The 18th stage of the Trans-Pyrenees Crossing runs almost entirely within the boundaries of the High Pyrenees Nature Reserve. Today the GR 11 leads to two important valleys in Pallars: the Noguera de Vallferrera River Valley and the Noguera de Cardós River Valley. During the first part of the stage you will take on the demanding ascent to Tudela Hill, which connects the two valleys and becomes an exceptional viewpoint of this entire area of the Pyrenees. During the second part of the stage you will enjoy a long and pleasant stretch that descends to Tavascan, through the picturesque town of Boldís Sobirà.
Tracks
Technical info
Starting point of the stage
Àreu
Endpoint of the stage
Tavascan
Distance
16,60
Duration
5:00h
Total ascent
+1.100m / -1.205m
Maximum altitude
2239
Minimum altitude
1120
Dificultat
Considerable. Derived from the length and ascent to overcome. This stage does not have any technical difficulties.
Època
In winter and spring, you may encounter snow on Tudela Hill.
Material
No special equipment required.
Cartography
High Pyrenees Nature Reserve. 01:50.000. Editorial Alpina.
Topographic base of Catalonia 1:25.000. Geological and Cartographic Institute of Catalonia (ICGC).
Route
Let's begin the 18th stage of the Trans-Pyrenees Crossing to (1) Àreu (0:00 - 1,225m). Leave the town heading north and cross the hamlet of Força d'Àreu. You will begin the demanding ascent here to cabins of Costuix and Tudela Hill. Advance on a path that crosses the track that also goes up until reaching the cabins in Costuix. This track makes long loops, while the path that you are hiking is much more direct. Ascend through the interior of the forest until reaching a meadow, the Costuix Plains, where you will find the (2) cabins of Costuix (0:50 - 1,723m). Leave to the right (N) the way that continues flat towards the cabins of Pilanera and you will continue ascending in the direction of Tudela Hill (W-NW).
You will enter the stunning Tudela Pine Forest. The slope is intense and the climb is demanding, but the environment where you will advance is fabulous. You will finally reach the view from (3) Tudela Hill (1:50 - 2,239m). You are in a wonderful place! Tudela Hill connects with the Noguera de Vallferrera Valley and the Noguera de Cardós Valley and offers sensational views of Pica d'Estats (3,143m, NE), Monteixo (2,905m, E) and the mountains of the Aigüestortes National Park and Sant Maurici Lake (W), with one of the highlights being the unmistakable silhouette of the Encantats (2,745m and 2,725m).
Pay attention to the red and white GR markers and start to descend through Comes de Llossau straight towards the NW. You will reach the western crest that goes down from Tudela Peak and connects to a dirt track. From this point and until Boldís Sobirà continue following the track, which goes down through the wooded area of Fontanilles and Obac de Boldís. In this stretch you will see the so-called Boldissos -Boldís Sobirà and Boldís Jussà-, two small elevated towns.
Continue advancing and you will reach (4) Boldís Sobirà (3:35 - 1,490m). Cross the town and continue the stage on a path that runs along the mountain plain at an altitude of approximately 1,480m. Go up the Cardós Valley halfway and towards the north. When you reach the Planes Ravine, the way starts to sharply descend towards the valley. You will pass through Colomer Plains and continue the descent to (5) Tavascan (5:00 - 1,120m), a town that is located in the junction between the Tavascan Valley (NW) and the Lladorre Valley (NE).
Highlights
The extraordinary views that you will enjoy from Tudela Hill.
Discovering the Costuix Plains and the cabins of the same name.
Finishing the stage in the charming town of Tavascan.
Did you know that...
Many cabins have been abandoned in recent decades? The cabins were rural buildings, normally two floors, stone walls and slate roofing that farmers built in grazing areas to spend the night, close in livestock or store tools. The depopulation of the Pyrenees and the evolution and the changes that have occurred in livestock farming have resulted in many cabins being abandoned.
Do not miss...
Walking through the wide mountain pass of Tudela. In this pass, the crest of the Costuix Mountains is flat and has a small elongated plateau. After a hard climb from Àreu, it is well worth a rest in this beautiful place to admire the magnificent environment that surrounds you: the views, the landscape, vegetation, forests, valleys, etc.
Image gallery
