Discover Arties: Sant Joan, the Tarò Festival and Trails

Arties offers visitors several clear highlights: the church of Sant Joan d’Arties, two annual events in June, walking and cycling routes, and Banhs d’Arties. If you are looking for a hotel, the reason for your trip can help guide your choice: a festival visit depends on a specific date, while hiking and cycling interests bring other route features to the fore.

Culture and June events

The church of Sant Joan d’Arties is classified as a Bien Cultural de Interés Local (BCIL) and placed under special protection because of its historical and heritage value. The official classification was announced in September 2022. For visitors interested in Arties’ cultural heritage, it is a specific point of interest that can be included in your plans independently of the festival dates.

The Tarò Festival takes place every year on 23 June, the eve of St John’s Day. During the ritual, a fir tree trunk is burned and carried through the streets and squares of Arties, while participants jump over the flames.

The pilgrimage to the Ermita de San Pelegrín takes place every year on 25 June as part of Arties’ patron saint celebrations in honour of St John. Participants walk to the chapel, attend a Mass and are then given bread with cheese. The two June events are two days apart and offer different reasons to visit: the Tarò ritual on the eve of St John’s Day and the pilgrimage on 25 June.

Hiking and cycling

The route to the La Restanca refuge starts in Arties and follows the Valarties track to the car park at the Ressèc bridge. From there, the walk to the refuge takes two hours each way. When planning your day, note that this is the time “each way”: you should also allow time for the return journey.

The Arties–Garòs mountain biking loop connects the two villages via quiet dirt tracks and is considered peaceful and family-friendly. Unlike the hike to La Restanca, for which a walking time each way is given, these characteristics describe the cycling route’s course, surface and traffic.

A technical brochure from 2025 lists Eth Taro d’Arties as 330 metres long, with 100 metres of elevation gain and a difficulty rating of 4K+. These figures provide specific measurements and a difficulty rating; by contrast, the mountain biking loop is described in terms of its connection, surface and traffic levels. Comparing the routes described in this way lets you weigh up different aspects when making your choice.

Thermal waters in Arties

Banhs d’Arties is a thermal leisure pool supplied by sulphurous water. The water emerges near the site at a temperature of 39 °C. This adds a distinct thermal attraction to the cultural heritage, festival dates and routes. If Banhs d’Arties is important to your travel plans, check the current visiting options in advance.

Discover more destinations: Tredós, Salardú, Bagergue, Garòs, Unha

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