Head to the European mountain range less traveled on our new Pyrenees Val d'Aran Runcation. This Runcation is for runners that LOVE the adventure of mountain trails and the beauty they offer, from technical singletrack trails with jaw-dropping views of forests, granite, and waterfalls, to runnable rolling green valleys bursting with wildflowers. We combine our favorite trails and corners of the French and Spanish Pyrenees, combining sections of Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park in the Catalan Pyrenees, views of Aneto, and other gems of the Val d'Aran.  The beauty of the natural landscape pairs nicely with charming villages, including one voted as one of the most beautiful in Spain. On this special Runcation we run point to point each day and stay in comfortable 2/3/4-star hotels throughout the trip as well as one night at a curated mountain huts where you can fall asleep next to an alpine lake, drink local wine, and learn more about the mountain culture in this special region. We like to think this trip is perfect for those mountain runners that aren't afraid to power hike and want to challenge themselves on long back to back days on the technical technical trails that the Pyrenees are renowned for, while also staying in charming towns and having the luxury of sleeping in a nice hotel room (and indulging in a spa or two). 

On this self-guided trail running tour of the Pyrenees, you'll discover uncrowded trails and Occitan/Catalan/French/Spanish culture with runs and views not often found in just one week-long tour of the region. With food so delicious and people so friendly paired with views so beautiful and trails that feel so remarkably wild, you might find yourself scratching your head and wondering, "Where is everyone?" Discover the gems of the Val d'Aran Pyrenees for yourself on our guided and self-guided Pyrenees running vacations. 

Trip Difficulty: Level 3

https://runcation.org/which-trip-is-right-for-me

While this trip gets a level 3 for the amount of elevation gain and technicality of trails, it also includes more comfortable accommodation with private rooms in hotels aligned with some of our other level 2 trips. This retreat adventure is open to ages 15 and up of any pace. Must be able to complete the itinerary for the week, including running the downhills and flats and a mixture of hiking/running on the uphills. Optional 12-week training package available from an experienced running coach to ensure you're trained and ready to go for this adventure of a lifetime! 

Pyrenees Self-Guided Trip Requirements:

Please note, the Pyrenees include technical trails on more wild terrain than other well-marked and well-traveled trails you might find in other parts of Europe. It is not uncommon for sections of the route or sections of trails to be marked by signposts and cairns. You must be able to navigate by gpx tracks and also navigate sections of trails only marked by occasional cairns through mountain terrain. The itinerary for our self-guided Pyrenees trip includes more technical sections of trail than found in our guided Pyrenees itinerary. This itinerary includes steep climbs, rocky terrain, cairns, and sections of hiking if you're not experienced at running technical trails. 

You can also create this self-guided trip as a custom self-guided trip. Add in a rest day, run more or less miles, or choose your style of accommodation from huts to hotels. Get in touch via email at RuncationTravel@gmail.com

Roundtrip transportation starting from Vielha, Spain on Day 1 and ending in Vielha, Spain on Day 7

Trip logistics of route planning, lodging, and transportation reservations

Half board (breakfast and dinner) included for 7 days, 6 nights

Baggage transport from accommodations (all you carry is a hydration pack!) all days 

Communal accommodation in dorms for one night in Pyrenees mountain refugi and double accommodation in private 2/3/4-star hotel rooms for five nights (some with spa access)

Special bonus adventures, including cascade pool swims and thermal hot springs

SPA in Hotel Vielha and entrance in Arties Hot springs

Taxi transfers of the program

A technical route t-shirt

Pre-trip meeting in Vielha to go over maps, pick up trip info, and have an in-country contact during the trip

Trip packet with detailed itinerary including packing lists, weather resources, and how to reach the start by public and private transportation

International airfare

Alcoholic beverages and lunch/snacks during the day

Travel Insurance

Extra expenses due to a change in itinerary or in case of you having to shorten the day or trip as a whole (including personal return trips to the airport/next destination/etc.)

Tourist tax to be paid in cash at accommodations (usually ~1 euro per person)

Passport:

Must have a valid passport valid through 6 months upon date of travel.

Travel Insurance:

Must have travel insurance prior to start of trip. 

Room info:

Summer is high season in the Pyrenees and limited space in the hotels and huts is first come, first served. If you are inclined to participate, book this self-guided trips ASAP as rooms will book up in advance by other vacationers and dates will become sold out. You must contact Runcation Travel about availability before booking.

Fitness/Pacing:

This trip requires participants to be able to run for 7-16 miles on trails at a time in mountainous/high altitude climates with an elevation gain of 2,000-6,000 feet per day. Training for this trip is highly recommended, and you can participate in the 12-week group training program designed specifically for this trip as a package add-on to ensure you're able to tackle the trails and get maximum enjoyment of this running retreat! 

Weather:

Although the weather in late summer is often ideal, weather in the mountains is variable and trail conditions are subject to change on an hourly basis! Route subjective to change based on the safety of conditions and climate of the trail.

Trip Difficulty: Level 3

https://runcation.org/which-trip-is-right-for-me

Mountain Hut Experience:

This trip includes staying in mountain huts/refugi. To learn more about the mountain hut experience, click below:

https://runcation.org/mountain-hut-experience

How to Arrive;

Our trail running tour begins in the charming mountain village of Vielha, Spain in the Val d’Aran. Vielha is one of the main hubs for trail running in the Pyrenees and hosts numerous races, including Val d’Aran UTMB. 

Vielha is reached by car, train, plane, or bus. The closest major international airports are Barcelona, Spain (350km away) and Toulouse, France (166km away). If you’re arriving from the U.S., the cheapest airfare tends to be into Barcelona, Spain with more flights and opportunities for connections from different cities. From Barcelona, it’s easy to rent a car or take an ALSA bus. Timetables and prices are available online. For more details on how to arrive to Vielha, Spain, visit this page.

Baggage Transfer:

Baggage transfer will arrive by ~5pm each day.

Your trip will start in the late afternoon in the charming village of Vielha, Spain in the Val d’ Aran with a pre-trip debriefing in Vielha to go over the logistics and itinerary of the upcoming week and meet your in-country contact! Enjoy an optional shakeout run, unpack, and explore the many cafes, restaurants, shops, and views from town. 

Double accommodation in 4-star hotel with breakfast and dinner included

Spa access included

You'll enjoy a breakfast with an incredible spread of foods and coffees/teas from the region before a short 20-minute private transfer to the start of your trail. For your first day on the trail you'll head straight into some of the best wilderness in the area, starting a climb up the famous Montardo mountain summit before descending into a hidden basin of lakes. Our final destination is the one of the largest lakes of the group before descending down from the mountains to your comfortable boutique hotel in a small mountain village. 

Private transfer to/from trailhead included and baggage transfer included

Double accommodation in 2-star hotel with half board (breakfast and dinner) included

Roughly 8 miles/+3,600 feet ascent/-3,200 feet descent**

**Please note, exact mileage and ascent/descent info each day subject to change, but this is a good guideline**

After fueling up at your hotel, you'll start a longer and even more spectacular day on the trails. After another private transfer, today you have the unique opportunity to tour the Circ de Colomers and you'll pass by the Sant Mauricio Viewpoint, Ratera Lakes and Colomers Lakes. As you descend from the alpine you'll enter a lush drainage with a few miles to go before reaching your remote mountain hotel at the base of the mountains. At a total of 12 hilly miles, today will be one of your longest days on more technical trails, but you'll still arrive with plenty of time to take advantage of your charming hotel. Your day will finish with a private transfer to your next hotel in town.

Double accommodation at a boutique 4-star hotel with half board (breakfast and dinner) included

Baggage transport included

Roughly 12.5 miles/+3,660 feet ascent/-3,122 feet descent. 

After breakfast at the hotel, you'll enjoy a change of pace and scenery on today's route. You'll continue your descent from the mountains to tour some of the most beautiful villages in Spain (one even voted as so)! You'll give your legs a break from technical mountain climbs and trails to enjoy a mainly downhill day with a moderate grade downhill through rolling green valleys. After a stop in Bagergue for a snack and tour, you'll continue to enjoy a trail alongside the Arriu Garona river running all the way to your destination of Vielha. You'll enjoy another night in a comfortable hotel in the charming town of Vielha with spa access included. 

Double accommodation in 4-star hotel in town with half board (breakfast and dinner) included

Spa access included

Baggage transfer included

Roughly 12 miles/+1,800 feet ascent/-3,000 feet descent

After enjoying a delicious breakfast at your hotel, you'll leave the village at an altitude of 3,000 feet behind to head back up into the mountains. Today will be one of your bigger climbing days as you continue your point-to-point run from the town up into the mountains. Part of your course today overlaps with the famous vertical kilometer from Vielha as well as UTMB's Val d'Aran race. After making your way up steep mountain climbs punctuated with runnable singletrack, you'll enjoy ridge running for several miles of views before dropping into the valley of our mountain hut. You have the option of extending on a few minutes further down the trail to enjoy an idyllic spot for a dip or snack alongside cascades of blue pools of water. 

You'll be reunited with our larger luggage at the refugi, so all you need to carry today is your normal running pack. With a terrace that invites you to sip a a coffee or beer and enjoy the view of craggy mountains covered by green hillsides, you'll wish you could stay for just more than one evening. 

Shared dormitory in mountain refugi with half board (breakfast and dinner) included

Baggage transfer included

Roughly 11.2 miles/+4,200 feet ascent/-2,500 feet descent

You'll enjoy a hearty breakfast before your longest day of the trip. On this gran finale run, you'll put together all the skills you've learned during the week, from technical trail running to power hiking mountain passes to flowy ridge running. You start with a big climb up to a pass before some of the most spectacular ridge running in the area. You'll have views from the Spanish to French pyrenees as you cross over temporarily into France with wildflowers and green grassy hillsides. After rolling terrain you'll make your final descent of the trip down into the town of Bossost for your final evening to enjoy and celebrate your point-to-point adventure in the Pyrenees!

Double accommodation in private rooms in 2-star hotel in town with half board (breakfast and dinner) included

Baggage transfer included

Roughly 12.5 miles/+3,900 feet ascent/-5,900 feet descent

For your final morning, you'll enjoy an early breakfast and coffee at your charming hotel before departing the village for private transfer to Vielha. You'll reach Vielha by mid-morning, where you'll say goodbye with tons of new memories and photos from an epic week in the Pyrenees. 

Private transfer from our hotel in town to Vielha. You will arrive to Vielha by mid-morning, and you are free to make travel plans after that.