Alf Alderson picks the top 10 hikes in this spectacular mountain range that straddles the French and Spanish border…
The Haute Randonnée Pyrénée (HRP)
This 800km high-level trail covers the length of the Pyrenees from Hendaye on the French Atlantic coast to Banyuls-sur-Mer on the French Mediterranean, passing back and forth between France and Spain. It involves 42,000m of elevation change, passes through several very remote areas and is not always marked, with the average time to complete it being around 45 days.
The GR10 Hendaye to Banyuls-sur-Mer
A lower level 866km long-distance trail which runs only through the French Pyrenees. It involves 48,000 metres of elevation gain but is generally less demanding than the HRP.
The GR11 Cape Higuer to Cap de Creus
An 840km long-distance trail along the Spanish Pyrenees, usually walked from west to east, starting in the Basque country and finishing in Catalonia. It has a total elevation change of 39,000 metres.
Cirque de Lescun
This area south-west of Lescun in the Vallée d'Aspe can also be tackled on a trip to the Pics de Ansabere, described above; the cirque itself is a dramatic start to the ‘real’ Pyrenees, rising high and mighty above Lescun, and relatively quiet compared to areas further east.
Pic du Midi d'Ossau
The impressive 2,884m peak stands alone from the surrounding mountains, making it appear even more dramatic. It can be climbed in a single hard day and rewards you with fantastic views of the western Pyrenees.
Vignemale
The highest of the French Pyrenean peaks at 3,298m, it has superb hiking around the several summits that make up the actual Vignemale massif.
Gavarnie
Despite being overrun with tourists and tourist tat, Gavarnie and its enormous cirque are still worth a visit – especially out of season. The cirque itself is a tremendous rock wall down which cascades the highest waterfall in France, and it’s an easy stroll to view it; for something more demanding try the tougher hike to the dramatic Brèche de Roland.
Monte Perdido
The Perdido is the third highest peak in the Pyrenees, situated behind the Cirque du Gavarnie. It has some superb high-level hiking and can be best accessed from the Spanish side of the range and by spending a night in Refugio Goriz. Note that the higher slopes are covered in snow and ice until well into the summer.
Aneto
At 3,404m, the Spanish peak of Aneto is the highest mountain in the Pyrenees, and its summit is most easily accessed from the Refugio de Renclusa – it involves a glacier crossing so you need to be competent in the use of crampons and ice axe, but the magnificent views from the summit are well worth the effort.
Aiguestortes
This region in Catalonia on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees, is famed for its lakes and high peaks rising to over 3,000m, and has a fine range of walks amongst lovely mountain scenery – try the ‘Carros de Foc’ (Chariots of Fire) trail, a multi-day circular route using mountain refuges for accomodation.
