Foothills to Summits Trek

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This new trek combines walks in the lower and lesser known foothill valleys around Argelès and in the Val d’Azun, with the spectacular Vignemale summit, at 3298m the highest in the French Pyrenees. Moving between altitudes makes this trek particularly spectacular and interesting, and the itinerary packs the highlights into one week.

We have chosen a cosy B&B as our base for our first 4 days foothill walking. The views over the higher peaks from these ridges and summits are spectacular, and the forest and pasture landscapes are especially beautiful in spring. Don’t be fooled – the foothills can be just as challenging as the higher mountains, they are just snow free in June so make for wonderful walking.

Day 5 sees us en route for the Bayssellance Refuge from the Pont d’Espagne via the beautiful Lac de Gaube. After a night here a high mountain guide will meet us in the early hours of the morning to guide us on the glacier and up to the summit at 3298m! Panoramic views await us!

We descend via the famous caves constructed by renowned Pyreneeist the Irish-French count Henry Russell and drop down to Gavarnie (UNESCO World Heritage Site) for a glimpse of this most impressive of glacial cirques and its waterfall. We are picked up from here and return to Hotel Templiers for a hot shower, good dinner and a comfortable bed.