PYRENEAN PASSES & SUMMITS
Challenging walks in high mountain scenery
Explore the majestic Pyrenees to its most stunning passes and summits. Discover breathtaking views and challenging routes.
Tour details
The construction of the hydroelectricity scheme in the 1950s, and the ski stations in the 1970s, have given the valleys of the Central Pyrenees roads reaching high into the mountains. These allow you to tackle passes and summits - that were once accessible only with an overnight stay in a refuge - as day walks from Hotel Les Templiers in the historic centre of Luz St Sauveur.
Luz is an excellent base camp from which to explore; it gives you access into the frontier summits along with the Néouvielle Nature Reserve. Given the strenuous and high altitude nature of these walks we have included the option of guiding for either three or six days of the week (for groups of four or more), which also allows you to tackle, should you choose, more challenging itineraries than we would suggest walking independently.
Budget
675€ per person
This price includes :
- seven (7) nights B&B accommodation in Hotel Les Templiers
- marked maps & walks notes each day
- help with walk selection each day to make the best of the weather conditions at the time of your stay
- general assistance during your stay
- full briefing
Options :
- single room supplement (+€35/day)
- pick-up at Lourdes station (€80 - up to 4 people)
Itinerary
Day 1
The Saugué Plateau and Portaillou Pass provide you with spectacular views firstly into the Gavarnie Cirque and finally, from the pass, onto the frontier summits including the Breche de Roland and the Taillon, which you tackle later in the week. An excellent warm up walk through the pastoral scenery of the high Pyrenees. The plateau is dotted with barns, sheep, cattle, irises and blueberries.
Day 2
The Madamette Pass and Peak: At 2657m this peak is accessible yet interesting, with wonderful views onto the big lakes of the Neouvielle Nature Reserve. Walking up through the pretty valley of Aigues Cluses you then turn off and head higher, up into rockier terrain. Either reach the pass and return via the same path, or the peak and return via a circular route. The scenery is very different from the first day – granite rather than limestone, less pastoral and a higher mountain atmosphere – all lakes, rhododendrons and pines.
Day 3
The Brèche de Roland (2800m) with the option of the Taillon Summit (3144m) provide a challenging day out. Starting your walk at 2200m is already high mountain terrain. The Brèche is a huge rectangular cleft in the frontier chain above the Gavarnie Cirque. It is spectacular enough in itself, and by passing through it you have the option of climbing to the Taillon summit from the Spanish side.
Day 4
The Pont d’Espagne, Lac de Gaube and the Oulettes de Gaube provide you with a wonderful day out in the neighbouring Cauterets valley. Arrive at the refuge with its views onto the north face of the Vignemale and the Oulettes glacier (the lowest in the Pyrenees). A slightly easier day for the middle of the week, but unmissable scenery. Option of a night out in the refuge if you'd like to do the Petit Vignemale peak.
Day 5
The Gavarnie Cirque and Piméné Summit. Gavarnie is the most well known site in the Central Pyrenees, and is the home of mountaineering in the Pyrenees. This walk from Gavarnie village (1300m) takes you high above the cirque to either the Hourquette d’Alans (2430m) or the Piméné Summit (2801m) for fabulous views in all directions. Option of sleeping in a refuge to shorten the walk.
Day 6
The Bernatoire Lake and Peak: The drive into the Ossoue Valley is an adventurous start to the day in itself. From just beneath the Ossoue dam you see up to the Ossoue glacier underneath the Vignemale. The Bernatoire Lake sits right on the border and is famous as the route by which Spanish cattle cross over at the end of July each summer to graze in French pastures, an exchange that dates back to medieval times. The peak is 300m above and well worth the extra hike.