Aran Experience

Aran Experience presents itself as the valley's booking hub: from its office in Vielha, run by the agency Naut Viajes, it sells excursions with a mountain guide, horse rides, sledges, paragliding and visits by companies in the valley. It is an agency, not the guiding company: in its listings it says what each outing includes, but not always who leads it.

The guided excursions

In summer and autumn it schedules walking outings: the Circ de Colomèrs, the Baciver lakes, the Salenques beech wood or Montcorbison, from €55 per person, and peaks such as Montardo or Tuc de Mauberme, from €75. They include a qualified guide, an explanation of the landscape and civil liability insurance; the national park taxi, when needed, is paid separately.

How to book

Online, on 973 64 00 87 or at [email protected]. They answer in Spanish, Catalan, French and English depending on availability. Group outings need a minimum of four people.

The Colomèrs trek

This is the outing we reviewed with them. You meet at the car park on the Ribera de Aiguamòg, opposite the Hotel Balneario Banhs de Tredòs, and the park taxi, at €7 per person each way, takes the group up to the Montanheta stop. The loop round the lakes of the Circ de Colomèrs, passing the refuge, is about 8 km with 360 metres of ascent, about five hours. It is for over-10s used to walking: easy technically and demanding physically. It costs from €55 per person.

Before booking

Ask who leads the outing and in which language: the listing leaves it to availability. Bring boots, layers, a waterproof, food and water for the whole day; neither the taxi nor the meal is in the price.