Carles de Castellarnau: the route connecting Vall Ferrera with Tarragona

This itinerary offers a double hiking getaway between the GR 11 and the GR 92 to discover the historical path of iron from Pallars Sobirà to the coast of Tarragona.

We often think of the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean coast as two disconnected worlds. However, for hiking enthusiasts who hike the GR 11 (Pirenaic Trail) On its way to Cap de Creus, the Catalan territory offers a fascinating network of roads that connect the north and the south. 

The story of the Castellarnau saga It is the perfect reflection of this union: a 18th-century family that turned the iron mining in the Pallars Sobirà into a commercial empire based in Tarragona.

Today, that legacy is reborn in an attractive hiking and cultural proposal: the Castellarnau Route, A route that invites you to connect the high mountain landscapes with the coastal paths of the Mediterranean.

The Vall Ferrera and the heart of the Pyrenean Way

Embark on the GR11, the TransPyrenean route of more than 800 km that will challenge your limits and make you live a great adventure. For any mountaineer undertaking the great journey, the Vall Ferrera is a mythical destination. A nodal point of the Stages 30 to 31 of the GR 11, This territory, protected by emblematic peaks such as Pica d’Estats, stands out not only for its scenic value, but also for its profound ethnographic footprint linked to the extraction of the mineral.

In the 18th century, Carles de Castellarnau and de Castellarnau, Ramonet, leader of traditional metallurgy in the valley, not only controlled the blacksmiths in the villages through which this stretch of the Pyrenean Way runs —such as Alins, Àreu or Ainet—, but also managed the use of the communal forests for the extraction of charcoal, a pillar of the famous Catalan sausage.

Today, exploring this section of the Pyrenees allows you to discover historical trails that wind through centuries-old forests, mining relics, and heritage sites such as the Coix House in Alins or the Espai de la Farga.

From the Pyrenees to the GR 92 and the Port of Tarragona

The Castellarnau business vision led them to control the entire metal value chain, following the transport routes to the Mediterranean ports. After his marriage to Maria Magrinyà i Porta in 1748, Ramonet settled in Tarragona, turning the city into the center of reception and marketing of iron.

The natural counterpoint to the peaks of Pallars can be found in the arrival at the Tarraconense coast, where the route follows a gentle curve. GR 92 runs through the Marquesa Forest, one of the best preserved coastal areas in Catalonia. This protected area of white pine trees, cliffs and pristine coves such as Cala Jovera connects coastal nature with the historical heritage of the Part Alta of Tarragona, where the imposing Casa Castellarnau.

An experience of sea and mountain with TGNA Tarragona Apartaments

This route is designed as a double experience ideal for planning a combined trip between the Pyrenean crossing and the coastal hiking routes of the Mediterranean.

To facilitate the journey for travelers, from TGNA Tarragona Apartments They have prepared practical resources that include geolocated guides and the plan and Route of Carles of Castellarnau accessible in digital format to follow the key points of the itinerary.

In addition, for those who wish to complete the experience by discovering the Roman and medieval charms of Tarragona after their route through the Pyrenees and the Marqués Forest, staying in TGNA Tarragona Apartments It offers the ideal base in the historic center: fully equipped apartments to explore the city on foot and enjoy an unforgettable journey between the high mountains and the sea.