Aubèrt: Churches, the Camin Reiau and Fir Forest

Aubèrt combines Romanesque religious buildings with paths through the fir forest and striking natural destinations in the Val d’Aran. The Romanesque church of Sant Martí is located in Aubèrt. Sant Martí d’Aubèrt is said to have been part of a former Augustinian convent whose monks also lived in Santa Maria de Mijaran. The historical connection therefore remains associated with the convent’s former use.

Culture and History

Another religious building is the Glèisa dera Mare de Diu deth Rosèr. It was built in the 12th century. Its bell tower was added in the 16th century and has a square floor plan and an octagonal upper section. The lower part of the tower is therefore square, while the upper section is octagonal. The church also preserves a baptismal font and a Gothic processional cross. The earlier construction period, the later addition of the tower and the surviving ecclesiastical furnishings form a single architectural ensemble here.

Aubèrt celebrates its main festival on the first Sunday in October. When planning a visit to the festival, the current event dates and times should be checked before travelling.

Other local destinations include: Escunhau, Betlan, Casau and Arròs.

Nature

From Aubèrt, you can reach the Baricauba fir forest. The route from Aubèrt continues through the fir forest to Artiga de Lin. A drive through the extensive Baricauba fir forest leads to several scenic places in the Val d’Aran. Baricauba thus connects the route to Artiga de Lin with a drive to several places in the Val d’Aran and forms a distinct landscape area between these destinations.

Uelhs deth Joeu, a waterfall formed by water from the Aneto Glacier, is located nearby. After flowing underground through the mountain for four kilometres, the water emerges again. The glacier water therefore travels from its source at the Aneto Glacier through the mountain before re-emerging at the surface. When visiting a waterfall, current information about trail conditions and local opening times is among the details that can be checked before departure.

Paths and Activities

The Camin Reiau reaches Aubèrt when followed from Vielha towards France. The restored section of the Camin Reiau that passes through Aubèrt lies within the Natura 2000 network. The historic route and the protected landscape area meet directly along this section. Route 9 of the Val d’Aran BTT network begins at Aubèrt’s recreation area. This means that the same starting point is the focus of two different outdoor experiences: a restored section of the Camin Reiau and the beginning of this BTT route. For hikes and cycling tours, current route conditions and public transport schedules should be checked before travelling if the return journey is not to be made entirely on foot or by bicycle. The return from the hike can be made by public transport.

For the higher-level travel overview: Vielha.