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General Information
From
the village of Lescun, below the Pic d’Anie, to the village of Gavarnie,
encircled by the famous Cirque, this trek in the western and central
Pyrenees traverses practically the entire length of the Pyrenees National
Park.
It is a route through
protected
countryside where wildlife, (such as mountain chamois and Griffon
Vultures) may be seen in its natural
surroundings. For most of this journey we pass amidst the soaring
peaks, surging rivers, mountain forests, lakes and pastures of this
magnificently wild region. We have adapted some sections of the High Level
route to allow us vehicle access which eliminates the burden of carrying a
full
pack throughout. Our route is mostly in France, apart from the last
three days when
we cross into Spain through the Breche de Roland, to stay in a
Spanish mountain hut from where we walk through the impressive Ordessa
Canyon.
Grade C- D
Our
route is over the Pyrenean High Level Path and there are some long days:
steep ascents, descents and walks over rough ground.
This would best be enjoyed by those in good physical condition and
with a background of hillwalking and backpacking
experience. The trek is partially supported by vehicle when the use
of a daypack is possible. It will be necessary to carry items and (lunch)
provisions for up to three days on a couple of occasions (weather or other
conditions may influence this) Where ascents of peaks are mentioned, these
do not require any technical mountain experience, but a degree of stamina,
resolve and humour are required.
How the Trekking is Organised
The accommodation
is based essentially on camping, a
Spanish hostal “Refugio” and some mountain refuges. It will be
necessary to carry items needed for more than two days at a time on a
couple of occasions (weather or other conditions may influence this ). A
pack of 50 litres is most suitable for carrying items such as extra
clothing, sheet sleeping bag, washing kit and some communal food mainly
for lunches. Breakfasts and dinners are obtainable at the refuges,
generally good wholesome cooking. Another smaller pack would be preferable
for use as a day pack for the occasions when you are not backpacking.
The
trek is partially vehicle supported as through half
of the holiday we camp, mainly on official sites, with good
facilities including hot showers. On some days the walk may start or
end with a group
vehicle transfer of a few km in a minibus to
link campsites with the start/ends of trails. This is done purely
for your own convenience, but please appreciate that it can take
time if there is a big group.
Spacious
two person tents, kitchen/dining tent, stools, insulation mats and all
necessary cooking equipment provided (including eating utensils) A
detailed list of recommended clothing and personal equipment will be sent
with confirmation of reservation. Although booked in advance, should a
refuge be overcrowded, there are usually tented overflow facilities but we
cannot always guarantee that all refuge nights will be spent in the refuge
structure.
There
are two trekking staff, one who leads the walks and another who drives the
support vehicle carrying your main baggage and camping equipment from site
to site. The support vehicle driver also shops for fresh supplies and does
most of the setting up of camp before you arrive. Participants are,
however, requested to help with food preparation,
washing-up and the dismantling of the camp in the mornings. On some
days due to long
drives, shopping and cooking
it will be difficult for the staff to erect
all the tents and so participants are asked to help if they can.
Food & Accommodation
All
accommodation, breakfasts and picnic lunches are provided throughout the
trek except for lunch on the first & last day as well as the “rest
day” in Cauteret (3 lunches therefore are not provided). A dinner (normally a
three course evening mea) is provided on 9 of the evenings normally at
camp , sometimes at a refuge (drinks
not included). On the 5 other evenings you dine at your own expense
(nights 3,5,in refuges & 9,11,14 in towns). Extra food/snacks (though
at a price) can be bought at the refuges and on the evenings when we eat
out there will be opportunities for you to sample the local cuisine.
Although simple vegetarian cooking is possible in camp, in the refuges
vegetarians should be aware that this rarely goes beyond
an omlete or cheese. So if you do have a strict diet of this
nature, perhaps bring your own protein supplements. We suggest you budget
up to £90 for meals not included (drinks are in addition to this
figure).
Books & Maps
No book exactly
covers our route as we follow in part the Haute Route and GR10 long
distance paths. The following books each describe parts of our sector of
the Pyrenees:
Castle,
A. The Pyrenean Trail GR10. Cicerone Press.
Battagel.
A. Pyrenees west. Gastons-West
Col Publications.
Walking the Pyrenees.
Robertson McCarta footpaths of Europe series. Describes GR10 (days 10, 11
and parts of days 2 and 5 of our trek). Translation from French topo-guide.
Reynolds,
K. Walks and climbs in the Pyrenees.
Cicerone Press.
Veron,
Georges. Pyrenees
high level route. Gastons-West Col Publications.
The
excellent ‘Carte de
Randonnees: Pyrenees’
1:50000 series sheets no 3 Bearn and no 4 Bigorre (published by Randonnees
Pyreneennes) cover almost all the whole itinerary except for a short
section in Spain near the end of the trek which is on the Spanish Alpina
series 1:40000 map Valle de Ordesa-Pirineo Aragones. These maps should be
available from Stanfords in London, but can normally be picked up en
route.
Further Information
The Spanish Tourist office: Tel: 020 7499
0901
Your contact at Sherpa is Jon Millen: 020 8577 2717
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ITINERARY
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The
following itinerary is intended as a
working guide only
and is subject to variation as a result of
weather, local factors and group progress.
We reserve the right to alter (lengthen or shorten) any trek
at any time if necessary. In 2002 some
changes had to be made due to the closure of the
Baysellance hut
for restoration work. If this is the case
in 2003, we have 2 nights instead of one in
Gavarnie, and one longer days walking followed by
a rest day.
1,000m=3,281ft.
1km=.62mls.
Local
time:GMT+1hour
Day
1
Fly UK to Lourdes. Transfer by coach to
Lescun. It is also possible to travel by train
from Paris or London to Lescun
changing at Dax and Puyoo].
Camp overnight near Lescun.
Eat in camp.
Day
2
Ringed by the Cirque de Lescun, a number of
distant and strange looking white peaks, Lescun
offers the
opportunity for a steep walk up the Pic d’Anie
(2,504m), with spectacular views down into Spain
and across to the Pic de Midi d'0ssau. Camp at
Lescun. (6 hrs.) Eat in camp.1200m,10k.
Day
3
We follow the trail to the head of the
valley to the Col
de Pau
(1,942m/6,369ft). Here we join the High Level Path
(Haute Route) and enter the Pyrenees National
Park. Ascending to a high point southeast of Pic
de Burcq andthen,
hugging the frontier, we follow the path
down a grassy ridge to reach the Col de la Cuarde
(1,970m/6,461ft). Crossing the Col de Saoubathou
(1,949m/6,392ft) we pass the Pic Rouge and head
for the lake beside which stands the Refuge
d’Arlet (2,000m/6,560ft). Stay at the
refuge. (6 hrs.) Eat at the refuge at own expense
(but a set meal only).
Day
4 We
cross the high pastures of the Cirque de Banasse
to the Col de Lapachouaou, and descend steeply
into the Espelunguere forest and the valley
bottom. We
ascend steeply through forest to cross the border
ridge at Pas de l’Echelle
(1,775m/5,822ft) and follow the HLP into
Spain past the
Lac d'Estaens. We descend over
open countryside
and then forest back into France and continue down to Sansanet
(1,320m/4,329ft) and then to Urdos where we
camp. (8 hours) Eat in camp. 400m, 13k
Day
5 (A
long day) We climb steadily through the woods from
Urdos, passing the Refuge de Larry, until the Col
d’Ayous reveals the spectacular West Face of the
Pic du Midi. We descend to the Refuge d’Ayous,
then either climb past a series of lakes to lunch
by Lac Bersau and continue under the Pic Casterau,
then descend to the Cabane de Cap de Pount. We
climb finally over boulders to the Col de Peyreget
and descend to the Refuge de Pombie. (10 hrs.) Eat
in at the refuge at own expense (but a set meal
only). 2100m, 18km.
Day
6 A
relaxing early-morning descent from the Refuge to
cross the Gave de Brousset at Soques is followed
by a steady climb up to the Col d’Arrious, from
where we either cross the exposed Passage
d’Orteig or take a somewhat longer route to
reach the Refuge d’Arremoulit and its lakes. (6
hrs.) Eat in at the refuge (set meal only). 800m,
11km.
Day
7
We descend through wild country to skirt the Lac
d’Artouste with its tourist train, then cross
the steep and remote Col d’Artouste and descend
to the 200ft deep Lac de Migouelou. Continue the
descent via a zig zag path and a quiet road to our
camp at the Lac du Tech. (7 hrs.) Eat in camp.
1000m 16km.
Day
8
Walking up the Gave
d’Arrens
we join the HLP just before
Cabane de
Doumblas (1,563m/5,126ft). We continue
upwards, to the Port de la Peyre-Saint-Martin
(2,295m/7,527ft) on the French/Spanish border.
To the east
is the Col de Cambales (2,706m/8,875ft) which is followed by a short,
toughish descent
over scree. A fair distance on is the Refuge
Wallon (1,866m/6,120ft) in the Marcadau valley. A
pleasant walk on a near level path by a
stream brings
us to
Pont d’Espagne (1,496m/6,428ft).
Our constant companion for much of this day is Vignemale
(3,298m/10,817ft), one of the great peaks of the
Pyrenees and towards which we will walk on Day 10.
We head for our campsite at Cauterets eat
at camp. (8 hrs.) 24k.
Day
9
A rest day at Cauterets. The Chamonix of the
Pyrenees? There are plenty of cafes, bars,
restaurants, outdoor shops to amuse you for a day!
Eat out at own expense.
Day
10 We
start at Pont d’Espagne. As we leave the woods
through which the GR10 ascends, we
can see the north face of the Vignemale about
seven kilometres
away at the head of the Gaube valley. We
skirt the lovely
Lac de Gaube and continue ascending
to the Refuge des Oulettes
(2,151m/7,055ft).
Zig-zagging
up over the eastern slopes of the valley,
we pass under the Vignemale, which becomes even
more imposing as we climb to the Hourquette
d’Ossue
(2,784m /9,131ft). Overnight at the Refuge
Baysellence (2,651m/8,695ft).
Day
11
Continue to Gavarnie,: we take the
path leading below the Ossue Glacier and
follow it to the Oulettes
d’Ossue. At the far end of this
stretch of water is
a small
dam (1,834m/6,015ft)
and we take the GR10 path which contours round the
hillside to drop into Gavarnie where we camp in
sight of the
impressive Cirque de Gavarnie .Eat out at
own expense.
Day
12
From Gavarnie we walk up the beautiful
Vallee de Pouey Aspe, climbing steeper and
steeper up to the Port de Gavarnie, where we
re-enter Spain. There now follows a steep descent
down to the old Spanish village of San Nicolas de
Bujaruelo, where we have lunch or a drink at its
ancient stone bridge. We follow the river valley
cross country, with some road walking until we
reach the delightful old town of Torla at the foot of the Ordessa Canyon. Here we
stay in a Refugio with a nice restaurant and
dormitory where dinner is included
(6 hours)
Day
13
From Torla
we tend to take a bus into the Ordessa Canyon for
a hike climbing high around the edge of
the gorge through
scented pine forest and
eventually over limestone plateau until we
descend into the Canyon at its top end by some
charming waterfalls
with sheer rock faces towering thousands of
feet above. We can follow the gorge for its
entire length, ending on a quiet path through pine
woods and a track back to Torla where dinner is
included at the Refugio.(6 hours or so)
Day
14
Leaving Torla we take transport back up
the river valley to
San Nicolas
de Bujaruelo. We recross the ancient bridge
and undertake the steep climb up to Port de
Boucharo, where we re-enter France. We now ascend
the Pyrenees high Level route footpath to
the Refuge De Breche for lunch (depending
on weather), from where depending on the time,
good weather and with a strong group it should
be possible to climb up to the Breche de
Roland
and look back into Spain. From here we
descend, zig zagging steeply back down to the
Vallee de Pouey Aspe, and on to Gavarnie from
where we rendezvous with our bus and are driven
down to the campsite in Lourdes.(6 hours.) Eat out
at own expense.
Day
15
Transfer to airport
at Lourdes for flights to UK. |
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