Enjoy the flexibility of a self guided walking holiday.

Return to the comfort of your hotel or cottage after each day’s walking

Great views without quite so much climb!!

See fabulous wildlife: eagles, griffon vulture, marmottes, isard and more.

Between the high peaks above and the agricultural valleys below are many beautiful mountain and hill walks. Some of the best views of the Pyrenees can be seen from paths that cross the mountains at quite moderate altitudes (between 2000 - 2600 metres). This week of walks uses various paths through the National Park of the Pyrenees, like the famous GR10 route, where you will find an ever changing landscape of forests, lakes, waterfalls, rocky peaks and glaciers. Our Middle Mountain notes help you find the way and also focus on the flora and fauna that you will come across as you walk. On these routes you may well see some rare birds and plants as well as places of cultural and historical interest.

There is additional flexibility in the choice of accommodation with this holiday. You can choose between self catering, b & b, half board at a hotel in the centre of Luz Saint Sauveur. Have a look at the relevant accommodation web pages on this site or get in touch with Wendy for more details about the different houses, flats and hotels available.

This package is ideal for customising to your walking ambitions so feel free to contact us to discuss any possible changes. Perhaps you want a shorter trip, or even more days in local villages but not so much walking? Or there is always the option of spending a night or two in a refuge and perhaps walking into Spain. Pyrenean Mountain Tours will help you to plan your preferred independent walking trip. Because of the need to get to the start of walks, we recommend that people on this holiday hire a car. This is included in the price.

HOLIDAY ITINERARY

DAY 1 - Fly to Pau Pyrenees
The best way to get to the Pyrenees is on a Ryanair schedule to Pau. Pick up your hire car at the airport and drive to our base in Luz Saint Sauveur where you will be met by one of our staff. Once you have settled into your accommodation, we will discuss the possible routes with maps and help you to decide which walks you wish to do. Below are six possibilities. There are of course many others, but we have chosen the ones below because they offer tremendous variety.

The Aygues Cluses Valley
This walk serves as a good warm up day and takes you into the heart of the Neouvielle Nature Reserve. You follow the GR10 from the Pont Gaubie up to the little Aygues Cluses mountain hut. There is an abundance of wild flowers on this walk.

The Lac de Gaube and the Pont d'Espagne
This lovely walk starts below the thermes in Cauterets. You walk along a dramatic path, passing 30 or more waterfalls before reaching the Victorian cafe at the Pont d’Espagne. A further loop takes youto the lovely blue Lac de Gaube. Go even further and your glimpse the north face of the Vignemale.


Plateau Saugué
The walk to the Saugué ends with dramatic views of the Cirque of Gavarnie and the Breche de Roland. The walk is a little longer and harder than the previous days but well worth the effort. The Breche de Roland is a place of legend and mystery.

The Cirque of Gavarnie
Probably the most famous place in the whole of the Pyrenees. This is a spectacular walk to the the heart of the cirque and its 426 metre waterfall. This walk can be busy so avoid the weekends if you want to miss the crowds. However we can indicate a much lesser known way into the Cirque.

The Cirque of Troumousse
The biggest limestone cirque in Europe - 14 kilometres wide. This walk takes you on a circular route around the base of the towering mountains that form the rim of the Troumousse. Visit the tiny church in Heas on your way back.

Viscos to Artalens
The two villages of Viscos and Artalens are linked by a series of old mule tracks and secluded footpaths through the forests in the Luz valley. This walk is about 13 kilometres but is fairly flat. Views are tremendous, paths are wild. You are unlikely to meet other walkers. We collect you at the end of this walk and take you back to your car.

The Lac d'Estom
Lac d'Estom or Refuge Russell. This walk takes you into the wild Lutour valley with a choice of routes up to a lake or little mountain hut. A great day out for picnics.

DAY 8 - Fly back to London
You drive your hire car back to Pau Airport or Lourdes SNCF to connect with transport back home.

Alternative Routes: There are many other routes and you will find that the route markings on the French IGN maps are in general very accurate. We have a number of guide books (in French and English) that we can lend to you to discover more about the area.

Please Note: All the above routes are weather dependent. In case of difficult conditions Pyrenean Mountain Tours staff will advise you on appropriate route choice.

EQUIPMENT AND PACKING IDEAS
Attention needs to be given to the possible effects of sun and dehydration and you must carry plenty of water and sunscreen. We recommend that people joining this trek are equipped with the following:

Technical equipment
Comfortable Walking Boots (2 or 3season)
Walking pole if you like them

Clothing suggestions
Fleece
Waterproof jacket
Waterproof over trousers
Sun hat or peaked cap
Sunglasses
Shorts and T-shirts
Good quality walking socks

Other items
Map set
A small rucksack
Sun block for face and lips
Personal First Aid kit (plasters,compede, paracetamol)
Water bottle or Platypus
Penknife