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The Hidden Spanish Pyrenees : Sierra de Guara

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

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

June to September

Hot off the presses.  "Church bells tolling far down in the valley, accompanied by the tinkling of much smaller replicas dangling from the throats of sheep grazing upslope, and the gurgling of a nearby stream--sounds of the GR10, the hiking trail stretching across the southern border of France through the Pyrenees from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. And, in early June, the visuals rival the auditory-- a centuries-old sheepherder’s stone refuge in the high alpine valley surrounded by indigo blue gentians, bright yellow buttercups and remnants of winter snow. This trail is a trekker’s dream, regardless of your approach to a hiking holiday."  For more of this vivid and inviting blog post by one of our Peaks and Valleys guests go to Switchback Travel.

Trip Overview

In this self-guided point-to-point hiking trip you stay at three hotels and have a choice of two walks each day 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 meters.  Another nice feature of this adventure is that, while it is a point-to-point hiking trip, you also are able to relax a bit while spending two or three nights at each location enjoying local hikes.

Itinerary

Day 1:  Arrival in Asté

You'll be picked up at the Tarbe Train Station and transferred to the hostellerie in Asté. It is a traditional hotel with a friendly and relaxed atmosphere 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 kilometers south of Bagnères-de-Bigorre.

Overnight in Asté

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.

Note: snow can linger on the high passes in June, which can affect today's walk as it may involve a longer drive around to the start of today's hike if the Col du Tourmalet is closed.

Overnight at Barèges

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 hike passes through a beech forest above the Bastan valley and then picks up the famous GR10 long distance path for the descent to Luz. 

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

Overnight at Luz St. Saveur

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 hike similar to the moderate option, but including two viewpoints.

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

Second night at Luz St. Saveur

Day 7: Day hike at Gavarnie

Catch the bus from Luz to Gavarnie where there are a several circular walks possible. Departures at 09h10 from Luz. Cost 12 € round trip and is paid on the 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 moderate option but with some extra ascent 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 (5:45 p.m.) during the school year and 18h30 (6:30 p.m.) in July and August.

Third night at Luz St. Saveur

Day 8:  

Taxi from the train station at Lourdes.

2012 Land Cost and Inclusions

1 - 3 people:  $1,620 USD per person double occupancy

4 people: $1575 USD per person double occupancy

5 people: $1545 USD per person double occupancy

6 people: $1523 USD per person double occupancy

7 people: $1508 USD per person double occupancy

8 people: $1500 USD per person double occupancy

$360 USD single supplement

$500 USD deposit per person; final payment due 90 days before departure.

Additional costs apply if arrival or departure on Sunday or public holidays when taxi charges for transfer or baggage shuttles are higher.   Rates also subject to extreme exchange rate fluctuations:  while it is unlikely that we will change our prices due to exchange rate fluctuations, we do reserve the right to raise (or lower) the price.  If this is the case we will notify you of this and the change will be reflected in your final invoice, which will be sent to you approximately 100 days before trip departure.

Included in cost:

• Detailed route notes and maps for all suggested hikes
• Taxi from Tarbes Train Station to the hotel in Asté
• Guest briefing at hotel the first evening
• Seven nights accommodation in two star (four nights) and three star (three nights) hotels
• Seven nights half board (breakfast and dinner)
• Transport from Asté to Pont de la Gaubie or Barèges
• Baggage transfers on hotel transfer days
• Taxi from the hotel in Luz St. Saveur to the Lourdes Train Station
• 24 emergency contact telephone numbers (land line and mobile phone)
• Last night check-in telephone call to guests
• All routes checked annually to assess accuracy of route descriptions
• All hotel rooms have en suite (in room) bathroom with shower or tub
• Comprehensive Trip Planner with packing lists, route descriptions, connecting information, where to have or purchse lunch during hikes, reading lists, cultural/historic information
• Pre-trip email and telephone consultation as required

Not included in cost:

• Air travel
• Travel to the Tarbes Train Station at the beginning of the trip and from the Lourdes Train Station at the end of the trip
• Lunches and snacks
• The bus to/from Gavarnie on day 7 (12 € round trip)
• Beverages with dinner and non-included breakfast or dinner items
• Travel insurance
• Items of a personal nature
• Anything not included in the above "included in cost" list

Cancellation Policy

If it becomes necessary to cancel your trip, the following schedule applies and is determined by the day that we receive written notification:

• >90 days prior to the trip: you will be charged $100/person
• 90-61days prior to the trip start: you will be charged 25% of the trip price
• 60-46 days prior to the trip start: you will be charged 50% of the trip price
• <46 days prior to the trip start: you will be charged 100% of the trip price

We strongly recommend that you purchase Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance.  Please make sure that your policy includes mountain rescue.  Information on travel insurance is located at http://www.bredeson.com/outdoor_adventures/forms.html. 

For Additional Information and to Sign Up

Please contact Deborah Lewis at 866-533-4361 (toll free in the U.S.), 203-840-0295 or dlewis@bredeson.com with any questions.  To sign up for this trip, please follow the steps identified on our web site at http://www.bredeson.com/outdoor_adventures/forms.html. 

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