Guided walking holidays in the Pyrenees
GR10 / High Level Route
The French Pyrenees are a mountain walker’s delight with the chance to get deep into the heart of the mountains. In places there are cool forests and sparkling tarns set in welcoming greensward. In other areas you come close to awe-inspiring rock peaks and gleaming snowfields, and there are summits which can be reached with a little effort
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 | A journey through the Pyrenees usually involves lots of nights in huts, or possibly camping, but this Pathways guided walking trip has been designed to show you some of the highlights of the area while combining this with comfortable accommodation on most nights. It combines part of the GR10 route with part of the High Level route to give a satisfying introduction to these mountains.
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This journey starts in the beautifully situated village of Lescun, with an ascent of the Pic d’Anie (2,504m). We then follow the classic GR10 trail for several days past the stunning Pic du Midi and the ski station of Gourette to arrive in the pleasant town of Cauterets. From here, after a rest day, we follow the High Level Route past the Vignemale to the Cirque de Gavarnie and the Cirque de Troumouse, finishing our trek in the mountain splendour of Barroude.
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You will need to carry personal equipment, clothes and lunches for two days while staying in the two Refuges but you will not need to carry any camping, cooking or sleeping gear. On other days your bags will be waiting for you at the accommodation.
Meals are provided on a half-board basis. You can purchase food for lunches from village shops as we go along, or buy a packed lunch from the hotels. There are no other costs apart from drinks and personal snacks.
Arrival is on Saturday at Lescun. Transfer can be arranged from Pau.
Ryanair flights are from Stansted to Pau (06.20 arriving )
Day 1 (Saturday): Arrive in the delightful mountain village of Lescun . Hotel accommodation
Day 2 (Sunday): Ascent of Pic d’Anie (2,504m) a straightforward walk to a superb limestone summit. Hotel accommodation
Day 3 (Monday): A fairly short day’s walk across low ridges from Lescun to Etsaut.
Hotel accommodation
Day 4 (Tuesday): A wonderful, exciting walk from Etsaut along the spectacular Chemin de la Mature, then descending with inspiring views of the Pic du Midi (2,884m) to Gabas
Hotel accommodation
Day 5 (Wednesday): A long day from Gabas crossing the Hourquette d’Arre (2,465m) Gourette
Hotel accommodation
Day 6 (Thursday): An easier day mainly downhill after lunch from Gourette to Arrens.
Hotel accommodation
Day 7 (Friday):We take a Taxi ride to Estaing to shorten this long day and avoid a road section, then climb over,the Col d’Ilheou (2,242m) to descend to Cauterets. Hotel accommodation
Day 8 (Saturday) Rest day in this delightful spa and ski resort. Hotel accommodation
Day 9 (Sunday): Cauterets – Baysellance. A walk past the beauty spot of Lac de Gaube, with views of the Vignemale drawing us on. A steep climb to the Hourquette d’Ossoue and the highest hut in the Pyrenees. Afternoon ascent of the Petit Vignemale (3,032m) Refuge Baysellance (2,700m)
Day 10 (Monday): Baysellance – Gavarnie (the Petit Vignemale can be ascended if not done the day before) We descend the long Vallée d'Ossoue past the snout of the Vignemale glacier and Russell's caves to overnight in Gavarnie. Hotel accommodation
Day 11 (Tuesday): Ascent of Taillon (3144m). A taxi ride to the Port de Boucharo and then the climb to the Brèche de Roland, an impressive notch in the frontier ridge. This involves crossing snow patches and some awkward scree. From here we should have time to climb the Taillon (3144m.) before returning past the Refuge de la Brèche and down to the Port de Boucharo, to meet transport back to the hotel. Hotel accommodation
Day 12 (Wednesday): A steady climb leads over the Hourquette d'Alans (2420m.) and into the Cirque d'Estaubé. We continue past the Lac des Gloriettes to Héas. Basic hotel accommodation.
Day13 (Thursday): A long but rewarding day, walking up into the wild, massive Cirque de Troumouse, then crossing the Hourquette de Héas (2606m.) before dropping down to the Refuge de Barroude, sheltered beneath its mountain wall. Refuge de Barroude
Day 14 (Friday): An optional ascent onto the frontier ridge, followed by a straightforward walk out down the Vallon de la Géla to meet transport back to our hotel in Pau. Hotel accommodation
Day 15 (Saturday): Return flights from Pau
(Ryanair 09.40
Weather: In the Pyrenees in August the weather is normally fairly hot and rain usually passes away quickly. The main problems are heat and dehydration, although, because we are at altitude, the atmosphere is usually quite pleasant. There are often storms in the evening, and temperature inversions are frequent. It can be cool around huts in the evening, when a lightweight fleece is recommended.
Grade and terrain (Grade C) This trip offers an ideal opportunity for regular hill-walkers to reach some high summits without needing to cross glaciers or undertake difficult climbs. Paths are generally good, although steep and bouldery in places, and snow patches may have to be crossed. Ice-axes are not required, but walking poles can be very useful. Where there are long ascents or descents, they are generally well-graded.
Accommodation and meals: Overnight accommodation is in simple but comfortable hotels. Two nights are spent in remote mountain refuges.Three course evening meals are provided on each night, with a continental breakfast in the morning.
On arrival at our hotels, you will find your bags waiting for you.
Daily Routine: We normally breakfast between 7.30 and 8.00 a.m. When staying at hotels we ask you to bring your bags down for the driver to collect. We suggest that you bring just one bag each, preferably of the soft "sports" style, as these are easier than suitcases to load into the vehicle.
We set off around 8.00 a.m. and walk for about an hour, when we stop for a short break. Then we continue until lunch, which is usually at a viewpoint, by a stream or some other pleasant spot. Other breaks are taken as required, and we generally arrive at our accommodation between 3 and 5p.m.
Dinner is usually between 7.30 – 8.00p.pm. We ask that you pay for any personal drinks the same night.
Equipment List:
Walking boots, lightweight, supportive and comfortable.
Rucksack (40-50 litres).
Waterproofs, preferably fairly light.
Sunhat.
Fleece gloves or similar.
Lightweight fleece.
Long trousers or tracksuit bottoms (lightweight polycotton or microfibre etc.)
Shorts
Shirts (incl. one long-sleeved) Underwear.
Walking socks. Sandals or light footwear (for evenings.)
Swimming costume.
Water-bottle (at least 2 litres – you will need to drink at least this amount during the day).
Trail food e.g. cereal bars, nuts & raisins, dried fruit.
Sun cream.
First-aid kit (including blister treatment!)
Water purifying tablets (in case you need to collect water from streams etc. – unlikely!)
Washbag (sample size toothpaste etc.)
Small Towel (for hut nights).
Toilet paper. Torch and batteries.
Sleeping bag liner (for huts).
Poly bags (useful for food, dirty clothes, maps etc.)
You may want to bring:
Camera
Binoculars.
Flower book
Alarm clock.
Walking poles (highly recommended for snow patches, stream crossings and general support.)
Ear plugs for dormitories!
Maps: IGN 1:50000: Carte de Randonnées Nos. 3 and 4 (Pyrenees).
IGN 1:25000: Ossau 1547 OT; Vignemale 1647 OT; Gavarnie 1748 OT; St. Lary 1748 ET
Dates: August 2011
Cost: £1,095 (Land only)
(Ryanair fly London Stansted – Pau)