This route leads to one of the mountain passes used by those fleeing from Second World War persecution. It runs from Les Escaldes-Engordany (Andorra) to the Catalan Pyrenees. After making their initial ascent through the Andorran Vall de Madriu, which is located above the Port de Perafita pass, refugees walked down to the Estanys de la Pera pools and then on to the settlements of Aransa, Lles, Travesseres and Martinet. The Persecuted and Saved project has signposted the route from the Port de Perafita pass to Martinet.

  • The Val d’Aran was one of the main entry routes for refugees, both via the customs office of Pònt de Rei and following the mountain paths leading from the French departments of Haute-Garonne and Ariège to Es Bòrdes, Bossòst, Bausen, Les, Canejan and Montgarri. They then headed southward, through the Bonaigua pass, or walked to L’Alta Ribagorça.

  • This route leads to one of the mountain passes used by refugees escaping from the Second World War to enter the Catalan Pyrenees from the Vall de Riberot. This valley, is located in the French local district of Couserans, in the province of Ariège, which belongs to the region of Midi-Pyrenees. The Persecuted and Saved project signposts the route from Montgarri to the Port de Gireta pass. It can only be done on foot, with trekkers going there and returning on the same day. From Montgarri, those seeking freedom used to follow the route as far as Alós d’Isil on foot. Today, it is also possible to do the route by mountain bike (MTB) or 4×4 vehicle, according to the time of year.

  • 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 Ariège, to the Catalan Pyrenees. Escaping Jews made their way from the Port de Salau pass to the village of Alòs d’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.

  • 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 Ossèse, Ustou and Aulus les Bains, in the region of Ariège, to the Catalan Pyrenees. The 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. From the Tavascan pass, those in search of freedom first followed this route to Tavascan and then continued on to Lleida once within Catalan territory. This 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.

  • This route leads from the neighbouring country of Andorra to Bescaran in L’Alt Urgell. The Persecuted and Saved project signposts the route from the Coll de Pimés pass and can be followed on foot or by mountain bike (MTB). From the Coll de Pimés pass, walkers in search of freedom followed the route to Bescaran, Estamariu and Llirt before reaching La Seu d’Urgell. To get a taste of what these escape routes represent, Persecuted and Saved proposes that walkers follow the section from the Coll de Pimés pass, which can be accessed by vehicle from Andorra, before then heading downhill on foot to Bescaran, in L’Alt Urgell.

  • This route leads to one of the mountain passes used by those fleeing from Second World War persecution. It runs from Les Escaldes-Engordany (Andorra) to the Catalan Pyrenees. After making their initial ascent through the Andorran Vall de Madriu, which is located above the Port de Perafita pass, refugees walked down to the Estanys de la Pera pools and then on to the settlements of Aransa, Lles, Travesseres and Martinet. The Persecuted and Saved project has signposted the route from the Port de Perafita pass to Martinet.

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