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A walk of contrasts in Mijaran

ruta-contrastes-por-mijaran
  • Route: Vielha/Vilac/Gausac/Vielha
  • Difficulty: baja
  • Type: Senderismo
  • Duration: 1h 45 min

Description:

This itinerary offers a varied route to get to know Vielha and its surroundings passing through Vilac and Gausac. You will be able to observe great contrasts such as the industrial area of Vielha at the border of the forest, the number of churches in Mijaran or the harmonious fusion of the Romanesque and Gothic styles in the churches of Vilac and Gausac. A casual stroll through steep streets of these villages is a must in order to discover the hidden treasures each village offers. The walker will enjoy one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the valley and the peace of the trails lathered by the sounds of the Garona River nearby, but also far from the traffic and busyness of the modern life.

Detailed Route:

Starting point is the town hall of Vielha. Cross the Nere River bridge and turn right down the Passeig dera Libertat street, cross the Garona River and the road. Then go up the road (looks like a ramp from the side) named Carrèr de Sascumes following the GR marks. Once passed the last houses you will enter the forest on a narrow trail which passes by an electric tower. Continue along until the trail widens and reaches and traverses along the village of Santa Gemma. After passing several barns you will reach a crossing with an asphalted road – go left (1). Pass by the Salient ravine (2) and you will reach the village of Vilac on the Sant Blas street until reaching the Saint Felix church. Then go down the Carrer dera Costa street until reaching the local access road, crossing over it on two occasions until reaching the roundabout. Cross the N-230 highway and walk 200 meters in the direction of Bossost (to the right) and then cross the Garona River on the Beussa Bridge where you will turn to the left on the GR in the direction of Vielha (3). You will find yourself on a well prepared trail with logs in the middle of a black poplar and hazelnut tree forest next to the Garona River. Follow this trail until it widens to the left and leads you to the Gausac road. Go up this road and later up the steep road of steps which will end up at the opposite side of the Saint Martin church. You will hopefully have some time to visit the village of Gausac. On the return go down the same road until reaching the principal roundabout of Vielha and take the Castiero Avenue until reaching the starting point.

Desnivel:

Curiosidades:

Before crossing the Salient River you can observe an old flour mill. The Vilac church square was the patio of the armoury of an old fortress with the peculiarity that it was the only patio of this type with a triangular form. At the entrance of the Saint Martin church of Gausac you can discover a variety of figures and one of which is Christ along with re-conditioned Romanesque models. The entrance is from the Gothic period. In the interior of the church you will see a polychromatic wooden hood (unique in the valley) which covers the Romanesque baptismal font. Long ago, all of the baptismal fonts had some form of hood or cover to protect the water as it remained in the font throughout the year.

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