Can I drive the unpaved road to Victòria Mine in Val d'Aran?
Mina Victòria is an abandoned zinc mine located in the Val d'Aran valley, in the northwestern part of the province of Lleida, in Spain.
Where is Victòria Mine?
The mine, also known as Mina Margalida, is located in the autonomous community of Catalonia, in the northern part of the country, within the valley of Barradòs.
What’s the history of Victòria Mine?
The Val d'Aran has historically been a mineral extraction area. At the beginning of the 20th century, zinc mining began in the Arres and Bossòst area. By 1912, the Mina Victòria was in full operation, extracting around 80 tons of raw ore daily, and a mineral washing plant was opened in Bossòst. Between 100 and 150 people worked at the mine, divided between the inside and outside of the tunnels. Mining operations stopped during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). Extraction restarted in 1949 and continued until 1953, when falling zinc prices and labor shortages led to the permanent closure of the mines.
Is the road to Victòria Mine unpaved?
The road to the mine is totally unpaved, in bad condition. It’s an old mining road, with steep sections and narrow parts. The road has a few rocky parts and a 4x4 vehicle is required.
How long is the road to Victòria Mine?
The road to the mine is 15.3 km long, running from Bossòst to Arres de Sus.
Is the road to Victòria Mine open year-round?
Set high in the Pyrenees mountains, the road tops out at 1.600m (5,249 ft) above sea level. It features a moderate risk of rockfalls. While the road is open year-round, winter snowfalls are common.