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The Hidden Spanish Pyrenees : Sierra de Guara

A World Heritage Site Hike: The French and Spanish Pyrenees

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

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

June to September

Trip Overview

In this self-guided point-to-point hiking trip you stay at three hotels and have a choice of two walks ech days as you explore the southern part of the Hautes Pyrénées. The walks are mainly on good paths and tracks with no scrambling. The trip starts in the foothills and builds up to a climax at Gavarnie in the heart of the mountains. The final day allows an opportunity to explore the World Heritage site of the Cirque de Gavarnie, a spectacular amphitheatre of peaks rising to over 3000 metres.

Itinerary

Day 1:  Hostellerie d'Asté

Arrive at the Hostellerie d'Asté, which we have been using since 1996. It is a traditional 2* hotel with a friendly and relaxed atmosphere and has 21 bedrooms and an excellent restaurant. Set in spacious grounds by the river Adour it is on the edge of Asté, a small village in the main valley, 3 kilometres south of Bagnères-de-Bigorre. The owners, Chantal and Guy Peyseré, and their staff always look after our groups with special care. Guy, who is in charge of the kitchen, is a member of "Les Tables du Lys Bigourdan" a local organization dedicated to culinary excellence.

Day 2: A circular day walk from Asté.

Moderate: Initially following the river to the village of Beaudean, the route then wends it way into the hills overlooking the Adour valley and leads to the summit of Le Petit Monné (1170m) where the views are magnificent. The return route passes close to Bagneres de Bigorre that could be visited as an extension to the main itinerary.

Approx. 18 km, 700m ascent, 700m descent, 5 ½ hours walking.

Strenuous: Passing through the village of Asté then ascending through beech forest in a limestone gorge to reach open grazing land above from where the final ascent leads to the summit of the Casque du Lhéris (1595 m) above limestone cliffs falling away 200 metres. Return via the attractive village of Campan.

Approx. 20 km, 1000m ascent, 1000m descent, 6 hrs walking time.

Second night at Asté.

Day 3:  Asté/Barèges

Moderate: Using the same taxi that will take the baggage to the next hotel at Barèges, get a lift to the Col du Tourmalet (2115m), one of the most famous Tour de France mountain passes, and then on to the drop off point at the Pont de la Gaubie (1540m). From here the route follows the GR10 up the magnificent Aygues-Cluses valley to a shepherd’s hut by the Coueyla Gran lake. The route then returns to the Pont de la Gaubie before continuing on the GR10 to Barèges.

Approx. 16 km, 690m ascent, 1000m descent, 5 hrs walking time.

Strenuous: Using the same taxi that will take the baggage to Barèges, get a lift over the Col du Tourmalet to the Pont de la Gaubie (1540m). From here the route follows the GR10 up the magnificent Aygues-Cluses valley to a series of lakes set in a granite landscape. At the Lac de Madamettes (2300m) the route returns to the Pont de la Gaubie before continuing on the GR10 to Barèges.

Approx. 19km, 750 m ascent, 1050m descent, 6 ½ hours walking - with option of extra hour above the Lac de Madamettes.

Day 4: A circular walk from Barèges

Moderate: A gentle walk to explore the pastureland and beech forest above the Bastan valley with a section on the famous long distance path the GR10. 

Approx. 14 km, 400 m ascent, 400m descent, 4 hrs walking.

Strenuous: Explore the Montagne Fleurie high above the village of Barèges with a circular walk.

Approx. 15 kms, 800 m ascent, 800m descent, 5 hrs walking.

Second night at Barèges.

Day 5: Barèges/Luz St. Sauveur

Moderate: The route down the valley starts with a traverse out to a promontory with stunning views and then wends down through a series of charming villages and then past a castle into the town of Luz.

Approx.12 km, 250m ascent, 770m descent, 3 ½ hrs.

Strenuous: From Barèges the walk passes through a beech forest above the Bastan valley and then picks up the famous long distance path the GR10 for the descent to Luz. 

Approx. 15 km, 450 m ascent, 970m descent and 5 hours of walking.

Day 6: A circular walk from Luz

Moderate: A chance to visit some of the charming mountain villages of the area knon as the Pays Toy. The walk passes through the villages of Vizos, Saligos and Sazos before returning via the impressive Pont Napoléon.

Approx. 15 kms, 700 m ascent, 700m descent, 4 ½ hrs walking.

Strenuous: A similar walk to the Moderate but including two viewpoints.

Approx. 17 km, 860m ascent, 860m descent, 5 hrs.

Day 7: Day walk at Gavarnie

Catch the bus from Luz to Gavarnie where there are a several circular walks possible. Departures at 09h10 from Luz. Cost 12 € return, pay on bus.

Moderate: The route takes in the slopes on both sides of the valley and goes right up to the Cirque de Gavarnie.

Approx. 13 kms, 590m ascent, 590m decent, 4 ½ hrs

           or 14kms, 760 m ascent, 760m descent, 5 hrs.

Strenuous: A similar walk to the 2 boot route but with some extra climb and time in the afternoon to linger longer in the magnificent scenery.

Approx. 18 km, 930m ascent, 930m descent, 5 ½ hrs.

Return bus to Luz. Departures at 17h45 during school time and 18h30 in July & August.

Day 8:  

Leave Luz St. Sauveur

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