Pallars Sobirà is known for its wild nature and mountain landscapes, but it is also a territory deeply marked by the history of the 20th century. During the Spanish Civil War and the Second World War, many of its ancient paths became routes of exile and freedom.
Paths that had once been used by shepherds, traders, and border crossers turned into escape routes for thousands of people. Today, these itineraries can be walked as routes of historical memory, just a short distance from Pey Resort in Sort.
🕊️ Sort and Pallars: a land of passage
The location of Sort, in the heart of Pallars Sobirà, made the town a key place of passage and organisation. From here, many exiles headed towards the high mountain passes leading into France.
These routes were used by:
- Republican exiles after 1939
- Jews fleeing Nazism
- Allied airmen
- members of resistance networks
Always with the help of local guides (passadors), who knew the terrain and the risks they were taking.
🛤️ Main exile routes in Pallars Sobirà
Route via the Port de Salau
The most emblematic exile route in Pallars Sobirà
The Port de Salau (2,087 m) is the best-known and most documented exile route in the region.
- It connects Pallars Sobirà with the French Ariège
- Widely used from 1939 onwards
- Today it forms part of the Caminos de la Libertad
- Marked as a route of historical memory
It is a demanding hike, but one filled with stories of survival, fear and hope.
Route via the Port de Guiló
Exile along a discreet, hidden path
The Port de Guiló, near Tavascan, was a less-known and less-controlled crossing.
- Used by fugitives and guides
- High-mountain, physically demanding route
- Wild, little-travelled surroundings
It represents the silent, clandestine side of exile.
Route via the Port de Tavascan
Between herding, smuggling and exile
The Port de Tavascan had several uses over time:
- traditional herding route
- smuggling path
- escape route during wartime
The trails leading to the pass follow ancient paths that are now part of the cultural heritage of Pallars.
Certascan Route
Shepherds’ paths turned into paths of freedom
In the surroundings of Lake Certascan, high-mountain shepherd trails were reused during the Second World War.
- Long, demanding routes
- Spectacular alpine landscapes
- A powerful example of how traditional paths were adapted in extreme times
Exile routes in Vall Ferrera
A network of escape routes
The Vall Ferrera concentrated several crossings into France used by escape networks during the Second World War.
Today, many of these trails are part of routes of historical memory, helping visitors understand the key role the Pyrenees played in European exile history.
🌄 Walking today, remembering the past
Walking the paths of exile today is not just about hiking:
- it’s about moving in silence
- seeing the mountains as a refuge
- and remembering human stories in a breathtaking natural setting
These trails are part of the intangible heritage of Pallars Sobirà.
🏨 Discover the paths of exile from Pey Resort in Sort
From Pey Resort in Sort, these routes can be explored in a thoughtful and comfortable way:
- Practical information about memorial routes
- Recommendations based on fitness level and season
- Ideas to combine heritage, nature and relaxation
Because staying at Pey Resort is not only about enjoying the Pyrenees — it’s about understanding and remembering them.