{"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 4 \u2013 Port de Tavasc\u00e1n","type":"rich","width":600,"height":338,"html":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"JUCyLt8G1j\"><a href=\"https:\/\/aralleida.cat\/en\/persecuted-and-saved-route-4-port-tavascan\/\">Persecuted and saved Route 4 \u2013 Port de Tavasc\u00e1n<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/aralleida.cat\/en\/persecuted-and-saved-route-4-port-tavascan\/embed\/#?secret=JUCyLt8G1j\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" title=\"&#8220;Persecuted and saved Route 4 \u2013 Port de Tavasc\u00e1n&#8221; &#8212; Ara Lleida\" data-secret=\"JUCyLt8G1j\" 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\/P1060202.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 passes used by those fleeing from the Second World War who walked from the French settlements of Oss\u00e8se, Ustou and Aulus les Bains, in the region of Ari\u00e8ge, to the Catalan Pyrenees.\u00a0The Persecuted and Saved project signposts the route refugees followed on foot to the Port de Tavascan pass from the Font de la Casa car park. Trekkers can go there and return following a route that can only be done on foot. \u00a0From the Tavascan pass, those in search of freedom first followed this route to Tavascan and then continued on to Lleida once within Catalan territory.\u00a0This is a short stage which gives a taste of what the refugees who crossed the Pyrenees fleeing from the horrors of Nazism must have experienced.\u00a0The proposed route can be completed in a single stage: STAGES STAGE 1: Font de la Costa \u2013 Port de Tavascan \u2013 Font de la Costa The route begins at the top of the Tavascan pass, at an altitude of 2,218 metres. At the bottom, looking towards France, it is possible to see the Guzet Neige ski resort and the large apartment complex of Prat Matau. This is where the descent from the pass starts. It is an area which tends to be very windy, due to the abrupt changes in temperature that result from marked contrasts between the Atlantic climate of France and the Mediterranean climate of the Catalan Pyrenees. At this point, it is possible to see the Estanys del Port pools down below, without anything to block the fantastic views. In other words, these pools stand to one side of the great hydro-electric network that was built in the Card\u00f3s Valley in the last century. This is also one of the settings for the successful novel by Ramon Solsona entitled &#8220;All\u00f2 que va passar a Card\u00f3s&#8221; (What happened at Card\u00f3s).\u00a0 After following the red and white markings of the GR for about 30 minutes, trekkers will come to the foot of the first pool. From there, it is possible to see the 2,618-metre-high Montarenyo peak, off to the right, and the 2,781-metre-high Flamisella, to the left.\u00a0Continuing along path that skirts the pool along its left-hand side, walkers will reach the Estany Xic (small pool) after about 15 minutes. There, it is possible to find a small, unmanned, mountain shelter, which can be used in cases of necessity.\u00a0After the Estany Xic, there is a zigzag descent along which trekkers will almost certainly encounter flocks of the animals. They usually enjoy the pasture here from spring until autumn.\u00a0To the left, it is possible to see the results of the harsh climatology that trees must endure at these altitudes. It is also possible to observe the effects of the avalanches that take place in this steeply sloping area of the Pyrenees in winter and spring and to imagine how difficult it must have been for all those people who walked along this route during the Spanish Civil War and the Second World War, particularly in winter.\u00a0The route runs through one of the most emblematic valleys in the High Pyrenees Natural Park: the Card\u00f3s Valley. It can only be done on foot, although it is possible to use a mountain bike (MTB) or 4&#215;4 vehicle to get from Tavascan to the car park at Font de la Costa. TECHNICAL DETAILS Stage 1: Port de Tavascan \u2013 Font de la Costa Start point: Tavascan Pass End point: Font de la Costa Total length: 2.8 km (one way) &#8211;\u00a05.6 km (return journey) Initial altitude at the Tavascan Pass: 2.218 m Final altitude at Font de la Costa: 1.809 m. Net ascent: 409 m. Difficulty: MODERATE Duration: 1 h 45 min ascent &#8211; 1 h descent Whole route: 2 hours 45 minutes + time for stops. ACCESS POINTS As far as Font de la Costa (Card\u00f3s Valley &#8211; El Pallars Sobir\u00e0): It is 34 km from Sort to the village of Tavascan (Card\u00f3s Valley). Once at the village, head to the Pleta del Prat mountain shelter. This route enters one of the most spectacular landscapes in the High Pyrenees, which is scattered with \u201cbordes\u201d (rural buildings) that provided shelter for those fleeing the wars. Soon after, trekkers will arrive at Bordes de Grau. Here, there is now a camp site next to the Graus reservoir, which supplies the hydro-electric power station of Tavascan. Then, 6 km further along, lie the Bordes de Quanca, off to the left. To the right, there is a turn off from the forest track that leads to the Estanys del Port pools. \u00a0This 5 km section, which runs as far as the car park at La Font de la Costa spring, must be done using a 4&#215;4 vehicle, on foot, or by mountain bike (MTB). It takes visitors to the start of the walking route that goes on to the Port de Tavascan pass. For those who like variety, on the way back, just a short distance from the spring, there is a turn off which leads to Bordes de Noarre, which was another of the hiding places used by those escaping the war. At this point, trekkers are only about a 15-minute walk from the forest track. RECOMMENDATIONS TO FOLLOWING THE ROUTE Doing the route is conditioned by its state, which varies according to the different seasons of the year. It is recommended to do it in SUMMER &#8211; AUTUMN.\u00a0At the end of the pass, it is often quite windy. It is therefore recommended to wear warm clothing, regardless of the time of year. Hiking poles. Mountain footwear. 5 litres of water per person. Solar protection (glasses, cap, etc.) Wear appropriate clothing (warm clothes in case of cold, and"}