Arinsal Hosts Sixth Pitavola Mountain Market Celebrating Comapedrosa Park Anniversary

Arinsal will host the sixth edition of Pitavola, the Pyrenees mountain market, this weekend to celebrate the anniversary of the Comapedrosa Valleys Communal Natural Park. The event fills the village's old quarter with local traditions, gastronomy, crafts, nature experiences, and family-friendly pursuits.

The programme begins at 11.30am at the park entrance near the Pollós river, where officials will unveil a new ermine sculpture. It will complete an artistic trail around Arinsal featuring the ptarmigan, capercaillie, chamois, dipper, and alpine newt, with the ermine addition set for 3 October. A related Instagram photography contest invites participants to post images of the Comapedrosa sculptures, tagging @visitlamassana.

In the telecabina car park, visitors can observe the full charcoal-making process, from building and lighting a kiln to harvesting the charcoal—a traditional Pyrenean craft. A second, open kiln nearby will offer educational insights into its operation. The same location hosts a livestock display with six farmers showcasing cows, calves, mares, horses, and sheep to highlight the role of pastoralism in the region. The Esbart de les Valls del Nord folk dance group will perform there on Saturday morning.

The market features 22 stalls with Andorran and Pyrenean crafts and foods from Catalan and French areas. A expanded "street of trades" showcases seven artisans at work.

La Massana's Starlight destination and reserve status underpins astronomy activities, including a planetarium and evening stargazing.

The lineup also covers guided outings for all ages, fauna discovery, orienteering, mycology sessions, live music, and a tapa route with a dozen Arinsal eateries. A tourist minitrain connects the village to the park entrance all weekend.

Bookings for guided activities, workshops, and the planetarium are mandatory via the La Massana + app at €2, which provides a matching voucher for the tapa route.