In the Artiga de Lin valley you will find one of the most beautiful landscapes with the easiest of access in the Aran Valley. Entering the valley you will observe an area rich in vegetation with an unending number of ravines and gullies whose waters spill into the the Joeu river. The “Hont deth Gresilhon” invites the visitor to stop for a refreshing splash. This route connects the exceptional natural exit of water from the earth of the “Uelhs deth Joeu” and the Artiga de Lin. Here you will find an extensive number of fields used as pastures surrounded by beech and fir tree forests which are splendidly colorful in autumn and which are crowned by majestic peaks in the distance of the Neres ridges and the mythical Malh des Pois and Forcanada mountains. The groups of chamois along with the Malh dera Artiga (peak) which is the centre of the valley along with the Tuca Blanca of Pomèro (tuca is peak in Aranese) finish off the incredible beauty of this valley. The diversity of plants and flowers which varies from season to season makes this hike a different and exquisite experience each time.

Detailed Route:

Begin the hike in the car park of Uelhs deth Joeu. Following a wide and easy path you will reach the spectacular waterfalls of the Uelhs deth Joeu. Cross the river on the metal bridge and follow the trail up the mountain on a trail with log based steps in the middle of the fir tree forest while quickly gaining elevation. Later the trail becomes very well defined. Once you have passed the entrance to the Plan dera Artiga de Lin the first river you will cross on this wide trail is the Puis ravine (1). This trail leads you to the Artiga de Lin refuge at the foot of the Còth deth Hòro (the Hòro saddle) (2) which is particularly breathtaking. Here you will find the second car park in case you choose not to do the circular route. The asphalted road will take you gingerly back to the starting point.

Recommendations:

Visit the Mair de Diu dera Artiga chapel. 2 km from Es Bòrdes you can return along the asphalted road which will take you through the Varicauba forest to Aubert, Gausac, Vielha or the Oles pond (bassa).

Curiosities:

The Forau d’Aigualluts (natural geological draining system for the mountain waters) is located at the foot of the Aneto Mountain glacier. The underground drain “system” take the waters to the Artiga de Lin where the waters see daylight once again at the Uelhs deth Joeu, the eyes of Jupiter according to the experts. In 1931 the Pyrenees scientist, Norbert Casteret after dropping 60 kg of fluoresceina (an inoffensive coloring) in the Forau d’Aigualluts was able to demonstrate the origin of the waters which exit the land in the Uelhs deth Joeu. On the section of the hike walking on the road one may discover the grasilla or pinguicula plants with green and yellow leaves and violet flowers growing together in humid areas. This is a carnivorous flower. If you take the time to observe it closely you can see small insects stuck to its leaves. These insects get stuck on the surface of the leaves by a substance which slowly decomposed the insects converting them into a nutritional substance for the plant.