{"version":"1.0","provider_name":"Ara Lleida","provider_url":"https:\/\/aralleida.cat\/en\/","author_name":"admin","author_url":"https:\/\/aralleida.cat\/en\/author\/frame_zesv7n2g\/","title":"Persecuted and saved Route 3 \u2013 Port de Salau","type":"rich","width":600,"height":338,"html":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"vmUr7GI2KO\"><a href=\"https:\/\/aralleida.cat\/en\/persecuted-and-saved-route-3-port-salau\/\">Persecuted and saved Route 3 \u2013 Port de Salau<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/aralleida.cat\/en\/persecuted-and-saved-route-3-port-salau\/embed\/#?secret=vmUr7GI2KO\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" title=\"&#8220;Persecuted and saved Route 3 \u2013 Port de Salau&#8221; &#8212; Ara Lleida\" data-secret=\"vmUr7GI2KO\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/* <![CDATA[ *\/\n\/*! This file is auto-generated *\/\n!function(d,l){\"use strict\";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&\"undefined\"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!\/[^a-zA-Z0-9]\/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),c=new RegExp(\"^https?:$\",\"i\"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display=\"none\";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute(\"style\"),\"height\"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):\"link\"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute(\"src\")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener(\"message\",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll(\"iframe.wp-embedded-content\"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute(\"data-secret\"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+=\"#?secret=\"+t,e.setAttribute(\"data-secret\",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:\"ready\",secret:t},\"*\")},!1)))}(window,document);\n\/\/# sourceURL=https:\/\/aralleida.cat\/wp-includes\/js\/wp-embed.min.js\n\/* ]]> *\/\n<\/script>\n","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/aralleida.cat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/IMG_20160807_132228.jpg","thumbnail_width":1440,"thumbnail_height":1080,"description":"[vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content_no_spaces&#8221; bg_type=&#8221;bg_color&#8221; bg_color_value=&#8221;#3c3c3b&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1605797650815{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1605797593358{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content_no_spaces&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1613404394213{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1613404400409{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][vc_column_text]DESCRIPTION This route leads to one of the mountain pass escape routes used during the Second World War. It ran from the French settlement of Salau, in the River Salat valley of the region of Ari\u00e8ge, to the Catalan Pyrenees. Escaping Jews made their way from the Port de Salau pass to the village of Al\u00f2s d&#8217;Isil. Some of those stopped and captured along the way were transferred to the prison at Sort. The Persecuted and Saved project signposts the route, followed on foot, from the Refugi del Fornet mountain shelter to the Port de Salau pass. It is signposted and can be walked in both directions. The proposed route can be completed in a single stage. STAGES Stage 1: Port de Salau \u2013 Refugi del Fornet After a 2-hour ascent, walkers will reach the top of the Port de Salau pass (at 2,087 m), where they will see the impressive remains of some very particular industrial constructions by Mathussi\u00e8re et Forest, a French company dedicated to the extraction of wood from the forests of Bonab\u00e9, between 1903 and 1921.\u00a0In order to transport this wood, the company constructed what was, at the time, the longest cable car route in Europe; it was 9 km long, with a very steep trajectory. These remains were also used during the Second World War as a shelter for crossing the Port de Salau pass.\u00a0The extensive esplanade of the pass is an open invitation to walk through these constructions, where it is also possible to find a number of platforms that remind us of history and of the Occit\u00e0-Catalan Meeting which has been held here every August for more than 30 years. At this gathering, neighbours from settlements on both sides of the mountains celebrate a commercial relationship, free from borders, which has lasted for centuries.\u00a0A small stream runs down the French side of the mountain. In summer, it is also possible to see the cattle pens on the other side, until the stream disappears behind the rocks, inviting people to come closer and to discover a magnificent vantage point that looks out over the French valley. From there, it is possible to see the remains of the fallen cable-car towers. \u00a0On the Catalan side, it is possible to look out over the extensive Bonab\u00e9 valley, which is bathed by the River Noguera Pallaresa. This is the meeting point of routes that run from other well-known passes, located further to the north: the Aul\u00e0, Clavera and Gireta passes, which are less accessible than the Salau route.\u00a0The descent starts from the back of the mountain, following the red and white markers of the cross-border GR, which runs between the two countries. The route is constantly accompanied by splendid views that invite visitors to stop and look out over the valley into which it descends.\u00a0At this point, the route enters the High Pyrenees Natural Park, which is the largest in Catalonia and is rich in flora and fauna. The area around the Port de Salau pass is edelweiss country. If found, this can be photographed, but visitors must remember that this is a protected species that cannot be picked.\u00a0Soon the route runs through an area with more trees, combined with fields of pasture, known as the Pleta dels Pastors, where it is frequent to find herds of cows chewing their cud in summer. Heading off to the left, the route first heads downhill into a gully, which it comfortably crosses, before then gently ascending. Here, the route follows a narrow, more hidden, path through a black pine wood. This runs parallel to the upper part of the River Noguera Pallaresa and connects the settlement of Al\u00f3s d&#8217;Isil to the \u00c0neu valleys (El Pallars Sobir\u00e0) and Montgarri to the Val d&#8217;Aran.\u00a0Following the track off to the left, walkers will reach Refugi del Fornet mountain shelter. TECHNICAL DETAILS Refugi del Fornet \u2013 Port de Salau \u2013 Refugi del Fornet Start point: El Fornet mountain shelter Mid point: Salau pass End point: El Fornet mountain shelter Total length: 8 km Initial altitude El Fornet mountain shelter: 1,371 m Maximum altitude of the Salau pass: 2,086 m Net ascent: 715 m Net descent: 715 m Difficulty: DEMANDING TOTAL ROUTE TIME: 3 hours 40 minutes + time for stops.\u00a0(going and returning by the same path)\u00a02 hours going up; 1 hour and 40 minutes coming down. ACCESS As far as the Refugi del Fornet mountain shelter (\u00c0neu valleys &#8211; El Pallars Sobir\u00e0) The distance from Sort to the village of Al\u00f2s d&#8217;Isil is 44 km. From there, visitors can go to the El Fornet mountain shelter, 4 km away, following a tarmac road. \u00a0Vehicles can be parked here to begin the route on foot. RECOMMENDATIONS TO FOLLOWING THE ROUTE Doing the route is conditioned by its state, which varies during the different seasons of the year. It is therefore recommended to do it in SUMMER &#8211; AUTUMN. Hiking poles. Mountain footwear. 5 litres of water per person. Solar protection (glasses, cap &#8230;) Wear appropriate clothing (warm clothing in case of cold, and waterproofs in case of rain). Take sufficient food for a whole day. Go with other people and, whenever possible, with guides who know the territory. Obtain information about the meteorological conditions and the path before starting the route. SPACES OF INSTEREST The \u00c0neu valleys and El Pallars Sobir\u00e0 boast numerous natural, cultural and sporting tourist resources that can be enjoyed all year round. It is particularly relevant to highlight those that can be found along the route or that it is recommended to visit on account of their thematic interest: &#8220;Road to Freedom&#8221; Prison Museum, at Sort This was a prison centre for more than 2,660 people who were detained during their flight"}