Pyrenees Circuit Hike

On arrival in Lourdes you will be met at the airport or railway station (or at your hotel) and transferred to the typical mountain village of Aucun in the Azun Valley. Your first dinner and night is at a comfortable 3 star hotel. If you arrive early, you can visit the little village or easily walk to the charming village of Arrens-Marsous a couple of kilometers away. Both the villages have traditional architecture and are surrounded by the lush green mountains. Transfer time : 30 minutes.

A short transfer (approx. 30min) takes you to the Lac d'Estaing from where you begin hiking up the GR10 through pine forest and on to the high pastures at Arrioussec. Here you will see herds of the traditional horned cream cows of the Pyrenees, which are so relaxed that you can often walk among them without any of them moving an inch! From the Col d'Ilhe´ou, you walk to Ilhe´ou lake - a great place for a well earned rest. Enjoy a gentle downhill walk to the lovely Cambasque valley where you will meet your transfer driver to save those just-a-little-too-far extra miles to Cauterets. A really rewarding day's walking. Cauterets is an attractive and vibrant Pyrenean mountain town, which in the 19th century was packed with Romantic authors and artists as well as the affluent bourgeoisie all "taking the waters" (what the French call "the cure") thanks to its natural, health-giving thermal springs. They would also explore the other natural wonders of the region and have a go on the funicular railway (unfortunately no longer running). You stay at a remarkable three star hotel - remarkable because it owes its existence and origins to those affluent times, and remarkable too because you walk into a seemingly brand spanking new 19th century hotel. You gradually discover that it has undergone a comprehensive and very expensive refurbishment that retains all its 19th features, yet now includes state of the art 21st century showers (to name but one thing). The restaurant too serves the sort of authentic regional cuisine that those needing to "take the cure" (then and today) appreciate. Distance: 12km/7.5mi. Elevation: +1050m/3465ft, - 870m/2870ft Transfer time: 20 minutes and 15 minutes.

A wonderful walk with a lot of ascent and minimal descent - but then you have a privileged stay tonight up high in the Pyrenees. After a short transfer to a higher altitude from Cauterets to Pont d’Espagne, with the local shuttle, you begin walking up to Gaube lake in which you will see mirrored the imposing grandeur of the north face of Vignemale and the crevasses of the Petit Vignemale glacier - one of the most beautiful and dramatic panoramic views in the Pyrenees. You now walk alongside a glacial stream, and among alpine meadows interspersed with numerous waterfalls before arriving at the Oulettes mountain refuge from which mountaineers climb Grand Vignemale (3298m). You, however, climb gradually to the Col d'Ossoue, which gets you very close to Petit Vignemale (3032m). You can climb to the summit if you want to, or just go straight down to the wonderful Baysellance refuge where you will spend a truly memorable night. Built of stone with a copper vaulted roof in 1899, and refurbished in 2003, this unique refuge is the highest staffed refuge in the Pyrenees at 8,000 feet, and offers simple, shared accommodation with private, but shared bathrooms with paid cold showers, unfussy but plentiful meals, a convivial atmosphere, and, above all, a magnificent location, both in daylight and at night when the stars seem almost as close as the mountains. It really does feel like a privilege staying here. Distance: 12,6km/7.9mi or 14,4km/9mi (with Petit Vignemale) Elevation: +1200m/3960ft or +1500m/4950ft, - 100m/330ft or -400m/1320ft. Transfer time: 30 minutes.

An early wakeup is recommended this morning to see the sun rise over Ossoue glacier. Some may take pleasure in the fact that where yesterday was all about ascending, today is all about descending. You walk down the lovely Ossoue valley with its streams, waterfalls - and marmottes. In meadow areas at certain altitudes, they are ubiquitous, and eminently photogenic. However, your eyes will increasingly be captivated by the sight of the Cirque de Gavarnie, which you may be surprised to find actually challenges some of yesterday's panoramic views as the best you've ever seen! You stay tonight at a traditional and comfortable two star hotel in the centre of Gavarnie village, but with exceptional views of the Cirque de Gavarnie and the 1,300 feet Grand Cascade waterfall from its terrace. Bernard will prepare dishes for you which bring together the best of traditional Pyrenean cuisine (stews, meats, mushrooms, cheeses and more), while Roseline will ensure you have a warm welcome and a comfortable stay. Distance: 17km/10.5mi. Elevation: +170m/561ft, -1455m/4800ft.

The Cirque de Gavarnie is widely regarded as the most exceptional and memorable site in the Pyrenees. You walk fairly gently up a wide path to the Bellevue plateau, with privileged panoramas of the high mountain scenery all around you. From the top, you descend into the centre of the enormous natural "amphitheatre" that is the Cirque du Gavarnie with its myriad waterfalls - many impressively long and powerful - sheer bare rock cliffs, and contrasting peaceful valley bottom. The appropriately named Grande Cascade at about 1,300 feet is over 300 feet higher than the Eiffel Tower and one of the highest in Europe. The final section is by the Espugues route, which cuts across a rocky cliff face. You’ll spend the night at the Espuguettes refuge. Shared rooms and bathroom, no showers available. The view from the Refuge is breath taking and panoramic, offering a stunning perspective of the Pyrenees' rugged beauty. Perched at around 6,650 feet, the refuge overlooks the deep valley and the Cirque of Gavarnie. Closer to the refuge, there are grassy meadows and patches of forest, giving the area a calm and open feel. Distance: 11km/6.9mi or 14km/8.75mi (with the Grande Cascade). Elevation: +920m/3036ft or + 1110m/3630ft, -350m/1155ft or -540m/1790ft.

You can choose from either a more gentle walk to Maillet or to ascend to the summit of the Piméné (2801m), which offers one of the best viewpoints of the Cirque de Gavarnie. From both peaks you can see the Brèche de Roland and a series of peaks over 3000m, rising above the eternal snow. In the distance, the Vignemale massif, crossed two days earlier, is visible. The descent takes you through the Cirque d'Estaubé down to your accommodation, Maillet, near Troumouse. If you choose to ascend Petit Piméné, expect an additional 360m/1120ft of elevation gain and 1h45 of walking. For the ascent of Piméné, plan for 550m/1820ft of elevation gain and an additional 2.5hrs of hiking. This evening stay in private rooms with own shower but shared bathroom. Distance: 14,4km/9mi or 20km/12.5mi. Elevation : +650m/2145ft or +1200m/3960ft / - 850m/2800ft or -1400m/4620ft.

After a moderately steep ascent, the hike gently continues through the vast natural arena of the Cirque de Troumouse and its welcoming meadows. The Cirque is a stunning natural amphitheatre, at an altitude of approximately 2,100 meters/ 6930 feet. It is renowned for being the largest glacial cirque in the Pyrenees, measuring about 11 km (6.9 mi) in diameter. This impressive geological formation is surrounded by towering cliffs and peaks, creating a dramatic landscape that is both rugged and breathtaking. During the warmer months, the meadows bloom with a variety of wildflowers, and the area is often grazed by herds of sheep and cattle, adding to its pastoral charm. The descent leads to Héas and its small chapel. In the afternoon we transfer you to Lourdes. Known worldwide as a major Catholic pilgrimage site, Lourdes attracts millions of visitors each year due to the Marian apparitions reported by Saint Bernadette in 1858. Key landmarks include the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, the grotto where the apparitions occurred, and the baths believed to have healing properties. You stay in a charming and comfortable 3* hotel located next to the train station and near the town centre. It offers a welcoming atmosphere with modern amenities and features cosy rooms. The restaurant offers a combination of traditional French cuisine with a focus on local Pyrenean flavours. Distance: 9,5km/6mi. Elevation: +300m/990ft / -600m/2000ft. Transfer time: 1 hour.