Hike and Wild Swim in the French Pyrenees

Wild swimming in the French Pyrenees is all about refreshing dips in rivers and glacial lakes after your hikes, the perfect way to cool off and unwind in stunning surroundings. Your guide will lead you to each swim spot, where you’ll usually have time to relax, enjoy a picnic and take a dip if you fancy. Swimming is entirely optional and always intended as a short, revitalizing cool-down, rather than a guided open-water swim where you’re expected to cover a distance.

Your guide will remain on shore during swims, and these spots do not have lifeguards or other supervision, so please don’t swim out of your depth or beyond your comfort level. Water temperatures in summer are cold, often 50–59°F in the high lakes, so always test the water before entering. As these are natural locations with limited facilities, we recommend bringing a large towel or robe for changing, and neoprene shoes for rocky entries.

Refuges are simple but welcoming. Expect shared dormitories (usually mixed gender) with bunks, mattresses, and blankets. Bring a sleeping bag liner. Facilities are basic, with shared bathrooms and communal dining rooms where meals are served.

You'll be led by one qualified International Mountain Leader, who is also your swim guide. No additional support crew is required for this trip.

Your guide is experienced at managing mountain conditions and will adapt the itinerary if needed for weather, safety, or group well-being.

The signal is patchy in the higher valleys and around the refuges. Wi-Fi is not available in the huts; enjoy the digital detox.

Yes, your larger bag can be safely stored at the hotel in Luz Saint Sauveur while you are on the mini trek.

Tap water is safe to drink in Luz Saint Sauveur. In the mountains, you can refill from refuges and some streams. We recommend bringing purification tablets or a filter for untreated water.

At Much Better Adventures, we work hard to accommodate dietary requirements and allergies so your trip is safe, inclusive and enjoyable. That said, options can vary by country, location and accommodation, and in some places options may be limited or unavailable. The information below has been provided by your host so you’re fully informed about what will be possible on your trip depending on your individual requirements. This information should be read carefully prior to your trip to ensure that you are adequately prepared for the situation ‘on the ground’.

Once you have booked on your trip, please fill out your passenger information form asap with any dietary requirements. Once you complete your passenger information, your dietary needs and any allergies are automatically shared with your host and, in turn, your guide. Please submit this as early as possible so they can plan accordingly and deliver the best experience. Please also remind your guide about your dietary requirements upon arrival, as mentioning these in person allows your guide to comprehend individual preferences and limitations as soon as you arrive.

BACKGROUND

The Pyrenees — stretching between France and Spain with a small section in Andorra — have a mountain cuisine built around shepherding, preserved foods, game, beans, cheese, and slow-cooked stews. Food varies between the Basque, Catalan, Béarnais, Aragonese and Gascon regions, but there are strong common themes: hearty dishes designed for cold winters and high mountain living.

SPECIAL DIETS

Vegetarian Vegetarian diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance.

Vegan Vegan diets are difficult to cater for on this trip. While your host will do their best to meet these requirements, please be aware that the required produce and ingredients are not abundant in this destination, and you may find the food provided repetitive.

Please do consider bringing your favourite snacks or food supplements from home to ensure that you always have enough fuel for your adventure.

Kosher Fully certified Kosher kitchens and supervision are rare and usually cannot be guaranteed unless expressly confirmed in advance by your host. Vegetarian or vegan options can often be the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.

Halal Certified Halal supply varies by destination and may not always be possible. Vegetarian or vegan options can often be the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.

INTOLERANCES

Gluten Free (for Coeliac, please see Allergies section below) Gluten-free diets are difficult to cater for on this trip. While your host will do their best to meet these requirements, please be aware that the required produce and ingredients are not abundant in this destination, and you may find the food provided repetitive.

Please do consider bringing your favourite snacks or food supplements from home to ensure that you always have enough fuel for your adventure.

Lactose-free Lactose-free diets are difficult to cater for on this trip. While your host will do their best to meet these requirements, please be aware that the required produce and ingredients are not abundant in this destination, and you may find the food provided repetitive.

Please do consider bringing your favourite snacks or food supplements from home to ensure that you always have enough fuel for your adventure.

ALLERGIES

Our host has confirmed that provision for certain mild and severe or life threatening food allergies on this trip may be unreliable. Please get in touch with our Customer Experience team prior to booking to discuss whether your requirements can be accommodated safely on this trip.

This will allow us to carefully consider the sensitivity and severity of your allergy, the available provision on the trip and the accessibility of medical care should a reaction occur. Your safety is always our top priority. Please note that when travelling overseas, local ingredients, food preparation methods and labelling standards may vary, particularly in remote areas. It is also worth noting that any allergies may result in more limited options and repetitive provision in some areas. Whilst your guide will help communicate dietary requirements where possible, customers remain responsible for managing their own allergies during the trip.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers review the practical information available on the UK Government’s FCDO website, where you can find up-to-date advice by searching for your destination(s).

If you are based in the United States, you can also check the latest travel advisories from the U.S. Department of State.

For customers joining from other international locations, we recommend checking the official travel advice issued by your country of residence, as guidance may vary.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates daily, so prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips typically consist of a mix of solo travelers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves, and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

From June to September, expect warm, sunny days in the valleys, with average highs in the low to mid-70s°F. Temperatures are cooler at altitude and can drop close to freezing at night, especially in the mountain refuges. Weather in the Pyrenees can change quickly, so be prepared for sun, rain, and cloud in a single day — good layers and waterproofs are essential.

June: Early summer may still bring snow at higher elevations and the lakes are at their coldest. Trails are quieter.

July–August: The warmest months, with valley temperatures in the mid-70s°F and long daylight hours. Popular with hikers and families.

September: Cooler, crisp days and fewer crowds. Evenings can be chilly but swimming is still possible.

Lake and river swims are always refreshing — expect water temperatures around 50–59°F in high lakes, and slightly warmer in lower rivers.