I was invited to go snowshoeing close to Barcelona in La Cerdanya, and I jumped at the chance to do it.
I have always wanted to try this winter sport but did not have the opportunity while in Canada. Before I moved to Barcelona, I was not fully aware that the region has more attractions than sun and beaches. You can also enjoy winter and snow activities! The Pyrenees are only a few hours drive from the city.
Heading to La Cerdanya for some snowshoeing close to Barcelona
On the Spanish side of the Pyrenees, La Cerdanya is a section of the Eastern Pyrenees. Our group arrived by car and traveled via a toll road. It has not been cheap but had the advantage of being quick.
I am not sure how much the entire trip cost. The four of us shared the cost in different ways. I spent around 20 euros of toll fees on the way back. Taking the motorway also allowed us to do the excursion in one day so it was fine.
We met our private guide in the car park in Lles de Cerdanya. We have booked a private circuit with him paying 35 euros each and 10 euros for the snowshoes and poles. We chose a route for beginners. Although I discovered later on that it was a lot of efforts to walk in the snow. Aie aie.
Getting ready for our snowshoe excursion!
It is important to wear appropriate clothing, which includes thermal base layers for the top and the bottom, a mid-layer base and a snow jacket as well as waterproof pants, mountain socks and decent snowboots. You will also require gloves.
I made the mistake of wearing too many layers. I was overheated with all the physical effort and after the first 10 minutes, I had to strip down to my thermal top. The jacket is also very important to protect from the wind and the cold during the picnic and on the way down.
For the sun and for all of the white around me, I had sunglasses and suncream! I also kept energy bars, dried and fresh fruit, sandwiches and water in my backpack. These are the basics. The company’s website below provides more information on preparing the trip.
The route: black pine forest, frozen lake and picnic in the snow
We crossed the black pine forest of Lles. Our guide was knowledgeable and passionate about the local fauna and flora. We received detail explanations on the local history, the trees, and the animals of the forest.
We learnt about these animals’ habits and how to identify their prints in the snow. Then we headed to Lake Orri. That was tough. The terrain was uneven and we climbed for a while but made it. The lake was hidden and frozen but beautiful.
Without a guide we would not have probably been able to spot it. We took some pictures, talked and rested. One advice, do not go on the lake if you are not sure how frozen it is, to avoid bad surprises.
We then proceeded to the Pradell’s refuge. The scenery along the route was even more stunning. I call it a “magical white snow landscape”. The quality of the snow also varied in different parts of the path. It was fun trying to walk on these diverse types of snow.
We hiked to the top of the hill, near the refuge for a better view. It was challenging for me to climb but it was also gratifying in the end. We had our picnic at the top and it was with a great sense of satisfaction and achievement that I bit into my sandwich. I deserved it. This was my first picnic in the snow. That was awesome (and cold brrr)!
Is a guide really necessary for snowshoeing close to Barcelona?
I have seen people snowshoeing on their own in Lles. It is possible to go on excursions without a guide. In this ski resort, there were a lot of people around as well as a lot of pathways and it looked quite safe. You just need a good map and a GPS. However, snow activities are always at one’s own risk!!
Is it then necessary to hire a guide for your trip? Yes. During our expedition, the guide educated us about the dos and don’ts of snowshoeing in addition to introducing us to the local fauna and flora.
What I take away from it is that walking backwards with your snowshoes is not a good idea because you snowshoe will dig into the snow, try not to fall, it is hard to get back on your feet, and definitely avoid wild boars in the forest because it is not that easy to run with those snowshoes. And last but not least, our guide kept us alive. A bit dramatic perhaps but that day there was a risk of avalanche and our guide expertedly diverted us from it.