Mountain walking holidays in the Pyrenees

French Pyrenees - Medium / High Level Walks

8 Days Medium to high level Day walks on ridges and summits.

The French Pyrenees provide a continuous barrier between France and Spain stretching out in a West - East direction for 240 miles from the Atlantic coast at Bayonne to the Mediterranean coast at Perpignan. The north side of the mountain range is cleft by deep valleys, most of them going in a north-south direction. The climate is hot, with a lot of rain at the Atlantic end of the range and very little at the Mediterranean end.

Because of the rain, the western mountains have plenty of vegetation, making them very picturesque. The mountains get progressively barer and more rugged as you go eastward towards the Mediterranean in stark contrast to the Spanish southern side of the range, where they are dry and barren along their entire length.

The North side of the Pyrenees is watered by some large rivers, most notably, the Garonne, the Gave de Pau and the Ariège and the mountains are forested up to a certain altitude, giving way to 'alpine' meadows before bare rock is reached at the highest points.

Our trip is based at a mountain lodge in La Feniere near Luchon in the central Pyrenees with excellent access to mountain walking, where we provide a flexible approach offering five different day walks including ridges and summits at lower altitude, plus excursions into the high peaks in the shadow of Pico Aneto (the range's highest peak) where you will discover glacial lakes and more rugged terrain.

This excursion combines superb graded mountain walking in a spectacular part of the French Pyrenees and is easily manageable with a reasonable level of fitness. For those with previous mountain walking experience such as in the Lake District or Snowdonia this is an ideal holiday choice that will take you up a level to a higher altitude.

What's included

  • Experienced International Mountain Leader 1:6 ratio
  • 7 nights Dormitory accommodation or twin-share hotel - breakfast and dinner
  • Local road transport at start and end of walks
  • Single group transfers from/to Toulouse Airport
  • Discount outdoor clothing voucher for Cotswold Outdoor and Montane

What's not included

  • Flights
  • Personal expenses, lunch, daytime snacks and drinks
  • Travel insurance

ITINERARY

Day 1 Fly to Toulouse and transfer to your hotel followed by trip briefing from our Guide.
Day 2 Guided day walk
Day 3 Guided day walk
Day 4 Guided day walk
Day 5 Free day with optional activities - kayaking or a visit to the thermal baths at Luchon.
Day 6 Guided walk
Day 7 Guided walk
Day 8 Depart after breakfast for transfer to Toulouse Airport and flight home.

RESERVATIONS

Availability May to September
Spaces 12
Reservations Please call or email to check latest availability
Comments This trip provides moderate to challenging walking amidst spectacular scenery on well made trails as well as some rugged terrain at higher altitude in a majestic location. The Pyrennes offers relaxing walking in a tranquil setting and is ideal for those who do not want the hussle and bussle of the more popular locations in the Alps.
 
 

INFORMATION

  • Suitability: Adult Group

  • Difficulty: Moderate / hard

  • Group size: 6-12

DATES AND PRICES

May to September: From €899

French Pyrenees Walking Holidays

Pic du Midi

Refugio Serradets

Cirque de Gavarnie