Pallars Jussà, a region of great contrasts and great beauty: Vall Fosca, Aigüestortes and l'Estany de Sant Maurici. Many treasures to discover.
Situated in the valley of the Noguera Pallaresa, Pallars Jussà offers stunning landscapes. The climate, vegetation, fauna, agriculture. Are conditioned by irregular topography: in the north we find the Vall Fosca, bathed by the river Noguera Pallaresa and some peaks over 2500 meters on the basin are the pre-Pyrenean ranges of Boumort, Sant Gervàs, Gurp, and in the southern part we find the great basin of Tremp with Sant Antoni and Terradets and finally in the southwest the Montsec Massif.
Environmental tourism resources:
Aigüestortes National Park and Lake Sant Maurici: it is the only park in Catalonia listed National Park (1955) straddles the counties culd, Vall d'Aran Jussà Pallars and High Ribagorça. It is a nature reserve with high mountain peaks over 3.000 meters high and where we can find up to 200 glacial lakes of great beauty. Through its signposted discover fantastic places like the St. Moritz Lake, Black Lake, charms, etc.. The main entrances to the park are from Vall de Boi and Espot.
Vall Fosca: north of the region are one of the most captivating valleys of the Catalan Pyrenees where the river runs Flamisell. The steep slopes of the mountains make the light penetrates a few hours, giving the valley its name.
It consists of peaks over 2500 meters and hides remarkable natural and cultural charms: a score of glacial lakes, traditional villages and picturesque, notable examples of Romanesque architecture, etc. At the head of the valley is the cable car Sallente that allows us to quickly climb to over 2000 m and where we can enjoy spectacular views of the valley and begin our excursions. Vall Fosca has access from the town of Senterada, north of Pobla de Segur.
Montsec: integrated into the Plan for Areas of Natural Interest in Catalonia, it is a mountain range that extends from Pallars Jussà and Noguera, more than 18000 h. Rivers Noguera Noguera Ribagorçana Pallaresa and two cannons are amazing (Mont Rebei and Terradets) with vertical walls can reach 500 meters. It is a very pristine natural area and little known with an influx of tourists is very low. Welcomes wild animals such as otters, hawks, eagles, etc.. You can make trips and visits to the various castles and shrines scattered across the territory.
Cultural Resources:
Tremp: the capital of the region is located between the dam of San Antonio and the dam of Cellers. The village retains the flavor of its medieval old town and has developed a strong business, the weekly market held on Mondays.
The most important tourist attraction is the church archpriest of Santa Maria de Valldeflors (ninth century), the main square with its boundary cross, the tower of the walled Sacristy, etc.
Pobla de Segur: the second most important town Jussà Pallars is divided by the river right in the head Flamisell Marsh St. Antonio Noguera at the mouth of Pallaresa. Its old town is typically considered medieval and where the most business in town. The most prominent building is the current Pobla town hall, the house called modernist Mauri. You can also visit the museum of Raiers.
Montsec astronomical Park: Located in a unique place for observing the sky and in a privileged setting this center aims to study and popularization of astronomy and geology in our territory. The center houses a permanent exhibition guided tours both day and night to enjoy the world of astronomy, geology, etc. It is located in the town of Ager.
Pallars Jussà Castles: the region hosts several medieval castles and fortresses used to mark the border between Christians and Arabs. These are integrated into the environment and we can quietly visit either mountain bike, car or on a tour. The most notable buildings are: Mur Castle, Castell Llordà, San Gervàs Castle, Castle Orca, etc.
Traditional Festivals:
Cattle market, Salàs de Pallars: a mid-November this town located between Tremp and Population living a traditional character fair where farmers and buyers of horses were treated for sale. Today it has become a show related to the world of the horse. Samples are held and all kinds of activities this animal. It is an ideal day for the whole family.
”Raiers day”, Pobla de Segur: This festival is to commemorate the office of rafters (carrying wood from rivers) and the use of the river Noguera Pallaresa as the axis of communication. In early July a series of raiers properly dressed for the occasion will drop down the river as they did previously under the watchful eyes of all attendees. It is a holiday with a series of parallel events like the fair of handicrafts, popular foods, music and fireworks, etc. We can supplement the day with a visit to the museum of the Raiers of Pobla de Segur.
Other important festivals: The two most important villas of Pallars Jussà, Tremp (early September) and La Pobla de Segur (fourth week of July) live their big party in the most intense possible. These are days in which the villages receive hundreds of visitors and held all sorts of activities, contests, dances, music, parades, etc.
Active tourism
The county gives us many opportunities to enjoy sport and the breathtaking natural surroundings.
MTB Centre Jussà Pallars, we will find a welcoming spot with information and services and over 270 km of signposted walks all freely available.
Interesting routes either on foot or by mountain bike: Montcortès Pond (included in the Plan of areas of natural interest), La Vall Fosca, La Vall de Manyanet Congost of Montrebei, Path Valley Vulture Aigüestortes National Park and Estany de Sant Maurici, etc.
Activities for the more daring such as canyoning, climbing (Collegats Gorge), the hydro and rafting (from Llavorsí in Sort), Kayak (Congost Collegats to the dam of Sant Antoni), Vela (San Antonio Reservoir) 4x4 routes.
Book otters and osprey habitat. Chief Boumort, national game reserve and one of the best observatories in the Pyrenees, an area where the deer currently has a large population, you can also see deer, chamois, birds like the golden eagle, peregrine falcon, osprey.
Near to Pallars Jussà - Pyrenees...
Montrebei Gorge: is the unique Gorge of Catalonia, which remains without cross it any road, railway or power line. Only crosses it a road partially excavated in the rock which allows to enjoy this place, with points where the minimum width of the Gorge is only 20 meters in a very spectacular way.
Terradets Gorge: territory of great natural beauty, next to the sierra de Montsec and reservoir. The zone boasts tourist infrastructure (hotel, restaurant, cottages) and activities (climbing, caving, horse riding, water sports).
The Mur Gorge: One of the most beautiful excursions that can be made is the crossing of the Gorge of the Mur. Much of this route runs between cliffs and fantastic corners where the river is encased to form an impressive area of great beauty.
Mig Segre route: This route is raised in order to enjoy the wealth of Romanesque churches.
Transsegre Balaguer: is the collective celebration of summer that develops in the city of Balaguer, where heat, water and a festive atmosphere, are the main components of this festival, a celebration which asserts the recovery of the River through a non-competitive descent. Each year gathers participants enthusiastic about original handcrafted construction.
Decrease of Rais, Coll de Nargó: popular party wants to recall the use of the river Segre as the axis of communication. In mid-August in the main square of the village, we can see how made rafts and Saturday as rafts go down the river. It is a festive day with a series of events parallel popular breakfast, Fireworks...