Route&Camp

Catalonia, Spain

Catalan Pyrenees by motorhome, campervan or caravan: 3, 7 or 15-day route

High valleys, Romanesque churches, mountain villages and the only national park in Catalonia, from the volcanoes of Olot to the Val d'Aran.

More photos of Catalan Pyrenees (opens Google Images in a new tab)
Black horses grazing on a high mountain meadow next to a wooden signpost on a stone base, with pine woods and Pyrenean peaks behind
High meadows of the Catalan Pyrenees

How many days do you have?

Catalan Pyrenees in 7 days

Distance≈ 420 km
Stages7
DifficultyMedium to hard
Best timeJune to September

From Ripoll to the Vall de Boí: Romanesque monasteries, the Vall de Núria, the Pedraforca, the Cerdanya, rafting in Sort and the only national park in Catalonia.

Where is it?

SPAINPORTUGALFRANCEAtlantic OceanMediterranean SeaMadridBarcelonaCatalan Pyrenees

About this route

The Catalan Pyrenees stretch for more than 200 km along the border with France and Andorra: green valleys with stone villages, rivers for rafting, high meadows where cows and horses graze freely, and peaks of almost 3,000 m. It is also the land of Romanesque art, with monasteries such as Ripoll and the UNESCO-listed churches of the Vall de Boí. The 3-day version covers the Ripollès and the Cerdanya, the 7-day one goes from Ripoll to the Vall de Boí, and the 15-day one crosses the whole range, from the volcanoes of Olot to the Val d'Aran.

Mountain roads with mountain passes, steep climbs and many bends. Some access roads to villages are very narrow.

Updated

Route map

Loading map…

Campsites, areas and parking come from OpenStreetMap. They can be incomplete or out of date: check before you go and always follow local signs.

Take this route with you

Catalan Pyrenees in 7 days

Google MapsPart 1: days 1–4Google MapsPart 2: days 4–7 WazeNavigate to the start: Ripoll GPX fileFor Google My Maps, OsmAnd, Garmin, CoPilot… WhatsAppShare this route with your travel companions

The TXT file needs an internet connection to collect the campsites and motorhome areas. Google Maps opens the stops in order (long routes are split into parts, because Google Maps allows 10 points per route). Waze only navigates to one place at a time, so each day also has its own Waze button. Routes are a guide, not a fixed plan: in most cases you can also drive them in a different direction and skip stops.

No vehicle? Rent one for this route

Day by day

Routes are a guide, not a fixed plan: in most cases you can also drive them in a different direction and skip stops.

Catalan Pyrenees in 7 days

  1. Day1 Ripoll, Sant Joan and Camprodon≈ 30 km · ≈ 40 min driving
    Where to sleep tonightCampsites and areas within 10 km of Camprodon

      WAIT 30s... Loading campsites and motorhome areas…

      Data from OpenStreetMap: check before you go.

      • Ripoll

        Known as the cradle of Catalonia: its monastery of Santa Maria has one of the most important Romanesque portals in Europe, carved like a "Bible in stone".

        What to see (4)
        • Romanesque portal The carved portal of Santa Maria de Ripoll, with scenes from the Bible.
        • Cloister The two-storey cloister of the monastery.
        • Tomb of Wilfred the Hairy The founder of the House of Barcelona is buried in the monastery.
        • Ethnographic Museum Tools, crafts and the history of the Ripollès, next to the monastery.

      • Sant Joan de les Abadesses

        A small town around a Romanesque monastery founded in the 9th century, with a medieval bridge over the Ter river.

        What to see (4)
        • Monastery The Romanesque church and the Gothic cloister of the monastery.
        • Holy Mystery A wooden Descent from the Cross from 1251, one of the best of its time.
        • Old bridge The medieval bridge over the Ter river, rebuilt after the Spanish Civil War.
        • Greenway The old railway line to Ripoll and Ogassa is now a cycle path.

      • Camprodon

        A mountain town where two rivers meet, with a 12th-century humpbacked bridge, elegant summer villas and shops selling local sausages and biscuits.

        What to see (4)
        • Pont Nou The 12th-century humpbacked stone bridge over the Ter river, symbol of the town.
        • Isaac Albéniz Museum The composer was born here; a small museum tells his life.
        • Local products Try the dry sausages and the Birba biscuits, both local specialities.
        • Monastery of Sant Pere A small Romanesque church from the 12th century.
      Google Maps Waze
    • Day2 Vall de Núria≈ 25 km · ≈ 35 min driving
      Where to sleep tonightCampsites and areas within 10 km of Vall de Núria

        WAIT 30s... Loading campsites and motorhome areas…

        Data from OpenStreetMap: check before you go.

        • Vall de Núria

          A high valley with a sanctuary and a lake at almost 2,000 m, reached only by a rack railway from Ribes de Freser or Queralbs.

          What to see (4)
          • Rack railway A 40-minute ride up a gorge with waterfalls, from Ribes de Freser to the valley.
          • Sanctuary The sanctuary and hotel by the lake, at about 1,960 m.
          • Lake and walks Easy walks around the lake and longer hikes towards the Puigmal and the waterfalls.
          • Cable car A small cable car goes up to the Pic de l'Àliga youth hostel, with views over the valley.

          With a motorhome or caravan: There is no road to Núria. Leave the vehicle at the rack railway station in Ribes de Freser (Ribes-Enllaç) or in Queralbs and take the train up.

        Google Maps Waze
      • Day3 Castellar de n'Hug, Bagà and the Pedraforca≈ 60 km · ≈ 1 h 20 min driving
        Where to sleep tonightCampsites and areas within 10 km of Pedraforca (Saldes and Gósol)

          WAIT 30s... Loading campsites and motorhome areas…

          Data from OpenStreetMap: check before you go.

          • Castellar de n'Hug

            A stone village on a ridge, a short walk from the springs of the Llobregat river and close to a Modernist cement factory turned museum.

            What to see (4)
            • Springs of the Llobregat The source of the river, a short walk from the village, best after rain.
            • Cement Museum (Clot del Moro) A Modernist cement factory from the early 20th century, now a museum.
            • Sheepdog trials A famous sheepdog competition takes place at the end of August.
            • Stone village The steep lanes and the church at the top of the village.

            With a motorhome or caravan: The roads to Castellar (from La Pobla de Lillet or from the Collada de Toses) are narrow and winding in places. Drive slowly.

          • Bagà

            A medieval village with an arcaded square and a Cathar history, at the gateway of the Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park.

            What to see (3)
            • Arcaded square The medieval square with its stone arches.
            • Cadí-Moixeró park centre The visitor centre of the natural park, with information on walks.
            • Medieval centre The old walls, the church and the centre on the Middle Ages and the Cathars.

          • Pedraforca (Saldes and Gósol)

            The forked rock mountain that is a symbol of Catalonia, with viewpoints, forest walks and the village of Gósol, where Picasso spent a summer.

            What to see (4)
            • Gresolet viewpoint The classic view of the forked peak above the forest.
            • Gósol A mountain village where Picasso spent the summer of 1906.
            • Saldes The village at the foot of the north face, with walks to the meadows below the peak.
            • Forest walks Shady paths through pine woods around the mountain.

            With a motorhome or caravan: The roads around the Pedraforca are narrow mountain roads. The track to the Gresolet viewpoint is not suitable for large vehicles.

          Google Maps Waze
        • Day4 Puigcerdà and Llívia≈ 55 km · ≈ 1 h 15 min driving
          Where to sleep tonightCampsites and areas within 10 km of Llívia

            WAIT 30s... Loading campsites and motorhome areas…

            Data from OpenStreetMap: check before you go.

            • Puigcerdà

              The capital of the Cerdanya, a wide sunny valley, with a lake surrounded by summer villas and a bell tower with views over the plain.

              What to see (4)
              • The lake A small lake surrounded by summer villas and plane trees, with rowing boats.
              • Bell tower The bell tower of the old church, with views over the whole Cerdanya.
              • Sunday market One of the busiest markets of the area, on Sundays.
              • Old town Shops, terraces and the long arcaded street.

            • Llívia

              A Spanish town completely surrounded by France. It has one of the oldest pharmacies in Europe, now a small museum.

              What to see (3)
              • Esteve Pharmacy A pharmacy founded in the 15th century, now a museum with old jars and medicines.
              • Church of Our Lady of the Angels A fortified church at the top of the town.
              • Castle hill A walk up to the ruins of the castle, with views over the valley.
            Google Maps Waze
          • Day5 Bellver and La Seu d'Urgell≈ 50 km · ≈ 1 h 5 min driving
            Where to sleep tonightCampsites and areas within 10 km of La Seu d'Urgell

              WAIT 30s... Loading campsites and motorhome areas…

              Data from OpenStreetMap: check before you go.

              • Bellver de Cerdanya

                A hilltop medieval village above the Segre river, with an arcaded square and views of the Cadí range.

                What to see (3)
                • Medieval village The steep lanes and the arcaded square on top of the hill.
                • Santa Maria de Talló A Romanesque church known as "the cathedral of the Cerdanya", a short drive away.
                • Segre river A riverside path and the old bridge below the village.

              • La Seu d'Urgell

                A bishop's town with a Romanesque cathedral, old arcaded streets and the white-water park built for the 1992 Olympics. Andorra is only 10 km away.

                What to see (4)
                • Cathedral of Santa Maria A Romanesque cathedral from the 12th century, with a beautiful cloister.
                • Old town Arcaded streets and the old covered market.
                • Parc del Segre The white-water canoe park built for the 1992 Olympics, open for rafting and canoeing.
                • Andorra The border with Andorra is about 10 km away, for a day trip.
              Google Maps Waze
            • Day6 Sort and Espot≈ 85 km · ≈ 1 h 55 min driving
              Where to sleep tonightCampsites and areas within 10 km of Espot and Aigüestortes

                WAIT 30s... Loading campsites and motorhome areas…

                Data from OpenStreetMap: check before you go.

                • Sort

                  The capital of rafting in Spain, on the fast Noguera Pallaresa river, and famous for its lottery shop, whose name means "luck".

                  What to see (3)
                  • Rafting Rafting and canoe trips on the Noguera Pallaresa, from easy to wild.
                  • Lottery shop Buy a ticket at La Bruixa d'Or, the most famous lottery shop in Spain.
                  • Castle The ruins of the castle of the Counts of Pallars, above the town.

                • Espot and Aigüestortes

                  The eastern gateway to the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, the only one in Catalonia: lakes, waterfalls and granite peaks.

                  What to see (4)
                  • Lake of Sant Maurici The lake below the twin peaks of Els Encantats, the image of the park.
                  • 4x4 taxis Taxis leave from Espot to the lake; from there, walk to other lakes.
                  • Ratera waterfall An easy walk from Sant Maurici to a waterfall and a smaller lake.
                  • Wildlife Look out for chamois, marmots and birds of prey.

                  With a motorhome or caravan: Private vehicles cannot drive into the national park. Leave the vehicle in Espot and take the park's 4x4 taxis, or walk in.

                Google Maps Waze
              • Day7 Vall de Boí≈ 115 km · ≈ 2 h 35 min driving

                • Vall de Boí (Taüll)

                  A valley with nine Romanesque churches listed by UNESCO. In Sant Climent de Taüll, the famous painted Christ comes back to life with a video projection.

                  What to see (4)
                  • Sant Climent de Taüll The church of the famous Pantocrator; the original painting is in Barcelona, and a video projection shows it in place.
                  • Santa Maria de Taüll Another Romanesque church in the same village.
                  • Sant Joan de Boí The church with copies of its colourful wall paintings.
                  • Caldes de Boí A spa with hot springs at the top of the valley.
                Google Maps Waze

              Distances and driving times are approximate, measured between stops. Use the Directions links for the exact road route.

              Tips for motorhomes, campervans and caravans

              • Overnight stays

                Many mountain towns have motorhome areas, and there are plenty of campsites. In Catalonia camping outside campsites (awning out, chairs, levelling blocks) is not allowed, and overnight parking is restricted inside natural and national parks. Always follow local signs.

              • Mountain roads and passes

                Expect long climbs, hairpin bends and passes above 1,800 m, such as Toses and the Bonaigua. Use low gears on the way down to save your brakes. In winter some passes close and you need winter tyres or snow chains.

              • Afternoon storms

                In summer, thunderstorms often build up in the afternoon. Start walks early, check the forecast and do not stay on exposed ridges when a storm is coming.

              • National park and Núria

                Private vehicles cannot drive inside the Aigüestortes National Park (use the 4x4 taxis from Espot or Boí), and the Vall de Núria is only reached by rack railway.

              • Livestock and wildlife

                Cows and horses graze freely on the high pastures and sometimes stand on the road. Slow down, do not feed them, close the gates you open and keep dogs on a lead.

              Frequently asked questions

              How many days do you need for the Catalan Pyrenees by motorhome, campervan or caravan?

              Three days are enough for the Ripollès and the Cerdanya: the monasteries of Ripoll and Sant Joan de les Abadesses, the Vall de Núria and Puigcerdà. With seven days you can drive from Ripoll to the Vall de Boí, passing the Pedraforca, the Cerdanya and La Seu d'Urgell. Fifteen days let you cross the whole range, from the volcanoes of Olot to the Val d'Aran.

              Where can you sleep with a motorhome, campervan or caravan in the Catalan Pyrenees?

              In campsites, and with a motorhome or campervan also in the motorhome areas of many mountain towns. Caravans are usually only accepted in campsites. In Catalonia, camping outside campsites is not allowed, and inside natural and national parks overnight parking is restricted. The route map shows the campsites, motorhome areas and parking places near every stop.

              When is the best time to visit the Catalan Pyrenees?

              From June to September, when the mountain passes are open and the high valleys are green. Summer afternoons often bring thunderstorms, so plan walks for the morning. In winter there is snow from November to April: some passes close and you need winter tyres or snow chains.

              Can you drive the Catalan Pyrenees route in reverse or skip stops?

              Yes. The route is a guide, not a fixed plan: you can start in the Val d'Aran and drive east, begin at whichever stop is closest to you, or skip the stops that interest you less. Distances between stops stay the same in both directions.

              Are the roads suitable for large motorhomes and caravans?

              The main roads (C-17, N-260, C-14, N-230) are good but have long climbs and many bends. The road to Beget and some tracks to mountain villages are very narrow and not suitable for large motorhomes or caravans. The Vall de Núria has no road at all: you go up by rack railway. Private vehicles cannot drive inside the Aigüestortes National Park.

              More routes in Spain

              Folded rock headland between two sandy beaches with turquoise water and green fields above the cliffs on the Costa Quebrada in Cantabria Northern Spain

              Cantabrian Coast

              Green Spain from San Sebastián to the Cathedrals Beach: cliffs, fishing towns, the Picos de Europa and the best food in the country.

              3 days7 days15 days
              Difficulty
              Medium
              Best time
              June to September
              White houses and pine-covered hills around a bay full of small boats near Begur on the Costa Brava Catalonia

              Costa Brava

              Coves, fishing villages and medieval towns along the coast of Girona, from Blanes to the French border.

              3 days7 days15 days
              Difficulty
              Easy to medium
              Best time
              May–June and September