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 dirt roads through 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 hut where you can fall asleep next to an alpine lake, drink local wine, and learn more about the mountain culture in this special region. While the Pyrenees are notorious for their technical mountain trails, we like to think this trip is perfect for trail runners that want to dip their toes into Pyrenees running and explore the more non-technical zones of the Pyrenees while exploring a different valley each day and staying in hotels with charming towns (and indulging in a spa or two).
On this guided trail running tour of the Pyrenees, you'll discover uncrowded trails and French/Spanish/Catalan/Occitan 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 2-3 (click to learn more about trip difficulty levels). Please note: while this trip gets a level 3 for the mileage and includes some technical trails, the moderate elevation gain in the mountains, comfortable hotel accommodation, and less technical routes possible in the area (but it's still the Pyrenees!) also gives it a level 2-3 rating.
This trip requires a minimum of 8 to run. Please do not purchase flights until confirming with retreat organizer.
We also offer another version of this trip self-guided with the option to customize more/less miles or different styles of accommodation! Learn more below or visit this page.
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
A 8:1 ratio of guide to participants
Half board (breakfast and dinner) included for 7 days, 6 nights
Baggage transport from accommodations (all you carry is a hydration pack!) all days
Knowledgable expert local trail running mountain guide along the entire route
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
Trip packet with detailed itinerary including packing lists, weather resources, and how to reach the start by public and private transportation
Access to a personal trip WhatsApp group and community
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.
Fitness/Pacing:
While there are guides to accommodate a variety of paces for attending runners, this trip requires participants to be able to run for 8-14 miles on trails at a time in mountainous/high altitude climates with an elevation gain of 1,000-5,000 feet per day. It is suggested that you be able to maintain an average pace of 15-20 minutes/mile on trails with elevation gain/loss and must be prepared to run/jog the downhill and flat sections. 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 2-3
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.
Our trip will start in the late afternoon/evening in the charming village of Vielha, Spain in the Val d’ Aran with a meet-and-greet and orientation meeting to meet the guides and go over the logistics and itinerary of the upcoming week! 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
We'll enjoy a breakfast with an incredible spread of foods and coffees/teas from the region before a transfer to the start of our trail. We’ll begin a riverside climb up the Vall de Ruda with a running path before starting a climb into a more granite-laden region of the Pyrenees as we enter the Colomers region by way of the scenic Coll de Sendrosa. We’ll have the option of staying in this beautiful area more by taking a coffee or cake at a mountain hut before starting our descent. We’ll then descend and take transfer to our hotel to cut out the portion of the route that becomes slower and more technical.
Private transfer to/from trailhead included and baggage transfer included
Double accommodation in hotel with half board (breakfast and dinner) included
Roughly 8.5 miles/+3,100 feet ascent/-2,300 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 our hotel, we'll start a longer and even more spectacular day on the trails. Today we’ll take a transfer to the Vall de Bonabé for the start of our route, which is surrounded by diverse flora and fauna found in the Parc Natural de l'Alt Pirineu. The theme of the day is all about moderate climbs and rolling hills, and our route delivers all this and more as we explore The Sanctuary of Montgarri (dating back to 1117-1119) running alongside the Noguera Pallaresa river on the southern side of the mountains known as ‘Es Bandolèrs’. We’ll finish our scenic run with a transfer to our comfortable hotel for the evening.
Double accommodation at a boutique 4-star hotel with half board (breakfast and dinner) included
Baggage transport included
Private transfer to/from trailhead included
Roughly 12-13/+2,500 feet ascent/-1,500 feet descent
After breakfast at the hotel, we'll enjoy a change of pace and scenery on today's route. We'll continue our descent from the mountains to tour some of the most beautiful villages in Spain (one even voted as so)! We'll give our 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, we'll continue to enjoy a trail alongside the Arriu Garona river running all the way to our destination of Vielha. We'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 our hotel, we'll leave the village at an altitude of 3,000 feet behind to head back up into the mountains. Today will be one of our bigger climbing days as we continue our point-to-point run from the town up into the mountains. Part of our course today overlaps with the famous vertical kilometer from Vielha as well as UTMB's Val d'Aran race. After making our way up steep mountain climbs punctuated with runnable singletrack, we'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.
We'll be reunited with our larger luggage at the refugi, so all we need to carry today is our 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
We'll enjoy a hearty breakfast before our longest day of the trip. On this gran finale run, we'll put together all the skills we've learned during the week, from technical trail running to power hiking mountain passes to flowy ridge running. We start with a big climb up to a pass before some of the most spectacular ridge running in the area. We'll have views from the Spanish to French pyrenees as we cross over temporarily into France with wildflowers and green grassy hillsides. After rolling terrain we'll make our final descent of the trip down into the town of Bossost for our final evening to enjoy and celebrate our 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 our final morning, we'll enjoy an early breakfast and coffee at our charming hotel before departing the village for private transfer to Vielha. We'll reach Vielha by mid-morning, where we'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
Please do not book any flights until later in the day. We will arrive to Vielha by mid-morning, and you are free to make travel plans after that.
