3 autumn hikes in the Val d’Aran: Artiga de Lin, Saut deth Pish and Colomèrs
These autumn hikes in the Val d’Aran take you to three magical spots at this time of year: a valley fed by water from the Aneto glacier, a mighty waterfall surrounded by forest and a group of high mountain lakes straight out of a fairy tale.
Going at another time of year? In our guide to 5 hikes in the Val d’Aran you’ll find more routes with stats and GPS tracks.
- 3 hikes
- GPS tracks
- Easy to moderate
- Pyrenees
- Autumn
- Artiga de Lin and Uelhs deth Joèu: 5 km return, 2 h and +200 m.
- Saut deth Pish: 2.5 km return, 1 h and +100 m. The easiest one.
- Circ de Colomèrs: 8 km return, 3 h 30 and +450 m.
- When to go: from mid-October to early November, when the forests are at their most colourful.
- Where to stay: Vielha for Artiga de Lin and Saut deth Pish; Salardú, Tredòs or Arties for Colomèrs.
- Hikes3
- Distances2.5 to 8 km
- DifficultyEasy to moderate
- Best timeOct – Nov
The best autumn hikes in the Val d’Aran
In autumn, the Val d’Aran bursts into colour: beech, birch and larch trees turn yellow, orange and red, and the rivers run full. That’s why it’s one of the best places in the Pyrenees for hiking at this time of year.
We’ve picked three autumn hikes in the Val d’Aran that are very different from each other. Saut deth Pish is short and perfect with kids; Artiga de Lin is an easy walk through a beautiful valley; and the Circ de Colomèrs is a slightly longer hike up to a group of high mountain lakes.
Artiga de Lin, Saut deth Pish and the Colomèrs lakes, in September.
Map of the autumn hikes in the Val d’Aran
This map shows the start and end of each hike, plus Vielha, the best place to stay. Tap each point to see what it is.
Which autumn hike to choose
| If you want… | Our pick |
|---|---|
| To hike with kidsThe easiest | Saut deth Pish: 1 hour return and a huge waterfall as a reward. |
| An easy walk with postcard views | Artiga de Lin to the Uelhs deth Joèu: open valley, meadows and forest. |
| High mountain lakes | Circ de Colomèrs: the longest, but with stunning lakes. |
| To hike with your dog | All three. At Colomèrs, on a lead, as the trail enters the National Park. |
| Just half a day | Saut deth Pish or the Camin dera Bruisha in Tredòs. |
1. Artiga de Lin and Uelhs deth Joèu
The Uelhs deth Joèu, one of the bridges along the trail and the meadows of Pla de l’Artiga.
Artiga de Lin is one of the most spectacular spots in the Val d’Aran: a wide green valley surrounded by forests and mountains, reached from Es Bòrdes. At the end of the valley are the Uelhs deth Joèu, the “eyes of the Joèu”.
This is where the water from the Aneto glacier resurfaces. It disappears into the Forau d’Aiguallut, on the Aragonese side, and gushes out again on this side of the mountain as a waterfall among the rocks. With the trees in autumn colours, the walk is gorgeous.
- Distance: 5 km return
- Duration: 2 h
- Elevation gain: +200 m
- Difficulty: easy
- Getting there: from Es Bòrdes, follow the Artiga de Lin road to the Pla de l’Artiga car park, next to the mountain hut. The trail to the Uelhs deth Joèu starts there.
- Heads up: in summer (July to early September) car access is usually restricted and you go up on the tourist train from the visitor centre. In autumn you can normally drive up, but check before you go.
- With a dog: yes, we did it with ours.
Here’s our Artiga de Lin and Uelhs deth Joèu track on Wikiloc, so you can follow the route on your phone.
View and download our Artiga de Lin and Uelhs deth Joèu track on Wikiloc →
2. Saut deth Pish
Saut deth Pish: in barely half an hour you’re at the foot of the waterfall.
Saut deth Pish is a mighty waterfall surrounded by forest in the Varradòs valley. It’s the shortest of the three hikes and one of the most rewarding: in barely half an hour you reach the falls.
In autumn, the surrounding forest fills with colour and the river runs strong. It’s ideal for families or to combine with another hike on the same day.
- Distance: 2.5 km return
- Duration: 1 h
- Elevation gain: +100 m
- Difficulty: easy
- Getting there: from Vielha, drive to Arròs (about 10 minutes) and follow the narrow Varradòs valley road to the Saut deth Pish parking area. Drive slowly and only park in the marked spaces.
- With a dog: yes, no problem.
3. Circ de Colomèrs
Forests, boardwalks and the Estany Major de Colomèrs, where we hiked with our dog.
The Circ de Colomèrs is a glacial cirque dotted with high mountain lakes, inside the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park. The hike starts at Banhs de Tredòs, near Salardú, and climbs through the forest to the Estany Major de Colomèrs.
It’s the longest of the three, but the scenery makes every step worth it: dark lakes, granite and peaks all around. In autumn, with the first snow on the summits, it looks like a fairy tale.
- Distance: 8 km return
- Duration: 3 h 30
- Elevation gain: +450 m
- Difficulty: moderate
- Getting there: from Salardú, follow the road to Banhs de Tredòs, where the hike starts. In summer access is restricted: you leave the car at the Aiguamòg car park, about 4 km further down, and walk up or take a taxi. Out of season you can usually drive all the way to Banhs.
- Heads up: from late October it can snow, and in winter the road is closed due to snow. Check the forecast and bring warm clothes.
- With a dog: yes, but on a lead: the trail enters the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park.
Here’s our Circ de Colomèrs lakes track on Wikiloc, so you can follow the route on your phone.
View and download our Circ de Colomèrs lakes track on Wikiloc →
The autumn hikes on Instagram
This is how we experienced these autumn hikes in the Val d’Aran and shared them on Instagram. Save it for your next trip and follow us at @viajeros_curiosones.
See the autumn hikes on Instagram →
Bonus: Camin dera Bruisha, the witches’ forest of Tredòs
If you’re looking for a short walk to round off the day, in Tredòs you’ll find the Camin dera Bruisha, a short trail through the forest dotted with figures and magical corners. In autumn, with the colours of the beech and birch trees, it feels straight out of a fairy tale.
- Nature: a beautiful forest in autumn
- Legends: figures and spots dedicated to the valley’s witches
- Easy: a short walk, ideal with kids
- Combine it: with a visit to the village of Tredòs or the Circ de Colomèrs hike
It’s one of those places that proves you don’t need a big hike to find special corners in the Val d’Aran.
Watch our Camin dera Bruisha reel on Instagram →
- Distance: 2.5 km (return)
- Duration: approx. 1 h
- Elevation gain: 120 m
- Difficulty: easy
With enchanted beech forests, crystal-clear streams and witch legends, it’s a mysterious walk you can enjoy at any time of year, not just in autumn.
Watch another Camin dera Bruisha reel on Instagram →
How to do these autumn hikes in a weekend
The three hikes are less than an hour’s drive from each other, so you can do them all in one weekend. This is how we’d plan it:
- 1Saturday morning: Artiga de Lin2 h · easy
Leave Vielha early for Es Bòrdes and walk to the Uelhs deth Joèu in the morning light.
- 2Saturday afternoon: Saut deth Pish1 h · easy
After lunch, drive up the Varradòs valley to the waterfall. It’s short, so you’ll be done before it gets dark.
- 3Sunday: Circ de Colomèrs3 h 30 · moderate
From Salardú, head to Banhs de Tredòs and hike up to the Estany Major de Colomèrs. It’s the longest hike, so start it with the whole day ahead of you.
- 4Sunday afternoon: Camin dera Bruisha1 h · easy
On the way back, stop in Tredòs for the witches’ forest walk before heading home.
How to get to the Val d’Aran
To do these hikes, a car is essential: public transport doesn’t reach the trailheads. The valley is about 4 hours by car from Barcelona and 6 hours from Madrid. You enter through the Vielha tunnel or, coming from the Pallars, over the Port de la Bonaigua pass, which can already have snow in autumn.
If you’re flying in, the most practical option is to rent a car in Barcelona, Lleida or at Toulouse airport, about 2 hours from the valley. Compare prices on DiscoverCars.
Where to stay for the hikes
Tips for autumn hiking in the Val d’Aran
- Start early: it gets dark early in autumn and weekends are busy.
- Dress in layers: mornings are cold, especially at Colomèrs.
- Wear hiking boots: rain and fallen leaves make the trails slippery.
- Combine hikes: Saut deth Pish is so short you can do it on the same day as Artiga de Lin.
- Respect nature: stay on the trails and take your rubbish with you.
Things to do in the Val d’Aran and the Pyrenees
To round off your trip, here are some Civitatis activities in the Val d’Aran and the Catalan Pyrenees, such as the Romanesque churches of the Boí Valley or snowshoeing. Booking through our links helps us keep the blog going at no extra cost to you.
Plan your trip to the Val d’Aran
- Car rental: essential for getting around the Val d’Aran. Compare prices on DiscoverCars and save up to 70%.
- Tours and activities: book things to do in the Val d’Aran and the Pyrenees with Civitatis, with free cancellation on most activities.
- To film the hike: we shoot all our mountain videos with Insta360. Here’s our gear and discounts.
- Save when you book: with iGraal you get cashback on hotels and rentals, plus a welcome bonus.
- Sports and outdoor clothing: jackets, caps and sunglasses for your hikes and trips from SIROKO. Use code VIAJEROS10 for an extra 10% off.
More autumn hikes in the Pyrenees
If you like these hikes, don’t miss the Bosc del Gerdar hike or the Congost de Mont-rebei. You’ll find many more on our hiking trails page.
Autumn hikes in the Val d’Aran: FAQ
What are the best autumn hikes in the Val d’Aran?
Our three favourites are Artiga de Lin to the Uelhs deth Joèu, Saut deth Pish and the Circ de Colomèrs. They’re short or moderate hikes with spectacular autumn scenery.
Which is the easiest hike?
Saut deth Pish: 2.5 km return, about 100 metres of elevation gain and around 1 hour. It’s perfect with kids.
When is the best time to see the autumn colours in the Val d’Aran?
Usually from mid-October to early November, when the beech, birch and larch trees turn yellow and orange.
What are the Uelhs deth Joèu?
It’s the spot in Artiga de Lin where the water from the Aneto glacier resurfaces. It disappears into the Forau d’Aiguallut, on the Aragonese side, and comes out here as a waterfall.
Is the Circ de Colomèrs in a national park?
Yes, it’s part of the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park. Follow the park rules and stay on the trails.
Can I do these hikes with a dog?
Yes. We did Artiga de Lin and Colomèrs with our dog. At Colomèrs the trail enters the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, where dogs must be kept on a lead.
Can you drive to Artiga de Lin?
In summer, from July to early September, access is usually restricted and you go up on a tourist train from the visitor centre. In autumn you can normally drive to Pla de l’Artiga, but check before you go.
How do you get to Banhs de Tredòs for Colomèrs?
The Banhs de Tredòs road starts in Salardú. In high season access is restricted: you leave the car at the Aiguamòg car park and walk up or take a taxi. In winter the road is closed due to snow.
Can you do all three hikes in a weekend?
Yes. On Saturday you can do Artiga de Lin in the morning and Saut deth Pish in the afternoon, and on Sunday the Circ de Colomèrs. If you have time left, add the Camin dera Bruisha in Tredòs.
Save this guide and tell us on Instagram which of these autumn hikes in the Val d’Aran you’d do first.
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