Walking in the Pyrenees

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dontlookdown

Original Poster:

1,912 posts

99 months

Tuesday 19th March
quotequote all
OH and I fancy a week or so walking in the Pyrenees this year. Day walks ca 10 miles or so, hilly is fine but we aren't mountaineers.

Not after guided walks, prefer to DIY. Don't know the region at all, any ideas on good spots and places to base ourselves? Happy to be on Spanish or French side. Or both;)

Bill

53,917 posts

261 months

Tuesday 19th March
quotequote all
Worth looking back through the last few pages here as there's been some chat fairly recently IIRC: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

My suggestion was here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/rwW4USkTqzN3LdVq5 Lots of day walks or hut to hut multi day efforts.

blue_haddock

3,702 posts

73 months

Tuesday 19th March
quotequote all
i've not actually done any walks around there yet but the area around Saillagouse and Bourg Madam is really nice and its on a bit of a plateau so no mountaineering required.

Your also close to andorra where there are some great walks although quite a bit hillier.

hairy v

1,277 posts

150 months

Tuesday 19th March
quotequote all
We got an AirBNB in Argelès-Gazost in 2022.

There are lots of good walks with fantastic scenery in the area e.g. Lac du Gaube, Cirque de Gavarnie, Vallée du Soussouéou.

smifffymoto

4,728 posts

211 months

Tuesday 19th March
quotequote all
Ariege is fantastic,stay around Seix or Ustou or some where in the Bethmal valley.

The walking is challenging but you are rewarded ten fold by the scenery.

Ariege is an often overlooked department and many walkers miss it off their list as it is less developed which is a real shame,the area is very special.

Go before it gets very popular.I guarantee you won’t come home disappointed with the walks.

Edited by smifffymoto on Tuesday 19th March 22:05

Venisonpie

3,509 posts

88 months

Wednesday 20th March
quotequote all
smifffymoto said:
Ariege is fantastic,stay around Seix or Ustou or some where in the Bethmal valley.

The walking is challenging but you are rewarded ten fold by the scenery.

Ariege is an often overlooked department and many walkers miss it off their list as it is less developed which is a real shame,the area is very special.

Go before it gets very popular.I guarantee you won’t come home disappointed with the walks.

Edited by smifffymoto on Tuesday 19th March 22:05
I'm looking to walk in the Pyrenees in September, probably jist 3 or 4 days and this sounds interesting. When you say the walking can be challeging could you expand a bit? Also, can you recommend maps to use? My perception is the routes arenot well marked.

smifffymoto

4,728 posts

211 months

Wednesday 20th March
quotequote all
A good place to start is www.haut-couserans.com

There is the GR 10,hike up Mont Valier,do Cirque de Cagateille or if you are fit,the WW2 escape line from St Giron to Spain(Scott Goodalls book is very good,The Freedom Trail).

I used IGN maps and tourist information. I used to live there so it was my back yard and play ground.

I promise you,if the weather is on your side,it’s some of the best walking anywhere.

Matt..

3,686 posts

195 months

Wednesday 20th March
quotequote all
There are good options around places like Gavarnie and Ordesa NP.