2008-11-15

On the Footprint of the Templars in Rio Lobos  

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They say that the Wolves River Canyon is a magical place, because there are traces of the presence of the Templars and some mysteries wrapped in order to resolve this.

Lobos Canyon River Gorge is a 14 km long in the Nafría mountain range. The canyon, the diversity of fauna and landscape cantiles are the highlights of the protected area. It is one of the reliefs that stand between the Central and the Iberian.

Its continental climate has generated a growing poplar, willow and juniper albar, living with the oak and pine oak.

As for fauna, there griffon vultures, golden eagles, hawks ... and between mamíeros, the Iberian wolf. Also deserving attention amphibians and reptiles.
The slopes can reach an altitude of 100 meters

Erosion by water has sunk the riverbed. On the slopes of the canyon, which can reach 100 meters in altitude, low-water sources for the rusty color of the walls. There are numerous marked hiking trails and the ability to enter any of the numerous torcas, potholes and caves that undermine their walls.

Three different access

Access into the canyon are made from three different points. On the west side, upstream, is accessed from Hontoria del Pinar (Burgos) population being reached by the N-234.

The second access is located 12 km from the previous half-way stage, missing 9km Ucero to output, and is called the Bridge of Seven Eyes and is next to the SO-960 road that connects San Leonardo de Yagüe St. Mary of the Hoyas.

At the end of the canyon is the entry of Ucero is the most popular is the ydonde Interpretation Center of Nature. About Ucero on the road SO-920 is the viewpoint of the Galiana shows that the park from the edge of cliffs.
Since there is a huge cave a spectacular view of the shrine Templar

The most traveled and well-known park is undoubtedly the Colmenar of the friars at the foot of which lies the shrine of St. Bartholomew Templar.

This area is located 3.5 km from the entrance to Ucero, the esplanade that stretches in front of the Great Cave, an enormous cave that remains always open and accessible.

The chapel of St. Bartholomew

The chapel of St. Bartholomew is a Romanesque building of the first quarter of the thirteenth century with a burgeoning influence of Gothic. It was part of a Templar monastery which retains only the chapel.

The link with the Order of the Temple and tested this with her open mysteries remain.

This shrine is at the same distance in meters of the outer limits to the east and west of the Iberian Peninsula. The union between the location of the chapel with other churches Templar Peninsula form a Maltese cross, the symbol of the order.

2008-11-09

Andorra, A Paradise For Skiers  

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With the largest skiable area in the Pyrenees, Andorra and all ski areas are finalizing preparations to launch the new winter season 2008/09.
The big stations do offer the best destination in the Principality white

The country has two seasons, Grandvalira and Vallnord where, in addition to skiing and snow surfing you can do other activities related to the snow, snowshoeing and hiking, biking snow sleds driven by dogs and snowmobiles. There are also instaaciones of Naturlàndia-La Rabassa and Parador Canaro.

Grandvalira: Pas de la Casa-Grau Roig and Soldeu-El Tarter

North of the Principality of Andorra, is the season that make up the Pas de la Casa-Grau Roig and Soldeu-El Tarter (1926 Ha). With six different access to tracks, 14 parks, 40 restore points, 450 monitors and a maximum altitude of 2640 m and 1710 m at least, Grandvalira has 110 tracks of 193 km with a capacity of 100,700 skiers / hour, 67 lifts and 83 miles from tracks of snow.

Grandvalira opened this season the Ice Hotel Iglu-Dorf Grandvalira-Grau Roig, 2,300 m, with restaurant and spa, and the ice bar, located at the foot of the ski lift Pla de les Pedres and walking tracks Grandvalira - Pas de la Casa.
To the food lovers can enjoy a very special dinner, over 2,000 m, in restaurants Grandvalira-Canillo, El Tarter Grandvalira-and Grandvalira-Grau Roig.

Vallnord: Arcalís, Arinsal and Pal

Pal sector is ideal for family skiing. A ski area of 707 ha innivada with capacity for 39,180 skiers per hour, with 31 lifts, 271 artificial snow cannons, 200 monitors, 12 restore points and 9 parking with capacity for 6600 vehicles. FIS their stadium is one of the largest in southern Europe, and in areas of artistic and acrobatic skiing and off track (with 40,000 m2 with chill out included) practiced the latest trends in snow skiing and surfing.
Pal sector is the most wanted by the families of skiers

This practice can also be other activities such as snow falls with bikes, snowmobiles, hiking and white scenic helicopter flights. There are also many activities for the little ones, such as circuits snowmobiles children.

Vallnord opens this season's first and only Speed Riding School of the Peninsula. It is a new form of skiing developed mainly in the French Alps, which merges the capabilities of paragliding and skiing with a parachute.

La Rabassa Naturlàndia-hundred percent skiing

Sant Julia de Loria, between 2160 m and 1960 m, is Naturlàndia. The Snow Camp La Rabassa is the reference point for lovers of nature and the Nordic skiing. In addition to 15 miles of marked tracks, paths and cross country ski school, has the Inuit Parc, an enclosed area of 3,000 m2 for initiation pathways and circuits games on trees.

La Rabassa offers one of the most spectacular this winter: the Tobotronc. With a height of 400 meters and four miles, the slide has become the cable lifts world's longest. With a length of 1,700 m and climb 3550 m downhill run can walk the woods with a mechanical sled.