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The Hidden Spanish Pyrenees: Sierra de Guara

A World Heritage Site Hike: The French and Spanish Pyrenees

Peaks and Valleys: Self-Guided Hike in the French Pyrenees

The Meridian Way: Self-Guided Hike in the French Pyrenees

June to September

Trip Overview

The trip is an eight-day point to point trek following the Meridian Way, a route that roughly follows the International Greenwich Meridian through the French département of the Hautes Pyrénées. We pick up the route at the town of Lourdes in the north of the department and then wend our way southwards to Gavarnie.  The walks are mainly on good paths and tracks with no scrambling. We start in the foothills and the adventure builds up to a climax at Gavarnie in the heart of the mountains. There we have the opportunity to explore the World Heritage site of the Cirque de Gavarnie a spectacular amphitheatre of peaks rising to over 3000 metres. The approximate route, which includes part of the famous long distance path the GR10, is marked in purple on the map below.

Itinerary

Day 1:

Joining point at the hotel in Lourdes with a chance to have a look around the town in the evening.

Day 2:

From Lourdes to Argelès-Gazost. We take the funicular railway from the outskirts of Lourdes to the summit of the Pic du Jer (890 m) where there are excellent views looking back over the town. From the summit we follow a network of paths and tracks above the East side of the main river, the Gave de Pau, before dropping down to the attractive spa town of Argelès-Gazost. Approx. 18 km and 350 m ascent, 5 hours walking.

Day 3:

From Argelès-Gazost (420 m) we climb up old shepherds' paths to the picturesque village St Savin where there is a 12th Century abbey church. We continue along the valley side before dropping down to Pierrefitte Nestalas. From here, to avoid walking along the road, which follows the narrow gorge, we take the scheduled bus to Luz St Sauveur with time to visit the town and fortified "Templar" church in the afternoon. Approx. 12 km, 480 m and 4 hours walking.  By getting off the bus about 4 kms before Luz St Sauveur it is possible to include an additional hour of walking along green lanes and quiet roads with great views of the mountains ahead.

Day 4:

A whole day at Luz St Sauveur with the choice of a rest day or a walk to explore the magnificent Bastan valley to the East of the town.                                

Day 5:

Luz to Gèdre (1000 m) mainly following the GR 10. Gèdre is a small village in a magnificent location with soaring mountains on three sides. Approx. 15 km, 650 m and 5 hours of walking.

Day 6:

Gèdre to Gavarnie (1400 m). Heading south from the village we can approach Gavarnie via footpaths over grazing land. In case of bad weather or snow on the ground we can use an alternative route, which although it is half on tarmac it is not a through road so has very little traffic and has spectacular views.  Approx.  15 km, 800 m and 5 hours walking.

Day 7:

Day walk at Gavarnie either to visit the Cirque de Gavarnie or, with some transport and suitable conditions, visit the Col des Tentes (2208 m) and walk back to the village. Second night at Gavarnie.

Day 8:

Return by bus to Lourdes.

Land Cost

1 - 3 people:  $1,650 per person double occupancy.  $300 single supplement.

Lower rates available for larger groups

For Additional Information

Please contact Deborah Lewis at 866-533-4361 (toll free in the U.S.), 203-840-0295 or dlewis@bredeson.com.

We hope you'll join us on this grand adventure!

Contact us toll free (U.S.) at 866-533-4361 or

+203-840-0295 (outside the U.S.)

info@bredeson.com