Snowshoeing New Year's Eve in the Pyrenees


Trip description

A snowshoeing New Year’s Eve in the Pyrenees, in one of the most beautiful sites of the Val d'Aran, at the refuge of Montgarri.

Spend a magical New Year’s Eve at the comfortable and charming refuge of Montgarri, where change of scenery, discovery, conviviality and good food will be there. Large forests of fir trees and lofty summits dominate the place; snowshoeing, the light bag, will be the opportunity to discover, in the heart of the Val d'Aran, the snowy landscapes of this particular region to the mysterious history... Located on the wild border of the Aran Valley and the Ariège, Montgarri was once a mountain hamlet and a place of pilgrimage... Nothing remained but ruins until a dynamic team revived the church and its rectory by renovating them. Kim, the caretaker of this inn, runs the establishment brilliantly; its gastronomy is renowned throughout the Val d'Aran and even on the French side! The New Year’s Eve dinner and the party that follows remain exceptional!

Discover the agency :
VIAMONTS TREKKING


4 days

From : €590*

Maximum recommended reservation date
30/12/2020



Sarah

Sarah will help you if you have some doubts regarding the choice of the destination. She skillfully manipulates technical tools related to your registration and will “fight” for your travel became THE trek of your life!

Day 1: Wednesday, December 30: Saint-Gaudens - Deth Miei peak (2258 m) - Montgarri

Day 2: Thursday, December 31: Montgarri - Marimanha Valley (2208 m) - New Year's Eve

Day 3: Friday, January 1st: Montgarri - Bandolers Valley

Day 4: Saturday, January 02: Montgarri - St-Gaudens - End of stay

Day 1 : Wednesday, December 30: Saint-Gaudens - Deth Miei peak (2258 m) - Montgarri

Parc National ©Emmanuel Chupin - Shutterstock.com


Welcome by our guide in Saint-Gaudens station at 9 am then transfer by car in the Val d'Aran to the ski resort of Pla de Beret. Snowshoeing to Deth Miei Peak (2258 m); superb panorama on the big snow-covered slopes of Baciver Peak (2629 m) and Deth Dossau Peak (2516 m). Then gentle descent among the snow-covered pine forests and the numerous clearings. Arrival at the Montgarri refuge located in the old presbytery of the village. Welcome and installation at the refuge where you will find your luggage.

Transfer: private vehicle, approximately 1 hour 20 minutes. Walking time: about 4 hours. Positive drop: + 430 m. Negative drop: - 620 m. Accommodation: guarded and heated shelter. Meals included: lunch - dinner. Meals not included: breakfast.
 




Day 2 : Thursday, December 31: Montgarri - Marimanha Valley (2208 m) - New Year's Eve

Solsona ©A.S.Floro - Shutterstock.com


Discovery of the ancient village of Montgarri built along the torrent of the Noguera Paillaresa and then departure through the forests of pines and fir trees in the secret valley of Marimanha.  Soon, the valley widened and the forest gave way to large snow fields. Picnic at the shepherd’s hut overlooking the valley, and continuation by a beautiful loop that can lead us to the first lakes of Marimanha (2208 m) (depending on the shape of the group). Back to the refuge where the preparations for the New Year are well underway... Dinner and evening in the company of Kim and his team: exceptional dinner in this refuge "from the end of the world" with a unique atmosphere... Lit by the fireplace, unlimited drinks, songs, dances, but also the famous New Year’s grapes (Spanish tradition obliges!) tasted to the sound of the church chimes will brighten this festive night. Don’t hesitate to bring cotillions! 

Walking time: 5 to 6 hours. Positive drop: + 660 m. Negative drop: - 660 m. Accommodation: guarded and heated shelter. Meals included: breakfast - lunch - festive dinner and New Year’s Eve party.




Day 3 : Friday, January 1st: Montgarri - Bandolers Valley

Pico de Salòria. ©SIBOCCC-CREATIVE COMMONS


Departure for the Bandolers Valley… To the east of the refuge, a little unknown valley opens; it gives access to the peak of Bandolers (2,329 m), a unique viewpoint to contemplate the immensity of the Pla de Beret and the valley of Montgarri overlooked by the surrounding mountains. The Isards have taken up residence there; it is very likely that they will allow themselves to be observed…

Walking time: about 5 hours. Positive drop: + 680 m. Negative drop: - 680 m. Accommodation: guarded and heated refuge. Meals included: breakfast - lunch - dinner.




Day 4 : Saturday, January 02: Montgarri - St-Gaudens - End of stay

Montagnes bleues de la vallée de Camprodon. ©Ignasi Jansa - shutterstock.com


Hike through the pine and fir forests, then along the torrent of the Noguera Pallaresa half buried under the snow... real landscape of "Great Canadian North" where wild boars, deer, isards and hares leave their footprints... Arrival on the Pla de Beret then transfer back in middle of afternoon in Saint-Gaudens station.

Transfer: private vehicle, approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. Walking time: about 3 hours. Positive drop: + 300 m. Negative drop: - 100 m. Meals included: breakfast - lunch. Meals not included: dinner.




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