PLACES OF NOVEL OF THE
ÀSSUA VALLEY FROM SORT
A comprehensive, in-depth, and fascinating hike that takes us deep into the Àssua Valley, following the ancient bridleways that connected the small towns of Batlliu de Sort and the Àssua Valley with the rest of Catalonia. We begin the route in Sort, the capital of Pallars Sobirà, and climb to the village of Olp. We then skirt the mountain through a wooded area to the town of Altron, descend to the old Mola de Sall, where we cross the Pamano River, and climb to the picturesque Sorre and Llessuí mountains. We continue to Saurí, where we cross the Pamano River again. A few loops through the shady mountain range take us to the Trases Pass, from where we begin a long descent to the Bordes de Olp, the panoramic village of Pujalt, and finally to Sort.
If you want to discover the essence of Pallars Sobirà, its agricultural and livestock past, and the architecture of its small mountain villages, you can't miss this route. Despite being a physically demanding hike—due to the distance and the elevation gain—it offers several attractions: you'll enjoy fantastic views of Monteixo, Montsent de Pallars, and Torreta de l'Orri, you'll walk along beautiful historic paths—some of them recently restored—and you'll discover what life was like in these villages not so long ago.
THE BEST OF THE ROUTE
• The magic of the Àssua Valley!
• The views of Monteixo, Montsent de Pallars and Torreta de l'Orri.
• Cool off at the fountains of Batlliu de Sort and the Àssua Valley.
• Discover the impressive network of roads that connected these Pallars villages before the existence of cars.
• Observe fallow deer in the wild.
If you want to discover the essence of Pallars Sobirà, its agricultural and livestock past, and the architecture of its small mountain villages, you can't miss this route. Despite being a physically demanding hike—due to the distance and the elevation gain—it offers several attractions: you'll enjoy fantastic views of Monteixo, Montsent de Pallars, and Torreta de l'Orri, you'll walk along beautiful historic paths—some of them recently restored—and you'll discover what life was like in these villages not so long ago.
THE BEST OF THE ROUTE
• The magic of the Àssua Valley!
• The views of Monteixo, Montsent de Pallars and Torreta de l'Orri.
• Cool off at the fountains of Batlliu de Sort and the Àssua Valley.
• Discover the impressive network of roads that connected these Pallars villages before the existence of cars.
• Observe fallow deer in the wild.
Difficulty: Remarkable
Departure/arrival: Hotel Les Brases sort-sort
Total time: 7:50h
Minimum altitude: 692
Maximum altitude: 1452 m
Cumulative elevation gain: 1265 m
Total distance: 30km
Nearest town: Sort
• Duration: Full day.
• Total effective time (without stops): 7:50h in total: 3:45h from the starting point to Llessuí and 4:05h to return from this town to Sort passing through the Trases pass, the Bordes de Olp and Pujalt.
• Cumulative elevation gain: 1,265m
• Difficulty: Fair. The route presents no technical difficulties, but the physical demands of the route are considerable: the distance and the elevation gain are considerable. Caution is required on the stretch from the Bodoluixos ravine to the Trases pass, where the path is not clearly defined (we only found some trail traces, but they quickly disappeared). This route is not suitable for those inexperienced in the mountains.
• Season: All year round. In winter, you have to get up early to take advantage of the daylight hours.
• Material: Since there are many possibilities of seeing large and small birds of prey (griffon vulture, golden eagle, black and red kite, peregrine falcon...) and mammals such as fallow deer or roe deer, it is advisable to carry binoculars in your backpack.
• Cartography: High Pyrenees Natural Park. 1:50,000. Alpina Publishing.
• Notes: In winter, the shady areas are often frozen almost all day long. Along the route, we pass a large number of detours and frequently change paths. We also have to overcome a section with no defined path. For these reasons, it's important to pay close attention to your orientation and know how to interpret a map and/or GPS device.
• How to get there by car:
The starting point for the excursion is the Hotel Restaurant Las Brases in Sort. We arrive in Sort via the C-13 highway. Hotel Les Brases is located on the C-13 highway, just off the northern exit from the town. There is plenty of free parking in front of the hotel.
• Total effective time (without stops): 7:50h in total: 3:45h from the starting point to Llessuí and 4:05h to return from this town to Sort passing through the Trases pass, the Bordes de Olp and Pujalt.
• Cumulative elevation gain: 1,265m
• Difficulty: Fair. The route presents no technical difficulties, but the physical demands of the route are considerable: the distance and the elevation gain are considerable. Caution is required on the stretch from the Bodoluixos ravine to the Trases pass, where the path is not clearly defined (we only found some trail traces, but they quickly disappeared). This route is not suitable for those inexperienced in the mountains.
• Season: All year round. In winter, you have to get up early to take advantage of the daylight hours.
• Material: Since there are many possibilities of seeing large and small birds of prey (griffon vulture, golden eagle, black and red kite, peregrine falcon...) and mammals such as fallow deer or roe deer, it is advisable to carry binoculars in your backpack.
• Cartography: High Pyrenees Natural Park. 1:50,000. Alpina Publishing.
• Notes: In winter, the shady areas are often frozen almost all day long. Along the route, we pass a large number of detours and frequently change paths. We also have to overcome a section with no defined path. For these reasons, it's important to pay close attention to your orientation and know how to interpret a map and/or GPS device.
• How to get there by car:
The starting point for the excursion is the Hotel Restaurant Las Brases in Sort. We arrive in Sort via the C-13 highway. Hotel Les Brases is located on the C-13 highway, just off the northern exit from the town. There is plenty of free parking in front of the hotel.