Stage 10: Santuari de Núria - Planoles

Let's begin the 10th stage of the Trans-Pyrenees Crossing to the (1) Shrine of Núria (0:00 - 1,960m). From the shrine you will pass by the Sant Gil Chapel and continue heading south following the white and red GR 11 markers and the Queralbs signposts. Almost immediately, after a short climb, you will reach a fork in the road at (2) the plains of Creu d'en Riba (0:08 - 1.986m). To the right, climbing up the mountains and zigzaging, leaves the variant GR 11-8 passing through the Fontalba Mountain Pass and re-connecting with the GR 11 at the Home Mort Fountain. Continue straight ahead, on the classic GR 11 route, which descends to the Núria river valley and passes by Queralbs.  

During the long descent to Queralbs we will advance on the Camí Vell de Núria. This path is a classic Catalan hike where you will surely encounter other hikers. Continue along the River Nuria and you will find beautiful waterfalls and gorge areas such as the Cua de Cavall and Sastre Waterfalls. During your descent you will be accompanied by the popular Núria cog railway, which you will cross on a few occasions. Núria Valley joins the valley of the River Freser in the Daió area. In this section the path moves away from the bottom of the valley and flanks the mountains above the cliffs of Passereta. Continue walking and you will soon reach (3) Queralbs (2:00 - 1.201m), a charming mountain village that invites you to make a stop.

Continue on the stage following the directions for Planoles and the white and red GR markers. Now you take on the long climb up to the waterfall of Home Mort and the small mountain pass of Barraques. Just coming out of Queralbs passing by the Sant Jaume Church and its lovely porch wall. Continue up the River Tosa, also known as the Estremera Valley, on its northern side (N), initially continuing on tracks and then paths. Continue up the River Tosa, also known as theEstremera Valley, on its northern side (N), initially continuing on tracks and then paths. You arrive at the (4) Home Mort Fountain (3:50 - 1.805m), a point where two secondary valleys converge and where you will make an almost 180-degree turn and travel to the other side of the valley. Now walk straight to the south and uphill till reaching (5) the mountain pass of Barraques (4:25 - 1.894m), a spectacular panoramic point that offers great views of Puigmal (N) and the mountains of Olla de Núria (N - NE), Balandrau (E), Ribes Valley (S), the Montgrony Mountain Range (S)...

You have finished the entire stretch uphill. Now you just need to descend to Planoles, which you can already see at the bottom of the valley. Descend alternating sections of tracks and paths through a very nice wooded area. You will finally reach the town of (5) Planoles (5:45 - 1.145m), where you will enter from its extreme north, right next to the Can Fosses campsite.