Hostel Arderico

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Ardericó is a country-house that was first named in the 16th century.

In its flourishing times there were twenty adult men working on the farm, and the whole valley was deforested for potatoes, cabbage-fields and pastures for cows. Destroyed and rebuilt in the second Carline war (1870) it was gradually abandoned in 1950 like most of the isolated farms in the Pyrenees.

A chain of coincidences – perhaps its unique location has to do with it – made sure the house didn't collapse. For the last two years I have been recovering the house and running it as a mountain-hut and a camping-place.

All the basic needs (water, light, heating, sanitary) are available, but it is not a luxury hotel.

The distance to the nearest village is 11km, in the kettle-shaped valley with several ecosystems according to the orientation: Beech Woods on the north side, Oakwood’s on the Southside, in between and on the heights pine forest, the recovered fauna, the silence of an eagle cry, the poetry of a red rock in the morning, an unexpected snowstorm in June, a never before seen orchid are the strengths and the luxury of Ardericó.

Accommodation Information

Mountain huts are a very specific type of lodging because of their situation and difficulty of access.

- The mountain huts are conceived as a sportive installation: respect the quiet hours for who wants to get up early
- You are expected to arrive before dark or in summer before 19h00. Dinner is usually served around 20h00 and you should warn if you can’t arrive on time, if not emergency services might be alerted
- The menu is standard: everybody eats the same. If you have nutritional problems (celiac, diabetics, vegetarians), please let it know long before arriving
- You should carry a pair of comfortable shoes or slippers and leave your trekkers when arriving at the mountain hut
- The bedrooms do not open till dinner time
- Electricity and water are often difficult to obtain: respect the indications of the guard. It’s your own responsibility to drink water of the fountains and taps
- Carry a battery light for nightly moves
- Coming from the “civilization”, you probably have more information about the weather then the guards do, but you can prefer to trust their sixth sense. As there is no litter recollection, as a general rule you have to carry yours back to the village

Location Information

Nature

The Natural Park of Cadí-Moixeró

One of the largest natural parks of Catalonia goes from 800 to 2600m and has its information centre in nearby Bagà. We can find here hiking routes, ice climbing and alpinism.

The Llobregat sources

The impressive source of one of the main rivers of Catalonia, the Llobregat, pours out the water with pressure.

The “Riera de Merlès”

A river with many natural enormous bathtubs which allow swimming and are very popular in summer.

Villages

La Pobla de Lillet

A former industrial village (mining, textile, paper, cement, etc.) that is looking for a new way to live, probably tourism. The glorious past left some precious reminiscences such as a park and a chalet of Gaudí (yes, the one from Barcelona), a modernistic factory that is being restored (in fact on the lower part of Castellar de n’Hug), a tourist train on the old small track, mines in the Catllaràs and (not too) impressive villas.

We will also find reminding of the medieval past of La Pobla, like the Castle (now on hire for vacations), the strangely restored abbey and several age old farms (like Ardericó) and hermitages.

Bagà

The medieval centre of Bagà recalls the times when it was the capital of the barony of Pinós, the barons of which simpathized with the Catars.

Castellar de n'Hug

A beautiful high mountain village (1600m) with a long tourist tradition (hotels, restaurants, museums, etc.)

Sant Jaume de Frontanyà

It maintains its traditional rural architecture and personality. A charming Romanic church crowns the smallest village of Catalonia in number of inhabitants.

Gombrèn

In this other old settlement we can find the Castle of a character of the middle age, the duke Arnau and a sanctuary near an important alpinism zone with the same name (Montgrony).

Ripoll

This little medieval town is considered the crib of Catalonia.

Berga

Another medieval town that has many things to offer. Its ancestral spring celebration, la Patum, was declared Patrimony of the Humanity by the UNESCO.