What's Included?
Small Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 8 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
…
What's it like?
Summit 3 Pyrenean peaks - Petit Vignemale (3032m), Pic du Piméné (2801m) and either Casque or the Taillon (3000m), or if you’re lucky, both
Pass through Roland’s Breach, a natural and extremely photogenic gap, 40m across and 100m high separating France and Spain
Experience awe-inspiring views of the Mont Perdu World Heritage Area, including France’s famous glacial cirques and some of Europe's tallest waterfalls
Key Information
Day 1
Gavarnie
Travel to the lovely mountain village of Gavarnie where your guide will be waiting for you. Settle into your accommodation and after a briefing on the days ahead, sit down for dinner with the rest of your team.
Day 2
Pic du Piméné (2801m)
Hiking
Climb to the summit of Piméné and get an awe-inspiring view of the Mont Perdu World Heritage Area, including France’s famous glacial cirques, Gavarnie, Estaubé and Troumouse. These serrated limestone formations are connected via much-loved hiking routes and are home to some of Europe's tallest waterfalls, including the Grande Cascade de Gavarnie (423m). Return to base for a well-earned rest and another night under the stars.
Day 3
Cirque de Gavarnie
Hiking
Depending on conditions, traverse the Breche de Roland (2,800m) and ascend either the Casque or the Taillon (or if you’re lucky, both) - 3000m peaks connected via a ridge that encloses the Gavarnie Cirque. Summit/s in the bag, return to your campsite for a well deserved meal and a drink or two.
Day 4
Petit Vignemale (3032m)
Hiking
Set off from the Ossoue Valley (1800m) and follow the vertigo-inducing GR10 path to the Baysellance Refuge - the highest in the Pyrenees. Summit Petit Vignemale and get a never-ending view of the Ossoue Glacier and the Gaube Valley. Legs suitably tired, head back down for a final night in these spectacular mountains.
Day 5
Journey home
Enjoy a last breakfast in the Pyrenees and then head back to Lourdes airport or continue travelling through this beautiful region.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Gavarnie
18:00
Ends
Gavarnie
09:00
Transfers
Your guide will be waiting for you at the Grange de Holle campsite, in the village of Gavarnie. Buses run from Lourdes Airport (LDE) and take around 1 hour and 40 minutes and cost €2 (until the end of August only). If you'd rather take a taxi, these usually cost around €75. Your host can help you with this and will try to team you up with other members of the trip so you can share the costs.
Travel options
There are regular flights to Lourdes (LDE) from airports across the UK and Europe.
What about all the carbon?
We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre program, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 4
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
Breakfasts will be simple - think bread, cheese, spreads and fruit-juice. Picnic lunches include sandwiches, snacks, fruit and biscuits to fuel your journey and dinner features three delicious courses of hearty mountain foods - warm stews with bread, cheese fondue, followed by a sweet treat. Most dietary requirements can be catered for, just let your host know in advance.
What is the accommodation like?
The Pyrenees
You'll stay be staying in the small campsite in the grounds of the Refuge Grange de Holle, a rustic mountain hut concealed from the crowds in the Pyrenees National Park. Facilities are shared and there is a dining room complete with a cosy fireplace, a meeting room and a terrace that's ideal for soaking up the sunshine. You will have breakfast and dinner at the Refuge but will sleep in tents on the grounds.
Solo travellers will get their own tent and those travelling as a pair can share a tent if they like.
Beautiful surroundings, great guide, good hiking.
An incredible part of the world. Beautiful views!
Mandy the guide was great, the other trekkers and the views also.
Guides
Fully qualified, English speaking mountain guide
Accommodation
4 nights camping
Meals
Munch on tasty food throughout
Transfers
To and from the hiking route
Our trips are hassle-free by design. We include all the activities and equipment, as well as many of the meals, so you can simply rock up with your rucksack and share the adventure with your new pals.
Personal Expenses
You know your own spending habits best, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals and drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry.
What do I need to bring?
- 3 season sleeping bag
- Sleeping mat/Thermarest
- Camping pillow (optional)
- 40 to 60-litre rucksack
- Waterproof rucksack cover
- Comfortable, broken-in walking boots
- Walking poles
- First aid kit
- Clothing suitable for mountainous terrain - pack for all climates
- Lightweight towel
- Suncream for face and lips (Factor 50)
- Roll of toilet paper
- Water bottle or Platypus type hydration system – 1.5 to 2 litres
- Penknife
- Head torch for use in the refuges
- Survival blanket (light foil blanket to keep injured people warm)
Dorm room alternative to camping
Payable Before Departure
Dorm room alternative to camping
… Per person, Per night
Extra night camping inc. dinner & breakfast
Payable Before Departure
Extra night camping inc. dinner & breakfast
… Per person, Per night
Any excess luggage can be safely left at your accommodation during the day.
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.
Reviews
Matt October 2019
"Beautiful surroundings, great guide, good hiking."
Rich August 2019
"An incredible part of the world. Beautiful views!"
Ceri August 2019
"Mandy the guide was great, the other trekkers and the views also."
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Book with confidence and peace of mind.
DEPARTURE DATES
