The best 7 hikes to do in the French Pyrenees
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Loading... - Sabrina Jabal
- 13 Apr 2023
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Whether you want to blissfully ramble and discover the perfect picnic meadow, or conquer majestic peaks that soar on the edge of reality, the Pyrenees won’t just satisfy your yearnings, it will inspire you to seek out more. From formidable rows of summits that surge through the clouds to sunsets that melt into hidden crevices and canyons, the Pyrenees is a hikers’ wonderland.
These seven best hikes in the French Pyrenees include staggering feats of nature such as the Cirque de Gavarnie, intoxicating aromas drifting through the Pyrenees Orientale, and wild mountains made even more memorable by the friendships often forged in the refuges below them.
1. The Andreyt ridges from the Col d’Aubisque
Best hike for families in the Pyrenees
5.4 miles (9 km), 3 hours, easy to moderate
Stretches of mountains fold lazily into each other, fresh breezes are carried from the sea, and summits are made surreal by sinking cloud. Balcony hikes provide striking views without the exertion, which makes them ideal for families – and anyone wanting an afternoon’s escape.
The Andreyt ridges are a delightful leisurely balcony loop that opens out onto the rest of the Haute–Pyrenees to the west. The tranquil hike quickly reveals dramatic views of the Cirque de Gourette, with its combination of craggy steel summits and rolling satiny green hills, while light reflects from moist rock that can look like running water. A short 1.5-mile detour after the crest of Andreyt leads to a spectacular view from the Soum de Grum.
A good starting point for this walk is Gourette, where you can drive or catch a bus to the top of the Col d’Aubisque. The Col also offers a shorter 1.5-mile round trip walking directly to the Soum de Grum.
Planning tip: Visit between May and October to avoid snow, and choose a clear day as fog can creep in – even in the summer.
2. Tuchan to Puilarens taking in the magnificent Gorge de Galamus
Most aromatic hike in the Pyrenees
Up to 80 miles (122 km) round trip, 3 days, easy to moderate
The delightfully heady scent of wild lavender, rosemary, broom and herbs is one of the exquisite joys of the Pyrenean spring and summer. The historic and popular Cathar Trail, linking the Pyrenees to the Mediterranean via the lower mountains, is one of the best ways to enjoy this. Read More…
