Traditional architecture in the Pyrenees

Getting there:
Between the highs peaks in Cerdanya and Cap de Creus Natural Park there are many places of interest: the spectacular valleys of Camprodon, Ribes, Núria and Cerdanya; Villages where the architecture and activities traditionally linked to the Pyrenean economy are still conserved. On other places we could found a new means of live hood in ski resorts and mountain tourism.

Start:
Leave Figueres and head north along the N-II until de GIP-5107 furnoff to Sant Llorenç de la Muga, a walled village with a Romanesque church and an old bridge. Follow the road on to the end. You will arrive to the municipal district of Albanyà. Drive back to the N-II nd head towards La Jonquera until the GI-502 turnoff to Darnius. Drive on to Maçanet de Cabrenys, former fortified town.
Go back to Figueres and take the N-260 to Besalú, Castellfollit de la Roca and Olot, branching off on the way to visit the villages of Beuda, Oix, Sant Joan les Fonts and Santa Pau. From Olot, take the C-26 and then the C-38 to Sant Pau de Segúries and Camprodon.

Following the route:
From Camprodon we can either go up to Molló and Beget, or else follow the course of the River Ter along the GIV-5264 to Llanars, Vilallonga de Ter and Setcases. Continue on along the same picturesque road to Vallter.
Go back to Camprodon and down to Sant Joan de les Abadesses. Take the picturesque GI-521 through the Sentigosa pass to Vallfogona de Ripollès. Take a leisurely look around the village and its wooded surroundings. Now take the N-260 to Ripoll.
At Ripoll take the N-152 to Campdevànol, from where either go to Gombrèn or else follow the road on to Ribes de Freser. A rack-and-pinion railway runs a regular service up to Núria Valley.Take the GIV-5217 to the picturesque mountain village of Queralbs. The south portal of the 12th –century Romanesque church is one of the best examples of Catalan Romanesque porches. Cars cannot drive beyond this point up to Núria sanctuary, to which access is only by hiking trails and by the rack-and-pinion railway, which also stops in Queralbs.
The rack-on-pinion railway line affords impressive views on its way up to the spectacular Núria Valley. There is a small, family oriented sky resort in the valley. One of the main points of interest is the sanctuary.
Go back again to Ribes de Freser and take the N-152 through the Toses pass to Puigcerdà, capital of Cerdanya. The road goes high up over the charming villages of Planoles, Dòrria and Toses and turnoffs to La Molina and La Masella, major ski resorts in winter and mountain activity centres in summer, before reaching Puigcerdà.

Extended Route:

Urús, Cerdanya.

We now suggest continuing along the N-260 towards Bellver de Cerdanya and la Seu d’Urgell, turning just after Ger. Drive along the GIV-4031 up to Meranges and to Guils- Fontanera cross-country ski resort. At Meranges there is also an interesting Clog Museum.

Observations and recommendations:
There are three recommended secondary routes:
 -Take the GIV-5263 to Bruguera and Ogassa, from where the GIV-5211 brings us back to Sant Joan de les Abadesses.
 -Take the GIV-5262 to Pardines. Nearby there is a Romanesque church of Santa Magdalena de Puigsac.
 -Take the GIV-4011 for 6 km, winding 230 metres up to the village of Campelles. Nearby El Baell hamlet is worth a trip to see the vistas and enjoy the peace and quiet.