Barcelona Field Studies Centre

Glaciation Studies - Vall de Núria

Vall de Núria Themes Details
Travel time: 2½ hours

Views of the Núria valley Sanctuary and lake.

Vall de Nuria

Spectacular glacial scenery in the Núria valley of the Pyrenees.

The Vall de Núria lies at the confluence of seven valleys, all of glacial origin. Glacial landforms include U-shaped and hanging valleys, cirques, moraines and roches moutonnées.

Lichenometry techniques may be used to estimate the different stages of glacial retreat.

Studies can include glacial processes and landforms as well as river channel characteristics, the impact of the Vall de Núria ski resort and tourism management for sustainability.

The Vall de Núria is isolated and can only be reached by a rack and pinion railway which climbs to 2000 metres.

The total journey time from Barcelona is approximately 2½ hours.

The mountain resort is seen as a model of sustainable tourism, where visitor impact is carefully managed. Common wildlife includes chamois and marmoset.

The Vall de Núria study is available May-November when the area is ice-free.

This fieldwork study is supported with secondary data and takes a full day.