Pyrenees Ribes De Freser To Vall De Núria Via Queralbs

About Ribes De Freser To Vall De Núria Via Queralbs

This is a linear 15km MEDIUM or MEDIUM-HARD mountain walk starting at Ribes de Freser and finishing at Vall de Núria Winter Ski and Summer resort. To return to Ribes de Freser take the Cremallera racked railway from Núria Ski resort back to Ribes de Freser Renfe station.

Núria is a valley with a hotel complex and ski resort at an altitude of 1965 metres above sea level with Ribes de Freser being 899 metres above sea level so the total elevation gain along this route is 1331 metres which earns this route a MEDUIM-HARD classification.

From RENFE Ribes de Freser walk towards the centre of the town parrallel to the river. We turn off at a curve in the road and take a small alley out of the town and into the forest. From here start heading up through cattle grazing hills.

The route is 100% uphill all the way with brief flat sections. The first half of the route is through forests, foothill grazing farm land and small mountain villages arriving at the pituresque town of Queralbs. Note that the Cremallera racked railway stops at queralbs so those wanting to do a shorter route can cut this section out and start from Queralbs village.

The second half of the route enters the Núria river valley and we walk up a mountain path that has old stone bridges, caves, waterfalls, viewpoints and small pine forests.

This route can also be done in reverse starting at Núria ski resort but I prefer to do it starting at Ribes de Freser because it is a good workout. A MEDIUM level of fitness is required. I Completed the route in 6 hours as an experienced mountain hiker. Note that good time management is also necessary to ensure getting the last Cremallera train back to Ribes de Freser.

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Visiting Ribes De Freser To Vall De Núria Via Queralbs

About 2 minutes walk from the Renfe Train station is Bar Gusi which serves snacks and drinks all day, including vegan options.

Allow 6-9 hours to complete the route depending on physical fitness.

I recommend completing this route from June to August to enjoy the wild flowers in the meadows, full leafy green forests and to swim in Núria Lake or the Salt de la Cua de Vavall waterfall near Núria Resort.

Accessibility, mobility & Clothing for Ribes De Freser To Vall De Núria Via Queralbs

I pack for wind and rain when doing this hike because it is in the high Pyrenees mountains.

I recommend 2-3 litres of water because there is nowhere to top up water bottles along the route.

If doing this as a winter hike, I recommend crampons for added traction on any snow or ice.

Small 30L Hiking Rucksack

Includes high visibility fog and rain waterproof cover in zip compartment at bottom of rucksack.

Gore-Tex Hiking boots

I prefer ankle high boots on mountain trails for the ankle support and increased stability over rocky trails.

Full length Running leggings

For running in the hills around Barcelona or as a base layer for high mountain trails.

Compact First Aid Kit

Small lightweight first aid kit

Phone Case for watersports

IPX8 waterproof floating and submersible case & Lanyard. Permits photos and touchscreen use.

warm Wool socks

With toe and heel reinforcements that give good padding.

Convertible Trousers

Lightweight convertible trousers that zip down to shorts

Base layer short sleve

Thermal short sleve skin tight top

Mid layer Top

Light weight cotton quick dry T-shirt

Fleece jacket or Jersey

Light weight warm fleece

Windproof & Waterproof shell

Waterproof jacket and windbreaker

Lightweight Towel

Compact lightweight microfibre towel for coastal and mountain hiking

Wet shoes

Waterproof shoes for coastal hikes and remote stoney beaches.

Getting to Ribes De Freser To Vall De Núria Via Queralbs

Address: Estacio de Muntanya, Vall de Nuria. 17534

Take the Renfe R3 Rodalies train to Ribes de Freser and use the Vall de Núria Cremallera to return from Núria Resort. The route starts at Ribes de Freser and ends at Núria Resort.

Train fares and times for the Cremallera racked railway can be found on the Vall de Núria website. A combined Renfe and Cremallera ticket is available, TreNatura which is considerably cheaper than buying the tickets individually.

The combined Renfe + Cremallera return ticket called TreNatura can be purchased from any Renfe Rodalies ticket machine or purchased online. Note that the combined return ticket will print out two tickets. One is for the Renfe segment and one for the cremallera segment. When you get to Ribes de Freser you have to swap the cremallera ticket at the Nuria cremallera ticket office for a barcode ticket that can be used on the cremallera ticket machines.

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