Vall de Núria in numbers
- Altitude: the valley floor and sanctuary sit at about 1,960 m; the lifts reach about 2,250 m.
- Pistes: about 7 km of mostly green and blue pistes, with a few reds.
- Lifts: about 5, including a short cable car to the Alberg Pic de l'Àliga.
- Access: only by the Cremallera de Núria rack railway: about 12.5 km from Ribes de Freser, around 40 minutes, climbing about 1,000 m.
- Distance from Barcelona: about 2 hours by road to Ribes de Freser or Queralbs, then the train.
Figures change a little from season to season and between sources, so treat them as a guide and check the resort's own snow report before you go.
A valley without a road
Núria is a high mountain valley around a sanctuary and a small lake, reached only by the rack railway that has run since 1931. There is no road and no car park at the top, which gives the valley a calm you will not find at the bigger resorts. In winter it is a small, gentle ski area; in summer it is one of the classic hiking bases of the eastern Pyrenees, with the Puigmal and the Noufonts and Noucreus ridges above it.
Skiing at Núria
The ski area is small and gentle, which makes it a good place for a first day on skis or for children: short runs close to the lifts, the lake and the hotel, and no traffic. Confident skiers will cover it in a morning. There is a ski school and rental at the top station.
Hiking at Núria
From June to October the valley is the start of some of the best walks near Barcelona: an easy loop around the lake and the sanctuary, the walk down the Gorges de Núria to Queralbs, or a long day up to the Puigmal (2,910 m). Our Pyrenees summer hiking day uses Núria as one of its three routes.
Getting there from Barcelona
Drive north on the C-17 through Vic and Ripoll to Ribes de Freser or Queralbs, about two hours, and take the rack railway from there. You can also take the R3 train from Barcelona to Ribes de Freser and change to the rack railway at Ribes-Enllaç, which makes Núria one of the few mountain days you can do completely by train.
Going from Barcelona with us
We do not run a fixed day tour to Vall de Núria, but we can plan it as a custom private trip from Barcelona, as a long day or with a night in the mountains. For a classic day on skis, our closest options are the five resorts we visit every week in winter.
Compare all the resorts side by side on our ski resorts near Barcelona page, or ask us about your dates.