Leaving the Val d’Aran … for the day

After a relatively prompt start we headed along the valley to drive over the Port de la Bonaigua pass, which marks the easternmost end of the Val d’Aran and the start of the next county in Catalunya, namely Pallars Sobira. We were heading to Llavorsi, about 1h 15m or 70km from the campsite.

Llavorsi marks the start of what is said to be the best white water and rapids in at least Catalunya if not all of Spain, as well as being on the edges of the 2 national parks in the Catalan Pirineos (Pyrenees).

We were taking a 14km rafting adventure along the Noguera Pallaresa, the same river we walked beside to the Sanctuari de Montgarri. But it’s a bit bigger here, even though in the summer the river is about 1-1.5m shallower than in the spring.

The 12 rapids on this stretch were graded 2-3 (and would be up to 4, with more water).

We were in an inflatable raft with a Belgian family and Jaime, our guide and helmsman.

It was excellent fun and we (just) managed to stay in the boat - save for a couple of points where Simeon and Hannah (and some of the others) took a swim in the river alongside the boat.

The rafting company took some great photos - which I've only been able to download once we had a chance to hook up to some WiFi!

After getting changed and showered at the rafting centre, we continued down the Noguera valley, before taking the road further east toward the Port de Canto pass, and the next county of Alt Urguell.Read more