Lleida Province Guide
| fast facts |
Population:
396.034 (2005)
Provincial Capital:
Lleida
Airports:
None
Area:
12173km²
Official languages:
Catalan & Spanish (Castellano)
Government:
Generalitat de Catalunya - an autonomous community within Spain
Comarcas (Regions):
l’Alt Urgell, l’Alta Ribagorça, les Garrigues, la Noguera, el Pallars Jussà, el Pallars Sobirà, el Pla d'Urgell, la Segarra, el Segrià, el Solsonès, l’Urgell, la Val d'Aran
Orientation:
Landlocked Lleida province shares its northern border with France and Andorra, south is Tarragona, to the east Barcelona and west the province of Navarra??
Hotels in Lleida province
General Overview
Possibly one word that sums up Lleida province is undiscovered. Maybe because it lacks an international airport or maybe because it lacks what most people associate holidays in Catalunya with - a Costa. But ignore it at your peril because, especially if you’re keen on outdoors pursuits and nature, it’s a gem.
Split into two main areas, the lowlands or ‘les terres’ of Lleida consisting of the six comarcas to the south of the province and the highlands of the six Pyrenees comarcas to the north.
Lleida province highlights
Aigϋestortes and Estany de Sant Maurici National Park
This is the only national park in Spain, and is a fantastic area of mountains and wilderness. Aigϋestortes means 'twisted waters' and the park has over 200 lakes, waterfalls, streams and water meadows. Beyond the gentler slopes covered in beech, oak, and pine forests are the rugged granite peaks of the higher mountains rising to a height of over over 3000m. In the park you'll find flowers in abundance especially in spring and wildlife including golden eagles, vultures, wild boar and isards (chamois), not to mention the elusive 'desman'. The park is popular with walkers, from low-level trekking to 'bagging' the higher snow-covered summits and there are numerous tracks and trails including the long-distance GR11 footpath which skirts the northern side of the national park. Highlights include the Sant Nicholau valley, Estany de Sant Maurici with its backdrop of the Els Encatats, and the Circ de Saboredo. South-west of the park is the World Heritage Site, Vall de Boí, where many villages - Cóll, Barruera, Durro, Erill La Vall, Boí and Taϋll - have fine examples of Romanesque architecture.
La Seu d'Urgell
La Seu d´Urgell is situated on the Riu Segre and is named after its beautiful Romanesque cathedral. The town retains a medieval centre with narrow cobbled streets, arcades, and the old gateway to Andorra. It is an important centre for local produce and at the bustling Tuesday and Saturday markets you'll find many types of the local speciality cheeses. In the autumn the town hosts the Sant Ermengol Trade Fair which brings together cheese makers from the surrounding area selling their produce, and also a Nordic Skiing Fair. For outdoor types La Seu d'Urgell has much to offer - there are many local hiking trails starting from the town itself, and four Nordic (cross-country) ski centres. Close by is the the Cadí-Moixeró Nature Park, the largest protected area in Catalunya, and the Parc Olímpic del Segre, the setting for 1992 Olympic canoeing events. Here you can have a go at many water sports including rafting down the Olympic white water courses.
Skiing at Boi Taull resort
Close to the village of Taϋll and in the Vall de Boí is the Boí Taüll ski resort. It was opened in 1990 as a purpose-built resort and has the highest pistes in the Catalan Pyrenees. There are 49 slopes (9 green, 4 blue, 28 red, 8 black) covering some 43km, as well as popular off-piste descents. There are ski schools, a snow park, and other activities available including snow-mobiling and snow-shoe walks. It's also a popular area in the summer too for hiking, mountain biking and kayaking.
Vall d'Ager
The sky's quite literally the limit in the Val d'Ager as its a paragliding and climbing paradise. Over the last 20 yeas the area has become one of the most well-known free-flying destinations in Europe and many championships are held here. There are several schools where you can have a go at hang-gliding and paragliding or try flying a microlight. The nearby Montsec mountain range provides excellent opportunities for climbing and highlights include the La Pica d'Estats, Sant Llorenç de Montgai, and the gorges of El Congost de Terradets and Vilanova de Meià.
Cities and Towns of interest
Natural parks
Parc Natural del Cadí-Moixeró, Parc Natural de l'Alt Pirineu, Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici
Useful Links
Lleida tourism
