Pyrenees Vall De Núria Rack Railway & Queralbs village

About the Vall De Núria Racked Railway & Queralbs

The Vall de Núria Rack Railway is one of the most spectacular scenic mountain railways in the Catalan Pyrenees. It connects Ribes de Freser with Queralbs and the high‑mountain Vall de Núria ski and summer resort, located just 5 km from the French border. Because there is no road access to Vall de Núria, the Cremallera is the only way to reach the sanctuary and resort — unless you hike up the valley via the classic Vall de Núria trail.

This complete isolation from road traffic makes the journey feel special from the moment the train departs. In summer, the Cremallera glides through alpine meadows, deep green forests and a dramatic mountain valley carved by the Núria river. In winter, the same landscape transforms into the living embodiment of Narnia — frozen waterfalls, snow‑covered pines and a silent white valley that feels completely untouched.

Whether you are visiting for hiking, skiing, or simply to enjoy the mountain air, the Cremallera is more than transport — it is an essential part of the Vall de Núria experience, offering one of the most beautiful train journeys in the Pyrenees.

Vall de Núria Cremallera History

1919: The Transpirinenc railway from Barcelona reached Ribes de Freser.
1928: Construction of the Cremallera Rack Railway began.
30 December 1930: The first locomotive reached Núria.
22 March 1931: The line was officially inaugurated.

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Visiting Vall De Núria Racked Railway & Queralbs

The Vall de Núria Cremallera begins at Ribes Enllaç, directly connected to the Renfe R3 Rodalies station in Ribes de Freser. From the moment the train departs, the journey feels special — this is the only way to reach Vall de Núria without hiking, as no road enters the valley. The isolation is part of its magic.

Shortly after leaving Ribes Enllaç, the train crosses a beautiful stone‑arched viaduct over the river and arrives at Ribes Vila, the central station in the town. Next to the platform is the Núria Cremallera Museum, housed in the old railway shed and well worth a visit before or after your trip.

From Ribes Vila, the line begins its gentle climb toward Queralbs, a postcard‑perfect mountain village with stone houses, a Romanesque church and timeless rural charm. Up to this point the railway uses normal adhesion rails, as the gradient is still manageable without the cog system.

After departing Queralbs, the character of the journey changes. The train slows, the driver announces the transition, and you feel a small bump as the cog wheel engages the rack between the rails. From here the incline steepens and the Cremallera enters a dramatic sequence of tunnels and cliff‑side sections that carry you deep into the Vall de Núria river valley.

The scenery becomes increasingly spectacular: waterfalls, narrow gorges, high granite walls and glimpses of the alpine basin ahead. In summer, the valley is filled with wildflowers, green meadows and grazing horses. In winter, the landscape transforms into something straight out of Game of Thrones — a silent, snow‑covered valley of frozen waterfalls, white forests and icy cliffs that feel like they belong somewhere beyond the Wall.

After a long tunnel, the train emerges beside the artificial Núria lake and glides into the resort station. The full journey from Ribes Enllaç to Núria takes around 40 minutes, but it feels like travelling into another world.

The resort and the Cremallera normally close between November and mid‑December for annual maintenance and to transition from summer to winter operations.

About two minutes from the Renfe station in Ribes de Freser you’ll find Bar Gusi, a convenient stop for snacks, drinks and vegan options before or after your trip.

Even if you’re not hiking, Vall de Núria is a fantastic day trip simply to enjoy the mountain air and the scenic railway. You can take a gentle walk around the lake, explore the sanctuary, or stop off in Queralbs to wander its beautiful stone streets.

Vall de Núria Cremallera Museum

The Vall de Núria Cremallera Museum offers a fascinating look into the history of this unique mountain railway. Inside the restored railway shed at Ribes Vila, visitors can explore the original Geperuda locomotive, step inside the historic Electric E‑3 train as it was first built, and even walk through the beautifully decorated dining carriage — considered a luxury in its day and still used on special occasions.

Entry is free, and the museum is open daily from 08:30 to 20:00, making it an easy and worthwhile stop before or after your journey on the Cremallera.

Vall de Núria Cremallera with a Dog

Dogs are welcome on the Vall de Núria Rack Railway and travel for free, provided they meet the following conditions:

Muzzle: Dogs must wear a muzzle while on board.
Leash: Dogs must remain on a leash at all times.
Small animals: Must travel in baskets or carriers and may not occupy a seat.

The FGC also applies additional rules for dogs classified as potentially dangerous breeds under Spanish Law 10/1999:

They cannot be under the control of anyone under 16 years of age.
They must be on a leash no longer than 2 metres.
The handler must carry the appropriate licence and documentation (Decree 170/2002 and Royal Decree 287/2002).
Only one such dog may be handled per person.

At the Vall de Núria Resort hotel, there are also a limited number of dog‑friendly rooms. Advance reservation is required by calling 972 732 000.

Nuria Resort Homepage

Vall De Núria Racked Railway & Querallbs Accessibility

The Vall de Núria Rack Railway is theoretically accessible for wheelchair users and is one of the easiest ways for people with reduced mobility to reach the high Pyrenees. However, accessibility can vary depending on the season, train model and staffing, so I strongly recommend phoning ahead or sending an email to confirm the exact assistance available on the day of your visit.

Accessibility contact:
Email: valldenuria@valldenuria.cat Phone: 97 273 20 20

Once in Núria, there are flat paths around the resort and lake suitable for pushchairs and visitors with limited mobility. The area also includes a children’s playground, gentle walking routes and the Sant Gil shrine, all of which can be enjoyed without needing to tackle steep mountain terrain.

Vall De Núria Racked Railway & Queralbs Summary of Prices

Train/Bus Fare Entry Ticket Additional Information Train/Bus Fare Entry Ticket Additional Information Adult € 33.60 FREE Child € 33.60 FREE Child fare applies to 7-14 year olds. Notes To buy tickets online visit https://www.renfe.com/es/es/cercanias/rodalies-catalunya/ofertas-mas-populares/combinado-trenatura

Getting to Vall De Nùria Racked Railway & Queralbs

Address: Estacio de Muntanya, Vall de Nuria, 17534

To reach Vall de Núria, take the Renfe R3 Rodalies train to Ribes de Freser. From here, the Vall de Núria Cremallera is the only way to access the valley unless you hike up from Queralbs. There are no roads into Núria.

Train fares and timetables for the Cremallera can be found on the Vall de Núria website. A combined Renfe + Cremallera ticket, called TreNatura, is available and is considerably cheaper than buying the two tickets separately.

The combined TreNatura return ticket can be purchased from any Renfe Rodalies ticket machine or online. It prints as two separate tickets: one for the Renfe R3 segment and one for the Cremallera. When you arrive at Ribes de Freser, you must exchange the Cremallera ticket at the Vall de Núria ticket office for a barcode ticket that works with the turnstiles.

If you prefer to visualise the train route, check the documents section where I’ve included a downloadable map showing the full R3 line and the Cremallera connection into the Núria valley.

Nuria Racked Railway Homepage Renfe Rodalies Timetable TrenNatura Combined Rail ticket

Documents for Vall de Núria Racked Railway

Map for Vall De Núria Racked Railway & Queralbs

Weather for Vall De Núria Racked Railway & Queralbs

Where to stay overnight in Queralbs or Núria Resort

Hotel Vall de Nuria (Vall de Nuria Resort) is a Hotlel complex offering amenities such as a restaurant, bar, spa (massages, treatments), and free Wi-Fi. The family-friendly property provides ski-in/ski-out access, a kids' club, playground, and various sports like archery, minigolf, and hiking. Rooms feature mountain views, heating, and TVs, with access to the rack railway.
Alberg Núria Xanascat (Vall de Nuria Resort) a Hostal at 2,120 meters offering year-round, high-altitude accommodation with 169-person capacity, featuring direct ski-to-door access, a restaurant, a bar, a shared lounge, and free Wi-Fi. Key amenities include ski storage, a games/recreation room, and disabled access, housed in a renovated mountain building with stone walls and a large outdoor patio. The hostel can be accessed via a mountain path or via a cable car from Vall de Nuria Cremallera station.
Hostal Les Roquetes (Queralbs) is a rustic, family-friendly guesthouse located 200 meters from the Núria mountain railway Queralbs station. Key facilities include a traditional restaurant and bar serving local cuisine, a terrace, free Wi-Fi, and heated rooms with private balconies, flat-screen TVs, and mountain views.
Hotel Rural L'Ortiga Blanca (Queralbs) offers rustic, pet-friendly accommodation 700 meters from the Vall de Núria queralbs cremallera station. Key amenities include a restaurant serving Catalan cuisine, a bar/lounge, free Wi-Fi, heating, a terrace, and family rooms. Rooms feature flat-screen TVs, desks, private bathrooms, and some include kitchens or sitting areas.