The Vall de Núria Catalan ski and mountain resort, with a unique landscape and true natural wealth, is located in the Eastern Pyrenees, in the municipal district of Queralbs. Dominating one of the highest points in the Ribes Valley (Vall de Ribes), it is surrounded by peaks of almost 3,000 meters from which flow a multitude of water sources and torrents.
You’ll enjoy this spectacular mountain landscape with a unique transport: the rack railway. The track has a route of 12.5 km and takes you up an incline of over 1,000 meters.
Managed by the Catalan Railways Tourism and Mountain Division, it has always kept watch over the upkeep of this rich natural heritage, implementing and applying an environmental management system in all the activities carried out. All in accordance with the requirements contained in the ISO 14001 standard. At the same time, the ski resort has been awarded a Q rating for quality, which is awarded by the Institute for Tourism Quality.
Discover an unparalleled setting where the waters of the Núria River can only run its course thanks to the deep narrow gorges that have been cut through this hard rock, until joining with the valley of the Freser, a river which flows into the Ter at Ripoll.
History: The geographic situation has determined the history of Núria. The pastures of the valley were the subject of a transaction between counts and monasteries; a fact that probably explains the origin of the sanctuary.
Subsequently, the Treaty of the Pyrenees transformed Núria into a border and placed it in the military spotlight.
At the beginning of the 20th century Núria knows the start of ski mountaineering and winter sports in Catalonia.
It was also the venue chosen by the Republican Government of Catalonia to draft the “Statute of 1932” project, which is why it is called “the Statute of Núria”. The image of the Virgin of Núria suffered from exile, from 1936 to 1942, due to the Civil War and, later, remained for a while (1967-1972) in hands of Catalan patriots.
The legendary origin of Núria: Núria’s traditions are filled with legends, but undoubtedly, its hallmark story is that of the discovery of the Virgin Mary. According to the legend, St. Gil, born in Athens, appointed bishop of Nimes, sculpted the image while living a hermit life in the valley between the years 700 and 703. With the sound of a bell he used to call the pastors, he evangelized them in front of a cross which he had sculpted himself, and also gave them food, that he cooked in a pot.
Thus bell, cross and pot will become symbols of Nuria. Preaching was often accompanied by persecution and when it started, he felt forced to leave the valley and left the Virgin hidden in a small cave. In 1072, by a divine inspiration, a man named Amadeu came from Dalmatia in search of Mary’s relics. Pastors who knew the tradition of Saint Gil helped him to erect a modest chapel (origin of the Sanctuary). When Amadeu left, the shepherds rediscovered the image that later was impossible to bring to Queralbs in a procession, “because it wanted to stay at Núria.”
Núria’s rack railway
1919 – The trans-Pyrenean railway of the Barcelona-Puigcerdà line arrives at Ribes de Freser.
1928 – Construction work begins on the rack train.
1930 – On December 30, the first locomotive arrives in Núria.
1931- On March 22, the line is inaugurated.
How to get to Vall de Nuria
Access by road: the resorts of Cremallera de Ribes and Queralbs are accessible only by road train (RENFE). You can not reach Vall de Núria by car.
Parking facilities are available to customers in Ribes Enllaç, Ribes-Vila and Queralbs.
SKI TRAIN: Adult ski train fare: 36,60 €, child ski fare: 30,60 €
Included: Round trip ticket to Barcelona – Vall de Nuria and 1 day skipass. Insurance is not included.
Departure from the main stations of Rodalies – Line R3 (L’Hospitalet – Puigcerdà).
Information on 900 410 041
SKI BUS: ski bus fares. Departure Saturday and Sunday. Adult: € 29.00; child: 22,00 €.
Included: Round trip bus ticket and Vall de Núria rack train, adult 1 day skipass and insurance.
Information on 972 747 181
| Tarifs | Roundway | One way | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Núria / Ribes | Núria / Queralbs | Núria / Ribes | Núria / Queralbs | |
| Kids 0-3 years | free | free | free | free |
| Kids 4-6 years | 3,00 € | 3,00 € | 3,00 € | 3,00 € |
| Junior 7-14 years | 15,50 € | 13,80 € | 9,60 € | 9,60 € |
| Junior 15-64 years | 25,50 € | 23,00 € | 16,00 € | 16,00 € |
| Elderly +65 years | 21,50 € | 19,50 € | 13,60 € | 13,60 € |
| Students | 23,00 € | 20,50 € | 14,50 € | 14,50 € |
SKI TRAIN
| Ski Train Adult | Ski Train Junior |
| 36,60 € | 30,60 € |
Includs: return train tickets from Barcelona to Ribes de Freser and Train Racket to Nuria (a / t) + ski pass valid for one day. Accident insurance is not included.
Departure from the main stations of the Rodalies R3 Barcelona line (L’Hospitalet – Puigcerdà).
Technical characteristics
Ski slopes: 7.6 km
Artificially snow-covered slopes: 6.6 km
Cannons: 88
Maximum height: 2,252 m
Minimum height: 1,964 m
5 lifts
Gondolas: 1
Ski lifts: 4,560 skiers / hour
11 ski slopes:
Green slopes: 3
Blues tracks: 3
Red slopes: 3
Black slopes: 2
Special zones
Sleds: 3
Snowshoe trails / cross-country mountain skiing: 3 circuits
Boardercross: 1
Playground: 1
