Walk through the Éller village
We take the first street on our left, which leads up to the top of the village: El Pedró (with a good panoramic view).
By walking around the outside of the church building we get an idea of its construction. A sign next to the door provides information. Inside, the statue of Saint Eulalia is kept, one of the few to be spared from the 1936 burnings. There is a baptismal fountain, made of stone, and another for oil. A Romanesque Christ in majesty (on display at the National Art Museum of Catalonia – MNAC), a monstrance and a reliquary from the 19th century (now kept in Bellver Church) come from here. We go down La Rectoria Street, on the south side of the church, a narrow street that goes right past the Roca Gran (Great Rock), around which the village has grown.
We then go through the square, Plaça de Dalt, and head eastwards to the Cap de Sironell, an excellent vantage point for viewing the valley (we must pass through a single wire fence that keeps the animals in; we must make sure to close it again afterwards!)
We go back to the square. Here there is the old school (now property of Bellver Town Council) which is currently derelict.
We go through the bottom part of the square along a narrow path towards Olopte Street. At the top of this street we can see part of the village paddocks. The pioneer of hiking in Catalonia, Cèsar August Torras, passed through here in 1926, visiting the valley.
We go back as far as the first turning to the left, which takes us back to the Fountain.
Access: A local road (9 km) links Éller to the N-260, kilometre point 195.5, 1 km away from Bellver de Cerdanya.
Level of difficulty: suitable for all ages.
Height: 1,450 m.
Best time of year: all year round.
INTEREST OF THE WALK.
The chance to discover a mountain village of the Cerdanya area. By strolling through its streets we can get to know the physiognomy and landscape that surrounds Éller, right in the heart of the valley of the River Duran (Meranges Valley), a tributary of the River Segre.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
- Although a healthy curiosity is good for discovering things, we must be careful to respect the privacy of the residents.
- Use the rubbish containers located at the entrance to the village.
- Do not disturb the animals and do not pull up plants.
ALSO OF INTEREST IN THE AREA.
- Romanesque Road: Meranges, Olopte, Cortàs and Talltendre.
- Ares of natural interest (PEIN): Isóvol and Olopte hills. Tossa Plana-Puigpedrós.
- Malniu and Engorgs Lakes.
- Puigpedrós Peak (2,911 m).
- Bony del Manyer ( 2,788 m). La Carabassa (2,737 m).
- Riverside woods, with black pines and red pines
- Local path (signposted): Éller - Ordén - Cortàs.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
Bellver de Cerdanya Tourist Office
Download Itinerary (PDF format)
Guide trails with Cathars in the Pyrenees (from Éller to Ordèn, and around Cortàs) - PDF format
Joan Closas, the Éller Hostel's owner, explains that mankind has used the wood from time immemorial, but not all serve the same purpose.
The specific use of different woods and how to treat knowledge is very much alive and well guarded by some people in Cerdanya.
Thus it is known that there is as black pine for beams or clogs. The resistance of an ash handle is not the same as the willow, flexible and lightweight, yet strong for another use. (...)