excellent opportunity to meet an environment of spectacular landscapes, lush forests, rivers and waterfalls, from the biker perspective. Era Roda Non Stop is 140 km of pure mountain bike and a positive vertical slope of 5200m, one of the hardest Btt races of the Pyrenees.

Several new features have been added this year to the circular itinerary which starts in Salardú and passes through the picturesque villages of Bagergue, Vilamós, Bossòst, Es Bordes, Vielha Arties, with stunning views from the Pla de Beret or the Coth de Varradòs, very fast sections and many of trials.

Participants can choose one of two categories, individual open, with 100% of the route covered by a single corridor, and the race for teams of two riders, where each one must cover 70 of the 140 km.

Torisme de la Val d’Aran welcome all participants and wish you good luck!

21 July, 2016 dpt21 News, Blog, Present, BTT 0

Camping Verneda celebrates its 30th anniversary with a tribute to families

Solidarity bicycle, an initiative for the needy

One of the Val d’Aran most ancient accommodation, the Camping Verneda, has organized various activities this summer to celebrate its 30 years history. A narrative contest, concerts and children’s activities, special promotions and a joint initiative to provide bicycles to needy families are some of the actions that they expect to share both with the valley people as their unconditional visitors.

Solidarity bicycle

Taking advantage of the cyclist interest in Val d’Aran thanks to the start of the 9th stage of the Tour de France, the Verneda Camping has initiated a collaboration with the NGO ‘Bicicletas sin fronteras’, through which it becomes a collection point for second-hand bicycles donations, intended for people without financial resources, in order that they can move to their jobs or school in their hometowns.

The most popular vehicles are mountain bikes and wide wheel cycles, suitable for adults and adolescents who must navigate the unpaved roads of the villages of Senegal. Thanks to the generosity of the families who will visit this summer the establishment and its surroundings, and to the solidarity of the Val d’Aran people, is expected to gather a good number of bikes that will make life easier for needy families life.

#VidaVerneda

Also, as in these three decades they have lived hundreds of unforgettable moments, a narrative contest has been created for the site visitors. ‘Tell us your #VidaVerneda History’ aims to recall the stories that have accompanied the Verneda between winter and summer during this time and will be awarded with a stay weekend in one of the bungalows designed taking care to the last detail to make the visit as comfortable as being at home.

Summer Activities

As usual in recent years, summer is fully lived at the campsite, with activities for all audiences. Among them, will take place from a series of free outdoor concerts, Es Nèts deth Verneda -from mid-July to late August- until the Tastet d’Aran, a tasting of typical Aranese products every Wednesday.

Aimed at the smallest, the Circoloco is a children’s program with clowns, balloon twisting and other activities that take place during some Sundays in July and August. Customers can enjoy them for free. Throughout the week, excursions and guided tours around the Val d’Aran and its surroundings, are being organised, as well as other outdoor proposals, with ecological and sports routes.

19 July, 2016 dpt21 News, Blog, Present 0

Val d’Aran refuges ready for the summer season

Saboredo, Colomers and Restanca refuges –high mountain refuges located in the Parc Nacional d’Aigüestortes– and those of Conangles and Era Honeria –mountain refuges–, are now fit out for a new hiking summer season in the Val d’Aran. Managed by the Conselh Generau d’Aran, during the month of June there have been different sanitary and quality inspections in order to guarantee their total healthiness.

15 July, 2016 dpt21 News, Blog, Present 0

Propositions for summer in the Val d'Aran museums and churches

The summer season in the Aranese museums has come up with an attractive cultural and leisure proposal, which includes various exhibitions, workshops and guided tours, and new schedules that will remain until 11 September. There has also been expanded the Rota romanica d’Aran, which allows discover the rich artistic heritage of the Val d’Aran, with the addition of Escunhau, Betren Bagergue churches.

Summer schedules of Val d’Aran museums

Museu dera Val d’Aran (Vielha). Monday to Sunday 10-13h and 17-20h.

Fabrica dera Lan (Vielha). Monday to Sunday 17-20h.

Ecomuseu Çò of Joanchiquet (Vilamòs). Monday to Sunday 11-14h and 16-19h.

Temporary exhibitions hall of Sant Joan d’Arties. where you can visit the exhibition Istòria Grafica d’Aran. Monday to Saturday 17-21h

Era Mola de Salardú. Monday to Sunday 11-14pm.

Mina Victòria (Arres). Monday to Sunday 11-15h.

Other museums

Museu dera Nheu (Unha)

PyrenMuseu (Salardú)

Eth Corrau (Bagergue)

New this year! From July 24 you may also visit the Petit Museu dera Escola. Those interested go to Archiu Generau d’Aran, in the Casa deth Senhor d’Arros. (Tel. 973 642 569).

Summer schedules of the Romanesque churches

Santa Maria d’Arties. Monday to Saturday 11h, 12h, 13h,17h, 18h and 19h.

Santa Eulària d’Unha. Monday to Saturday 17h, 18h and 19h and Monday to Wednesday at 11h, 12h and 13h.

Santa Maria de Cap d’Aran (Tredos). Monday to Saturday visits at 11h, 12h and 13h.

Sant Fèlix of Vilac. Monday to Saturday visits at 17h, 18h and 19h.

Sant Pèir d’Escunhau. Visits every Thursday at 11h, 12h and 13h.

Sant Fèlix Bagergue. Visits every Friday at 11h, 12h and 13h.

Sant Estèue Betren. Visits every Saturday at 11h, 12h and 13h.

It will also be possible to visit other churches of great artistic and historical interest, like the Mair de Diu dera Purificacion de Bossòst, Sant Miquèu de Vielha, Sant Andreu de Salardú and Santa Maria de Vilamòs, and the chapel of Sant Blas and the church of Sant Joan in Les, which will remain open but without guide service.

New activities

“Desvelha es tòns sens. Es secrets des plantes medicinaus”(Awaken your senses. The secrets of medicinal plants). From July 18 to September 11 in the Ecomuseu Çò de Joanchiquet of Vilamòs. Workshop aimed at family audiences, which will run every Tuesday, from 16:30 to 18pm, and Friday from 12 to 13h.

Guided tour of the Ecomuseum Çò of Joanchiquet of Vilamòs. From July 18 to September 11, every Wednesday at 12pm.

13 July, 2016 dpt21 News, Blog, Present 0

The Val d'Aran shows the world the beauty of its natural environment

The 9th stage of the Tour de France has become a big festival that has gathered 25,000 people passing through the Valley and its route was broadcast live on television entirely in more than 60 channels.

Since the arrival of the first vans and coaches yesterday at noon, until the departure of the runners today at 11:55 they have been 24 hours of sport, tributes, swinging tourists and festive atmosphere in an unprecedented event that has vibrated the city of Vielha and all the Val d’Aran. People, volunteers and local businesses, hopeful to show the world its unique landscape and tourist attractions, have warmly welcomed the Tour de France.

To all of them, and sponsors and collaborators –councils of Naut Aran and Vielha, Lleida Provincial Council, Baqueira Beret, Agència Catalana de Turisme and the Secretaria de l’Esport of the Generalitat de Catalunya-, The Aranese government wants to thank the efforts made during the last previous months, without whose participation would not have been possible to take on this challenge.

Show to the public

From the parking of the military in the Aranese capital it has been able to follow the different events that were shown to the public from the podium and screens of the impressive village: welcome and parliaments of the authorities-Luis Carlos Medina, vicesíndic the Conselh d’Aran; Juan Antonio Serrano, Mayor of Vielha; Gerard Figueras, secretari General de l’Esport of the Generalitat de Catalunya; Jose Antonio Boya, conselhèr de Territori and Christian Prudhomme, director of the Tour of France; start of the junior cadets and the advertising caravan; firm cyclists and finally the expected start of the 9th stage of the Tour.

Then, the followers of Betren, Escunhau, Garòs, Arties, Gessa, Salardú, Baqueira Tredòs have been able to greet the squad on its way through the Aranese town’s to the first ports of the day. From the Bonaigua, where they have faced a first class rise runners have left the Val d’Aran to enter the Pallars Sobirà and follow the Alt Urgell on the road to Andorra, the end of the stage.

Characterized by choosing emblematic places of scenic beauty, the Tour de France has chosen this beautiful stage for its spectacular natural setting, great attractions, and for being very mountainous, making it particularly attractive for cyclists. Not surprisingly, the ninth stage, with more than 100 km by the Catalan Pyrenees, has been broadcast live on television entirely.

“We are convinced that the challenge of organizing a stage of the third largest world sporting event, will serve to show the beauty of the Aran Valley and to make it known as a destination with an excellent tourist offer all year to our visitors”, said Anna Diaz, Conselhèra of Tourism of the Val d’Aran.

Best images selection in this link.

Tribute to Luis Ocaña in Vila

The Aranese village of Vila, a town where Luis Ocaña lived when he was young, has used the event to pay a warm tribute to the winner of the Tour in 1973. Its mayor, Juan José Grijalba Escalona, with the family of the athlete and the directors of the Tour Christian Prudhomme and Bernard Hinault, opened early in the morning, “Eth corneret of Luis Ocaña” a small memorial to the cyclist, especially revered by the French.

Culmination of an attractive program of events

The Val d’Aran has turned into the celebration of this event, in recent months organizing events of various kinds, from the popular “La Fête du Tour” to the tribute to seven Spanish winners of the race, with the placement of a commemorative monolith in the Port of Portilhon, which has already become a referent place for cycling fans. Across the valley are deployed posters and banners announcing the stage, which was presented in Toulouse, Vielha and Barcelona.

The Aranese citizens have actively participated in the event, placing reproductions of the monolith in establishments participating children in a school drawing contest and even with original initiatives as a cake shaped bicycle exposed in a pastry in Vielha. In addition, it has been activated the microsite Aran Total Bike where can be found all the information necessary for the practice of cycling in the valley.

10 July, 2016 dpt21 News, Blog, Present, BTT 0

The Tour de France in Aranese land

The third most important sporting event in the world committed to the Val d’Aran at its 9th stage, with a very mountainous route of spectacular natural environment and great tourist attraction.

The Val d’Aran is about to offer a reception worthy of one of the most important sporting events in the world to the caravan of the Tour de France, which is already on his way to Aran lands. Host city of the event for the first time in its history, Vielha will be the starting point of the ninth stage of the cycling competition next July 10, an itinerary of 184.5 km that will cross five mountain passes to finish in Arcalis (Andorra).

From Vielha to Bonaigua

The parking of the former military barracks in the Aranese capital will host the kick-off of the stage at 10am on Sunday July 10. The route through the Aranese territory is about 20 kilometres from the county road C28 from Vielha to Port de la Bonaigua, stretch of about one hour.

In the Val d’Aran, the Tour will pass through the picturesque villages of Betren, Escunhau, and Casarilh, pedaling to the right of the Garonne and crossing it up to Garòs where it will leave Mijaran to follow, yet in Naut Aran, on the left bank of the river across Arties, Gessa, Salardu, Tredòs, and Baqueira.

From the ski resort will arrive at Port de la Bonaigua, where runners will face a first class climb, 13.7 km to 6.1%, leaving the Val d’Aran to enter the Pallars Sobirà and follow the Alt Urgell on the road to Andorra, the end of the stage.

Animation in the village

An animated village will be installed next to the starting line to receive and entertain fans, tourists and accredited media. There may be photographed next to the photocall of the Tour, enjoy animations with children dressed in costumes and browse in the exhibition of products and typical dishes of the Aranese cuisine. In addition, it will be a tourist information point of the Conselh Generau d’Aran.

It will also be used to publicize the unique environment of the Val d’Aran: the beauty of its landscape, the excellence of Baqueira Beret ski resort, the richness of its Romanesque heritage, the museum diversity, the delicacies of its cuisine, the fun adventure activities and the attractive proposals offered by the valley throughout the year.

The Tour de France, the third largest sporting event in the world – with 2000 accredited journalists from 600 different media and belonging to 190 countries- marks the international projection of the Val d’Aran and helps to make it becoming one of the best European tourist mountain destinations, both in winter and summer.

Culmination of an attractive program of events

Deploying of services

Given that attendance of 25,000 spectators along the stage is planned, the law enforcement will mobilize about 700 agents. In addition, the Conselh Generau has released a document with traffic cuts on Sunday in the C28 and the internal public transportation between Vielha and Baqueira will also suffer restrictions on Sunday morning.

On the other hand, there have been enabled four zones of temporary parking in Vielha for this weekend available from Saturday 9, the old football field, college Garonne, field Mijaran next to the church (N-230) and Gravera Barba (C-28, between Betren and Escunhau).

7 July, 2016 dpt21 News, Blog, Present, BTT 0

The Quilha deth haro closes Les festivals

Until June 29, the feast of Sant Pere, the town of Les holds its annual local festival, which began last Friday with the Crèma deth Haro. During these days have taken place popular meals, traditional dances offered by Es Corbilhonets de Les, the pilgrimage on Saturday to the chapel of Sant Blai, an Habaneras concert and a concert by the Corau Quate Sons in the church of Les, within other acts.

There has also been held various sporting events such as Football tournament and rafting trips for children. Tuesday takes place a mountaineer day for youth with vias ferrata, adventure park and an orienteering race organized by the active tourism company, Deportur.

Planted of the new haro

With the “Quilha deth haro” ceremony, in which the new haro will be plant and will preside over the Plaza Mayor throughout the year, the holidays come to an end. The “quilha” is performed manually, using the same technique used by primitive man to lift the menhirs: it rises from the ground with the help of ropes tied to the trunk, stairways and wooden bars and iron.

The whole ceremony is steeped in symbolism. The haro is planted with its roots looking at the sky, imploring to attract divine forces to the ground. Also, the town just married couples crowned the new haro with offerings of flowers: a crown, a bouquet and a cross, all symbol of fecundity and fertility, which are placed on top of haro.

28 June, 2016 dpt21 News, Blog, Present 0

5 ideas para divertirte el puente de San Juan en la Val d’Aran

1.Conoce nuestras tradiciones: las Fiestas del Fuego

Declaradas por la Unesco Patrimonio Inmaterial de la Humanidad junto a las demás Fallas del Pirineo, las Hèstes deth huec de Les y Arties se han conservado hasta la actualidad y constituyen uno de los principales reclamos turísticos de ambas localidades aranesas.

Se celebran la noche de San Juan, el 23 de junio, coincidiendo con el solsticio de verano, y marcan el inicio de la temporada estival. Durante la velada se quema un tronco, el Haro en Les y el Taro en Arties, en un concurrido ritual acompañado de música y danzas tradicionales donde participa todo el pueblo.

2. Da la bienvenida a los nuevos ositos de Aran Park

Acércate a saludar a los cachorros de la osa Luna que han nacido este invierno en Aran Park, el Parque de Fauna salvaje de la Val d’Aran y paséate entre lobos, ciervos, linces, marmotas y otros animales autóctonos. A lo largo de un recorrido de dos horas podrás observar catorce especies diferentes de mamíferos y aves en semi libertad y finalizar con un picnic en el área habilitada junto al snack-bar.

3. Paséate por los pueblos araneses

Visita la recién acreditada vil·la florida de Bagergue y los demás pueblos de la Val d’Aran. Piérdete por sus pequeñas calles, entra en sus edificios románicos, degusta sus productos y platos típicos y disfruta de la amabilidad de sus gentes. De norte a sur, de este a oeste, todas y cada una de las localidades aranesas están impregnadas del sabor de la historia y de un personal estilo alpino que los hace inconfundibles.

4. Pedalea entre la naturaleza

Descubrir la naturaleza en bicicleta es una de las experiencias más intensas que puedes disfrutar en la Val d’Aran. Dispones de todo tipo de rutas señalizadas tanto en btt cómo por carretera, paseos tranquilos junto al río enlazando pueblos o bajadas técnicas por frondosos bosques. ¡Entra en Aran Total Bike y encuentra tu itinerario!

5. Practica el Senderismo en familia

Te proponemos 10 rutas de senderismo muy amenas para realizar con tu familia por la orilla de lagos y ríos, atravesando caminos de mineros y contrabandistas o descubriendo santuarios escondidos. De baja dificultad y cortas distancias os permitirán disfrutar de los más bonitos paisajes con toda tranquilidad y la mejor compañía.

Encuentra más propuestas en https://www.visitvaldaran.com

23 June, 2016 dpt21 News 0

“Natura oculta”, responsible ecotourism in the Val d'Aran

In order to publicize the interesting diversity of natural species of the Val d’Aran and the surprising habitat that surrounds them, the responsible ecotourism initiative, “Natura oculta” brings together an interesting range of activities and outputs guided through the territory. In addition to disclosing the beauty of the natural environment of the valley, the program affects the sustainability of the destination as a guarantee of added value for the visitor.

From mid-June to late September, they can be carried out workshops about medicinal plants and bird watching tours to see the small mammals that hide in the Aranese forests, educational visits showing monumental trees and vegetation of wetlands mountain and even mycological conferences. In this link you can download the complete program of activities organized through the Departament de Medi Ambient del Consèlh Generau d’Aran.

Responsible Tourism Destination

From Torisme of Val d’Aran is strongly recommends responsible tourism, with judicious use of natural resources, respect for native fauna and silence of the environment, proper disposal of waste, careful with fire and promotion of hiking, bicycle and public transport.

The Val d’Aran was the first mountain destination to receive the accreditation of Biosphere Responsible Tourism in January 2014. With this certification adds value to the environment, as one of the great assets of the territory and the local cultural heritage preserved over the centuries.

The result of this effort was also recognized with the Val d’Aran as a finalist in the National Geographic Legacy Awards in March 2015, in Destination leadership category, which rewards those leaders destinations that demonstrate best practices in protecting nature and culture, and working with visitors to raise awareness about environmental protection.

21 June, 2016 dpt21 News 0

Hèsta d'Aran 2016, 25th anniversary of the restoration of Aranese government

On Friday June 17 is celebrated the Hèsta d’Aran, local festival of the Val d’Aran, where is commemorated the restoration of the current Consèlh Generau d’Aran, an event which this year celebrates its 25th anniversary.

During the day, it is tradition to hold a reception at the headquarters of the Consèlh Generau d’Aran, after which a procession with the standards of the constituencies or terçons that form the Aranese territory today (Pujòlo, Arties and Garòs, Castiero, Marcatosa , Lairissa and Quate Locs) parade to the Sanctuary of Nostra Senhòra de Mijaran. There takes place the religious ceremony followed by the official ceremony and a performance of Aranese dances.

The Plenum of the Consèlh Generau d’Aran, in an extraordinary session on 30 May in Arròs approved an institutional declaration of the 25th anniversary of the Conselh Generau d’Aran restoration. Among the scheduled events, yesterday was held a memorial at the Catalan Parliament.

An historic landmark

The Catalan Parliament approved on June 28 of 1990 the first Special Law of the Val d’Aran. This was a momentous event in the history of this territory, which over time has repeatedly expressed loyalty to its institutions and willingness to exercise self-government and management of public affairs.

This will was evidenced by its inhabitants, when on June 26, 1979, all members of the Aran corporations elected in the first democratic elections, created in the church of Cap d’Aran the Intermunicipal Management Committee for Reinstatement of Aran Institutions to establish areas of collaboration with the Catalan institutions. This led to the establishment of the provisional Consèlh Generau d’Aran, on September the 2^nd of the same year.

The Estatut d’Autonomia, approved in the Catalan Parliament in 1979, determined a first recognition of the historical and linguistic rights of Aran, with the first additional provision, which stated that in the framework of the Spanish Constitution and the Estatut, shall be recognized and updated the historical peculiarities of the internal administrative organization of the Val d’Aran.

Hèsta d’Aran program

11: 00h Reception of the síndic d’Aran, Carlos Barrera, to the authorities and guests at the headquarters of the Consèlh Generau d’Aran (Vielha). The event will have the presence of the Catalan government president, Carles Puigdemont.

11: 30h Parade of standards carried by the representatives of each Terçon to the sanctuary de Nostra Senhòra de Mijaran.

12: 00h Mass in the sanctuary de Nostra Senhòra de Mijaran.

13: 00h Institutional act of the Hèsta d’Aran in the ruins of the ancient sanctuary of Mijaran.

– Flag-raising

– Parliaments of authorities

– Aranese dances

20:00 Alisé Sans, Aranese singer in concert in the plaça dera Església (Vielha).

16 June, 2016 dpt21 News, Blog, Present 0