Easy
Catalonia · Spain
- Distance
- 1.0 km / 0.6 mi
- Elevation gain
- 150 m
- Typical duration
- 26 min
L'Airosa
ExpertCatalonia · Spain
- Distance
- 5.7 km (3.5 mi)
- Elevation gain
- 9,999 m (32,805 ft)
- Typical time
- 16 hr
- Difficulty
- Expert
- Route type
- Loop
- Highest point
- Not recorded
About L'Airosa
L'Airosa is a 5.7 km hiking route in Catalonia, Spain. It climbs roughly 9,999 m (32,805 ft) along the way. Most people take around 3 days at a comfortable pace, plus stops. Only take this on with mountain experience, solid navigation and a realistic view of your own pace.
There is no one famous view here. The appeal is the sustained quality of the walking and the fact that you are unlikely to share it with a crowd.
It is a 5.7 km loop, so you finish where you started and never repeat a section. It is not consistently waymarked, so carry a map or a downloaded track rather than relying on signs.
Summer here is hot and exposed, so the sensible season runs from autumn through to spring. The nearest town of any size is Tortosa, about 17.1 km away, which is where most people base themselves. The route is maintained by Parc Natural dels Ports.
In short, L'Airosa suits experienced mountain walkers who are comfortable with exposure, navigation and long descents. Dog access is not formally recorded here, so check locally before bringing one.
Route map
Expert5.7 km9,999 m
Route line from OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. View the source relation
The route in detail
The loop is usually walked clockwise from the main trailhead. The first third does most of the climbing, so settle into a slow rhythm early rather than trying to hold a flat-ground pace. The return leg is the reverse of the outward journey, which makes it easy to judge remaining time.
Highlights
- Circular route, no backtracking
- Over 1,000 m (3,281 ft) of ascent
Know before you go
- Best season
- October to May
- Waymarked
- Not consistently
- Surface
- Mixed natural surface
- Dogs
- Not recorded, check locally
- Wheelchair access
- Not accessible
- Entrance fee
- No fee recorded
- Camping
- Not recorded
- Drinking water
- Carry your own
- Toilets
- Not recorded
- Mobile coverage
- Generally usable
- Parking
- Park at the trailhead, arrive early in high season
- Emergency
- 112 in Europe, 911 in North America
How this trail scores
Computed from distance, ascent, terrain features, surface and access data.
- Scenery
- 34/100
- Adventure
- 40/100
- Difficulty
- 100/100
- Accessibility
- 46/100
- Family
- 25/100
- Dogs
- 47/100
Terrain features, relief and photographic interest
Distance, ascent and how wild the ground is
Effort index from distance and climbing
Surface, gradient and ease of reaching it
Suitability for children who already walk
Access rules, terrain and water along the way
Tips from the trail
- Start at first light. A long day is far more pleasant when you are not racing the sunset on the descent.
- Aim for october to may for the most reliable conditions.
- Download the track to your phone before you leave. Signal is not guaranteed.
- Leave nothing behind, including fruit peel, and stay on the marked line to protect the ground either side.
Warnings
- This route is long and sustained. Turn back early rather than late if the weather closes in.
Safety
Emergency services in Spain are reached on 112. Tell someone your route and expected finish time before you set off, particularly if you are walking alone. Mobile coverage is generally usable along this route, but do not rely on it as your only plan. If the weather deteriorates, descending the way you came is almost always the safer option.
What to bring
- Comfortable, broken-in hiking shoes or boots
- Weatherproof jacket
- At least 1.5 litres of water
- Trekking poles for the descent
- Offline map and compass
- Head torch and spare battery
- Extra warm layer
- Small first aid kit including blister plasters
Photography
Overcast light suits this route better than harsh midday sun, especially under tree cover. Because it is a loop, the light changes direction as you go, so save some memory for the back half. A wide lens captures the scale, but a short telephoto is what turns a good view into a photograph.
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
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Trails near L'Airosa
Other routes within a short drive, ranked by distance from this trailhead.
Moderate
Catalonia · Spain
- Distance
- 8.2 km / 5.1 mi
- Elevation gain
- 515 m
- Typical duration
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Hard
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- Distance
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- Elevation gain
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- Typical duration
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Hard
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- Elevation gain
- 1,209 m
- Typical duration
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Hard
Catalonia · Spain
- Distance
- 19.7 km / 12.3 mi
- Elevation gain
- 434 m
- Typical duration
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- Waymarked route
Hard
Catalonia · Spain
- Distance
- 26.9 km / 16.7 mi
- Elevation gain
- 591 m
- Typical duration
- 6 hr 50 min