Walking
Tours in the Pyrenees:
In
the far south west of France the Pyrenees mountain range forms the
border with Spain and its Catalonia, Aragon, Navarre and Vasco regions.
Many of the walking tours in the Pyrenees are fairly demanding though
some could be classed as moderate.
French
entry:
Fly to Toulouse, then travel southwest via Cauterets or for an Atlantic
base keep going through Pau and Bayonne. For a Mediterranean start head south east through Perpignan.
The super efficient French TGV train system also goes all the way
down to Pau and buses are available to the border.Spanish
entry:
Travel to Bilbao on the Atlantic coast or
to Barcelona on the Mediterranean coast.
Wildlife:
this an important region for wildlife, especially raptors [birds
of prey]. Some possible wild sights are:
Isard [Pyrenean Chamois - a goat], Marmots [a large whistling rodent],
Brown Bears [there are only a handful left here, you'd be lucky
to see one], the Desmond [a bizarre mole like creature with webbed
feet], the Lammergaier or Bearded Vulture - with a three metre wingspan,
the Griffon Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Peregrine Falcon and the
Golden Eagle.
Where
to go walking in the Pyrenees:
France or Spain? You don't have to split the range into two separate
country destinations.
Come and go as you please between the two, taking in the places
you wish too see on either side of the border, but if limited for
time you may need to choose one or the other.
France:
The French section
offers some particularly beautiful routes within the Parc National des Pyrenees.
The entrance to the park is usually via Cauterets, a large town
right on the edge of the park and ideally located as a base to sample
the park's best attractions.
There are six major valleys in the park each with a unique look
and for those not staying at towns or villages there are many 'refuges'
set up for overnight stays in the most popular areas.
Popular
hiking tours in the Parc National include:
Cirque of Gavarnie - a world heritage site with a spectacular 1,000
ft waterfall reached after a couple of hours of walking from the
village of Gavarnie.
The
route to the nearby crater Cirque de Troumouse is a visual feast.
Lac du Gaube lake - an exceptionally 'blue' and aesthetically pleasing
lake with an impressive mountains backdrop.
Pont
d'Espagne 'Bridge to Spain' and the Marcadau Valley - a large pine
filled valley below the Lac du Gaube with some superb mountain views
and many routes to the best Pyrenean lakes.
Ossau
Valley - one of the more beautiful valleys below Pau and near the
Cirque of Gavarnie.
Grotte de Niaux cave - prehistoric cave paintings of animals and
other things that stone age man liked to club.
Grottes de Betharram - caves full of interesting water formed wierdness
such as stalactites and stalagmites.
Lourdes - a historically important religious mecca for those Christians
who wish to visit the Grotto of Massabielle and follow in the footsteps
of young Bernadette seeking peace or revelation.
Spain: the Spanish side of the Pyrenees generally gets better weather, is less populated
and the splendid city of Barcelona is nearby.
Aigues Tortes 'Twisted Waters' National Park - using Espot as a base
you can travel to this spectacular mountain area using the four wheel
drive taxi service. This is one of the most beautiful areas in the
Pyrenees and certainly the best on the Spanish side.
Ordesa National Park - another good park but the thick forest reduces
opportunities for grand views from the valley floor - unless you take
a route overlooking it. Torla is a base for trips into the park.
Andorra - buy stuff without sales tax in Andorra La Vella, then move
on but beware the customs man.
Long
Distance Routes:
Haute Route des Pyreneene - Frederic Parrot of France was the
first person known to have walked the length of the range along
the high border region in 1817, taking around 53 days. This formed
the basis for what is now known as the HRP, by far the most challenging
of the two routes on the French side.
Chemin de Grande Randonnee - the less demanding lower level route
on the French side is the GR10, with more moderate altitudes
and regular access to food and clean water.
Senda Pirenaica - also known as the GR11, this is the Spanish equivalent
of the Chemin de Grande Randonnee.
The famous old pilgrimage path known as the Way of St James or Camino de Santiago usually criss-crosses the Pyrenees. The most popular route is called the French Way and begins in France at Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, travels to Roncesvalles in Spain and continues on to Santiago de Compostela through the cities of Pamplona, Logroño, Burgos and León.
Vermilion Coast - Self Guided Walk:
This 5 day hike from Collioure in eastern France to Cadaques in Spain offers well-defined trails and spectacular scenery. Discover sleepy ports, secluded coves, terraced vineyards and stone-walled herb farms as you walk from village to village, sampling regional seafood and wine along the way. Mallorcan kings, Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso were all fond of the Vermillion Coast so take their lead and find a place in the sun. [An 8 day route is also available]
Camino de Santiago:
On this 8 day hike [5 and 11 day routes also available] from Villafranca del Bierzo to Santiago de Compostela you will walk in the footsteps of pilgrims, see spectacular views from the Galician hills, delight in medieval villages along the pilgrim route, visit ancient churches, see the legendary tomb of St James the Apostle, travel the untamed hills of northern Spain and learn pagan and religious legends.
Pyrenees on foot:
On this one-week walking from our two bases in the Pyrenees we hike through lush forests and ancient villages exploring the remote Aigues Tortes National Park
Camino de Santiago:
This 12 day hiking tour includes exploring the medieval cities of Burgos and Leon, walking the most interesting and beautiful sections of the Way of St James while enjoying good local food and wine en route.
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