The Patronato de Turismo de la Diputación de Lleida thorugh the tourist mark "Ara Lleida", jointly with the participation of the Asociación de Parapléjicos y Discapacitados Físicos de Lleida (ASPID, a local disabled organization "Association of Paraplegics and the Physically Disabled of Lleida"), has started up a program of tourist information featuring accessible and/or adapted facilities for impaired visitors in over a hundred venues and premises.

The main goal of the program is to enhance and promote equality of opportunity so that no sector of population is excluded, regardless their abilities and capabilities, and is able to enjoy and experience leisure activities and tourist venues in the Lands of Lleida. A version in English is available at:
http://www.lleidatur.com/ing/turisme_accessible.html

One is to doubt when before such an appealing offer: just as before a basket filled with fragrant and mature fruits. Historical fruits, with their full growth flavour and along time (cultural sites and accessible museums), fruits ready to be tasted in natural surroundings, just like pulled up from the tree ( adaptive canoeing, fishing, skiing and golf), almost exotic fruits in whose pulp the well-being provided by their essence is concentrated (accessible rural tourism and spa) and wild fruits, fruits of the forest that, unusual and shining, appear in our way, and can be tasted without haste by all and in all their sensuality (P. N. de Aigüestortes and Estany de Sant Maurici, the Park of the Mitjana, Les Planes de Son, Utxesa Natural Trail, Aiguabarreig...).

The so shiny and cared for wickerwork of the basket is inviting us to follow its woven lines: accessible and/or adapted facilities in hotel accommodation are so clearly specified making it easy for everyone to choose according to particular wishes and/or needs.

Thanks to the exhaustive and clear information offered in this website, we will soon see ourselves crossing the timber footbridges and gangways (suitable and adapted for wheelchair users) in the National Park Aigüestortes and Estany de Sant Maurici as well as in the Segre-Cinca-Ebro Confluence (Aiguabarreig); where the 700-metre-long wooden walkway runs through the middle of a magnificent riverside wood is equipped with railings, therefore adapted for the blind. Its 1.2m width also means that it is suitable for wheelchair users (there are wider points to allow for turning space)

There is a bird watching vantage point equipped with an access ramp (slope of less than 7%) at the end of the route.

The Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, which offers the very best in high mountain scenery, is a paradise dominated by majestic mountains and dotted with a series of cold water pools (or "estanys"). It is by no means easy to adapt such a wild and rugged mountain area so that it can be enjoyed by disabled visitors, but this should not be used as an excuse for failing to make the effort required to achieve this goal. The Aigüestortes plateau and the area around the Estany de Sant Maurici are the best known areas of the National Park. With a view to making them more readily accessible to everyone and to eliminating some of the physical barriers that nature has created, the park authorities have built a series of specially conditioned wooden gangways which enable wheelchair access. These special paths can also be used by other people with reduced mobility and by the blind. The gangways are 110 cm wide and have been provided with 180cm wide passing points at intervals of 100 m to help people to turn round. They are protected on both sides by small 8cm kerbs , which prevent wheelchairs from running off the gangway. These kerbs also serve to orient blind visitors. The gradient along the gangway is always less than 8% and, in fact, rarely exceeds 5%.
The Aigüestortes Plateau Gangway (Boí) Total distance: 1,000 metres (outward and inward trails following the same route). Vehicles must be left at the Aigüestortes car park, visitors should follow the main track for about 550 metres (levelled and compacted in order to facilitate wheelchair access). The wheelchair accessible gangway is 450 metres long and runs straight across the middle of the plateau.

Gangway from El Pont de la Gorga (Espot) Total distance: 450 metres (outward and inward trails following the same route). This gangway starts from a point just above the visitors' car park at El Prat de Pierró, where four parking spaces have been specially set aside for disabled visitors. The beginning of the route coincides with that of the chamois route, which is the main footpath to the Estany de Sant Maurici. The gangway ends at El Pont de la Gorga, a point at which the path rises steeply and then runs along the sunny side of the valley. This route takes visitors into the large fir forest that occupies much of the shady part of the Escrita valley. 

Approach gangway to the Estany de Sant Maurici. Total distance:
80 metres (outward and inward trails following the same route). This short route provides access for wheelchairs from the vehicle set down point to the edge of the lake. It provides a practical alternative to the descent down a grassy bank which previously constituted anatural barrier for wheelchair users and people with reduced mobility.

Although motor vehicle access is strictly limited within the National Park, the entry of vehicles carrying people with reduced mobility can also be authorised under special circumstances. In such cases, it is necessary to ask for special permission from the National Park authorities. The National Park offers groups of disabled people the possibility to follow specific routes with a Specialist Park Guide who will explain the most important aspects of this protected natural space and also provide them with lots of interesting anecdotes and explanations.

Browsing this website pages, we will also intuit the perfume of olive oil, its texture and its colour, before visiting the modern Les Garrigues Interpretation Centre where visitors can enjoy a dynamic guided visit by means of audiovisual techniques that will entertain, surprise and, above all, inform visitors. Premises and programmes in this Centre have been designed to meet the needs of people with reduced mobility.

Organizing a picnic will not be a headache either: The Park of the Mitjana, in the city of Lleida, is equipped with the necessary elements to make most of its spaces, paths and itineraries accessible to all visitors. Picnic tables are accessible for wheelchair users (special sign-posting for the blind and people with impaired sight is available). General sign-posting within the park comprises of panels indicating accessible routes and the main points of interest along each path (river, wood, interpretation centre, observation points, etc.) and also signs with explanations in relief and in braille. There are bird-watching posts specially adapted for wheelchair users.

The River Segre and Utxesa Nature Trail, connecting two areas of great natural value is a great destination not far from the city of Lleida. The flat trail is 13 km long and most of the observation points are at ground level. The information point is easily accessible for everyone and there's one adapted toilet. There's a shelter too, where it is possible to make meals or enjoy short stays (featuring easy access and adapted toilet facilities). Environmental educational activities and guided visits have been designed and organised so that they can be enjoyed by absolutely everyone.

Just like before some showcases, before the informative site of Accessible Tourism of Lleida, we will jump from perplexity to surprise, and from surprise to the anxiety of not leaving anything behind ... Everyone is aware of his own limits..... Take of Lleida... as much as you can!
 

Patronato de Turismo de la Diputación de Lleida.
Tel: +34 902 10 11 10  Fax: +34 973 24 55 58  SMS: +34 973 900 900
E-mail: lleidatur@lleidatur.com
www.lleidatur.com/turismoaccesible

Asociación de Parapléjicos y Discapacitados Físicos de Lleida
(ASPID)
Tel: +34 973 22 87 00
www.aspidlleida.com

Parque Nacional de Aigüestortes y Estany de Sant Maurici.
Casa del Parque Nacional de Espot. Tel.: +34 973 62 40 36
Casa del Parque Nacional de Boí. Tel.: +34 973 69 61 89
http://mediambient.gencat.net/esp//el_medi/parcs_de_catalunya/aiguestortes/inici.jsp

 

LLEIDA

 

 

Rebecca Arce