Page 177 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Northern Spain

NOR THERN SP AIN REGION B Y REGION  175

CENTRAL AND

EASTERN PYRENEES

The Spanish Pyrenees encompass
parts of two regions: Aragón, with the
highest, wildest terrain, and Catalonia,
where the peaks are more accessible
and better developed for tourism. In the moun tain villages life proceeds at
a slower pace, old traditions are nurtured, and in places such as Broto or Bielsa
colourful carnivals are staged.
Stretching 440 km (273 miles) from the an architectural gem. Huesca and Jaca,
Bay of Biscay on the Atlantic Coast to the whose history goes back nearly 2,000
Cap de Creus on the Mediterranean, the years, are the area’s main towns.
Pyrenean mountain chain forms a natural Well-marked trails run through the
border between France and Spain. In the mountain valleys, frequented by nature-
8th century, these inaccessible lands lovers, who can get a close-up view
provided excellent refuge from the of the deep ravines, the peaks and
Moorish invaders, and the Pyrenean the many indigenous species of
valleys were the birthplace of some plants and animals.
of Spain’s first Christian kingdoms. Later, The Pyrenees are a paradise for winter-
after their rulers had moved south, the sports enthusiasts. Popular places for
people who remained lived for cen turies winter activities include Formigal,
in isolation from the rest of Spain. which offers a variety of ski runs, and
The foothills of the mountains, whose La Molina – the oldest ski resort in the
highest peak is Aneto (3,404 m/11,166 ft Eastern Pyrenees.
above sea level), are crossed by the The principality of Andorra, a tax-free
Aragonese variation of the pilgrimage paradise for shoppers, occupies land in
route to Santiago de Compostela, where the Pyrenees between France and Spain.
some of the most interesting Romanesque Its rural charm matches that of the rest
sites are located. Among them is the of the Pyrenees, and it is also excellent
Monasterio de San Juan de la Peña, for walkers.

Spanish musher Lopez Cobo competes in the Pirena Advance sled-dog race
The Mallos de Riglos rock formation, near Huesca, Aragón

174-175__IntroReg_.indd 175 13/09/16 5:30 pm