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We arrived in the Vall d'Aran in a motorhome. Spectacular high mountain lands with their own language. Aranese and its culture are a unique heritage.

Pla de Beret and Motgarri Valley, the entrance to the Vall d'Aran

A few kilometers from Baqueira (Naut Aran), we first come across the Plan de Beret , the entry point to the Montgarri Valley , an esplanade at over 1800 meters altitude that was once the scene of covens of both witches and wizards.

To get to the Santuraio de Montgarri you have to leave the van or motorhome in Pla de Beret and cross a small bridge that leads to the valley. Large areas of grass start this journey, which usually lasts three hours, to enter a lush forest crossed by several streams.

With a little luck, it is possible to meet some specimen of the fauna that lives there, such as wild goats, wild cats and even some French bears that venture to cross the border.

The route ends at the Sanctuary of Montgarri , a Renaissance church that enjoys perfect condition thanks to the restoration that has been done and the situation is ideal to relax and contemplate the landscape bathed by the Noguera Pallaresa river.

After visiting the sanctuary, we can enter the refuge that is a few meters away, with an architecture similar to the previous one, which offers a good rest for hikers and hot drinks to withstand the freezing cold.

A little further on we find the town proper of Montgarri (Naut Aran).

 Salardú, between mountains

Our first stop in the Aran Valley is Salardú , where we stopped for lunch in the campervan parking area. It's a great spot for children, with a fountain and a nearby playground. After lunch, we explored Salardú, enjoyed some ice cream, and took a pleasant walk before heading to Vielha, the capital of the Vall d'Aran.

Salardú is an old refuge for the first pilgrims who arrived exhausted after passing the Port of Bonaigua. The Salardú villa (Naut Aran) is located in a strategic place that dominates the entire valley. For this reason it was fortified in medieval times although, today, there are hardly any remains of its wall.

Of its remains, the church of San Andrés still stands, built in the s. XII where before there was a castle. Its Romanesque and Gothic style, its soaring tower can be seen from any viewpoint in the area.

From here there are several possible excursions. It is worth noting the one that continues towards the north, towards the towns of Unha and Bagergue, the highest town in the valley with 1 m. The route extends through the Unyola Valley, where we will find impressive waterfalls, which fall from a height of 419 m, to reach Lake Liat.

 Viella, capital of the Vall d'Aran

Vielha is a lively city, with many interesting craft shops and excellent pastry shops. With the kids, we decided to visit Vielha on its little train, a way to escape the sweltering heat of the sun.

Viella is one of the main tourist centers of the area that still preserves cobbled streets and some old edges, corrals or haystacks of the time.

In this city we can visit the church of San Miquèu, the portico with representations of figures from the Last Judgment surprises anyone who observes them. You find important pieces such as a Romanesque baptismal font and the well-known Cristo del Mijaran, a life-size figure dating from the s. XII.

Here is also the Museum of the Val d'Aran, a very complete historical and ethnological exhibition of the valley.

In Vielha you can stay overnight in their private motorhome area for a fairly reasonable price and with all services located at the exit of Vielha.

➡ Vielha motorhome area: Viella Camper Park