Pyrenees Vall De Núria Resort Hotel & Restaurant Complex

About Nuria Winter and Summer Mountain resort

The Vall de Núria resort sits at an altitude of almost 1964m above sea level at the top of the Ribes Valley at junction where several mountain rivers meet and is built at the foot of an artificaial lake Estany de Núria located 5km from the French border higher up in the Ripollès region of the Pyrenees mountains.

The only way to visit the Vall de Núria resort is via the Cremmallera de Nuria rack railway that leaves from Ribes de Freser and stops in Queralbs before ascending to the Núria resort.

Vall de Núria is a fantastic place to connect with nature in summer and winter and you will find the ammenaties of a Mare de Déu de Núria sanctuary, the Sant Gil chapel and the Núria hotel complex with five restaurants. The resort was built for skiing and winter sports but is also a great place to use as a base for summer hiking in the Pyrenees.

The fist thing you will notice about the resort is that it is surrounded by mountains reaching almost 3000m above sea level, The highest being Puigmal. The surrounding mountains have been converted into ski slopes for all levels from Beginner skiers to advanced and off piste routes. There are also several Snow shoe routes from the sanctuary.

Núria resort has 10 alpine ski pistes (three green, three blue, two red and two black), and a special slope for sleighs, totalling 7 kilometres of marked pistes. A quad chair lift from the resort base at 1964 metres (6,444 ft), goes up to its highest point, at 2252 m.; two platter lifts serve the beginners' area; and a gondola lift ("telecabina") accesses the Pic de l'Aliga hostel.

Vall De Núria Resort History

According to legend, Saint Gil, born in Athens, was appointed bishop of Nîmes. He carved the image of the Virgin Mary while living in the valley, between the years 700 to 703AD. Saint Gil evangelisised the shephards infront of a cross that he carved. Becuause od persecution, Sant Gil left the Virgin Mary carved statue in a cave where it remailed lost.

In 1072 a man named Amadeu came from Dalmatia to search for relics of Mary. Shepherds knew the tradition of Saint Gil and helped him to raise a modest chapel (the origin of the sanctuary). In the early twentieth century Núria gained popularity for mountaineering and winter sports in Catalunya.

In 1919 The transpirinenc railway Barcelona to Puigcerda line arrived at Ribes de Freser. In 1928 the construction of the Rack Railway began. On the 30th December 1930 the first locomotive reached Núria and the line was inaugurated 22nd March 1931. The modern day resort was built at the same time as the rack railway.

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Visiting Nuria Winter and Summer Mountain resort

Núria resort and the Vall de Núria Cremallera racked railway normally close each year between November and mid December for annual maintenance and to switch the resort over from summer operation to winter operation.

Núria Resort is a hotel and leisure activities complex for winter and summer.

There is a large lake formed from damming the rivers that flow down to Nuria. In the summer kayaks or row boats can be rented and in the winter the lake is frozen over and the resort is a popular ski location. Also, there are numerous mountain walking trails via Núria Resort such as Nuria to Queralbs via Núria Valley, Núria to Puigmal summit on the French border, Ribes de Freser to Núria via Núria valley. These routes are famous for their outstanding natural beauty.

Accessibility, mobility & Clothing for Nuria Winter and Summer Mountain resort

The rack railway is theoretically accessible in a wheelchair and is a great way to get to the high Pyrenees.

Once in Núria there are paths around the resort and lake for short walks with pushchairs. There is also a children's playground.

If just visiting the Núria resort, lake and playground areas no need for any specialist clothes, just pack for the weather and season. You can check the webcams on the Núria website to see if there is snow.

For hiking activities in this area I have a recommended list of equipment for each activity.

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

Crampons for Snow & Ice

When hiking in the Pyrenees and high mountains in winter I use Crampons for added traction on snow and ice patches.

Getting to Nuria Winter and Summer Mountain resort

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 get to Nuria Resort

Train fares and times for the Vall de Núria Cremallera racked railway can be found on the Núria de Nuria 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 Núria Cremallera ticket office for a barcode ticket that can be used on the Cremallera ticket machines.

Documents for Nuria Winter and Summer Mountain resort

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