Hut-to-Hut Trekking in the Pyrenees
Border-hop your way along epic Pyrenean trails from Spain to France and back again, on the ‘High Route of the Lost’
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with expert, local, English-speaking mountain guidesHotel & Mountain hut
6 nights in mountain refuges, 1 night in a 4-star hotelMeals
All breakfasts and dinnersTransfers
To and from the airport and everything in betweenPermits
All National Park permitsSmall ‘Like-minded’ Groups
Solo-friendly by design, our small n’ sociable groups of up to 14 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
What's it like?
Tackle the Alta Ruta de Los Perdidos, an epic circular hike through two of the great massifs of the Pyrenees: Monte Perdido and Vignemale
This lesser-known gem is one of Europe's most outstanding mountain treks, right up there with anything you'll find in the Alps or the Dolomites
Bunk down in classic, cosy mountain refuges along the way, before ending your journey in style at a beautiful spa hotel in the Ordesa Valley
Key Information
Day 1
To the Pyrenees!
Your host will meet you on arrival at Zaragoza Airport and drive you to the picturesque town of Torla, then on to the Bujaruelo mountain hut. Settle in for dinner beneath the peaks with your fellow adventurers and trekking guides, ahead of the action starting in the morning.
Day 2
Bujaruelo to Refugio Góriz
Hiking
Hit the trail straight from the refuge at Bujaruelo, nestled in a beautiful spot, as you make your first steps of the 100km challenge. Cross the Roman bridge and ascend deeper into the mountains, following the red and white markings of the GR11 trail as far as the Puerto de Bujaruelo pass. Carry on eating into a chunk of elevation gain, making it to the Refugio de la Brecha de Rolando for a rest stop before descending along a path marked by cairns to the Planas de Narciso, an alpine plateau of wildflowers beneath the high peaks. Push on, completing a challenging first day when you reach the Góriz mountain hut, where you'll enjoy a well-earned dinner and bunk down.
Day 3
Collado de Añisclo and the Pineta Valley
Hiking
Fuel up on breakfast at the refuge and then set off back on the GR11. One of France's most epic long-distance trails, it runs all the way from the Bay of Biscay in the Atlantic Ocean, across the Pyrenees to the Mediterranean Sea. Gradually climb to the Collado Superior de Góriz, where you'll bid farewell to the GR11 as you turn off and head north-east through the Faja de las Olas to the Collado de Añisclo – a pass with magnificent views over the Añisclo canyon. In some parts of this section there are chains to help secure your footing along challenging parts of the route. There is the option to avoid this more technical part, so your guide can help here if needed. From the pass you'll tackle a long and demanding descent to your next refuge at Pineta.
Day 4
Cross the border into France
Hiking
The Pineta Valley is a stunning area – so soak up the last of the Spain section, culminating at the Balcón de Pineta and the Marboré Lake (2590m). Skirt the lake on the right side towards the Tucarroya Gap and the refuge there as you cross the border into France. Climb up to the gap and from here, descend along a steeply sloping channel with a lot of loose rocks that requires slow and steady progress. If there is snow at this stage, your guide will divert to an alternative route via Puerto Nuevo de Pineta that avoids the pass, which would need crampons and ice axes. Descend from the Brecha de Tucarroya before the final uphill stretch to the Espuguettes Refuge where you will enjoy unbeatable views of the Cirque de Gavarnie – a stunning natural amphitheatre formed by glacial erosion, boasting France's highest waterfall. This is possibly the most spectacular spot of the whole trek, and a stunning location for tonight's stay in the Espuguettes Refugio.
Day 5
The Cirque de Gavarnie
Hiking
At Espuguettes refuge, grab a coffee with an epic view first thing before hiking on in the direction of Gavarnie. After a steep descent, you will see a signpost indicating the trail to the Cirque de Gavarnie along a beautiful forest path. This will take you to the base of the imposing amphitheatre, where you can get right up to the waterfall. Trek on to small the village of Gavarnie – your first meeting with civilisation since Bujaruelo three days ago. To get to Grange de Holle mountain hut, you'll follow a somewhat hidden path, arriving at the refugio where you'll have dinner and spend the night.
Day 6
The great Vignemale
Hiking
Having already traversed Spain's great massif of Monte Perdido, it's now France's turn as you trek in the shadow of Vignemale: the highest point in the French Pyrenees at 3298m. Trek along a forest path to the Ossoue Valley, passing in front of the Lourdes Hut to cross the Barrage d'Ossoue before an ascent that will take you to the Bayssellance shelter. If the group is feeling up for it, you can tackle a summit of Le Petit Vignemale, reaching 3032m for the highest point of the trip. Continue along the Horquette d'Ossoue, a saddle connecting with the Petit Vignemale, before the final descent to the Oulèttes hut as the rhythm of long days on the trail rewarded with a beer and dinner at a refuge continues.
Day 7
The final push
Hiking
It's time to close the circle and earn an epic reward at the end of a week of wild trekking. Hit the trail heading back in the direction of Spain towards the Ara Valley, which is the scene for a long and gentle descent back to where it all began. Cross the familiar the Roman bridge of Bujaruelo, from which you set off a week ago. High fives all round – you've officially completed the circular route known as the Alta Ruta de Los Perdidos (the 'High Route of the Lost'). After a week in mountain refuges, albeit very nice ones, you'll be rewarded with a taste of luxury: spend your final night at a beautiful hotel and spa nestled in the Ordesa region of the Pyrenees. Soak your tired legs in the hot tub, sauna, Turkish baths and outdoor swimming pool, before a celebratory dinner and drinks to toast the final night of an amazing adventure.
Day 8
Time to head home
The adventure comes to an end today as your host drives you back to Zaragoza Airport in time for your onward flight home.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 6
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 7
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 8
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
Similar to the classic refuges in the Alps, the mountain huts in the Pyrenees offer a half-board service, so all breakfasts and dinners on the trek will be provided at the huts. You'll need to buy a packed lunch each morning from the hut to take with you on the trail. Breakfasts are usually continental – think juices, teas, coffee, yoghurts, bread and jams. Dinners are hearty – expect soups, a main course with meat, vegetables and a side dish (rice, polenta, pasta), and dishes like vanilla pudding, crème brulée or fruit salads for dessert. There are subtle changes on each side of the menu as the tastes of France and Spain blend in this shared mountain range. You'll likely find paella and fabada (a delicious bean and chorizo soup) on the menu in the Spanish refuges. Please note, there is an extra charge for soft and alcoholic drinks.
You should budget €10-15 per day for your lunches which will generally be sandwiches plus fruit, flapjacks, chocolate bars and other snacks available as well.
Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for – please just request this on your passenger info form. Vegan options at the refuges can be limited, so we advise that you bring along a supply of supplementary snacks if you are a strict vegan.
What is the accommodation like?
Mountain refuges
As you traverse the Monte Perdido and Vignemale massifs you'll bunk down in mountain huts at various points along the route. On the Spanish side you'll stay at the extremely nice, modern refuges at Pineta and Bujaruelo, as well as at the more basic alpine-style refuge at Goriz. On the French side, you'll stay at Refuges Espuguettes, Grange de Holle and Oulèttes de Gaube which are all more classic Alpine-style refuges. Each refuge has showers and they all have hot water, with the exception of Espuguettes: this is the most basic and there is no shower or hot water here, though it boasts the best views of any hut on this trip.
You will stay in mixed-sex dormitories. Blankets and bedding are provided, but we advise that you bring a sleeping bag liner for extra comfort. Earplugs are also recommended!
Hotel Silken Ordesa
Enjoy a taste of luxury at the end of this trip, well-deserved after a successful 100km of proper trekking under your belt. After six nights in mountain refuges deep in the Pyrenees, you can relax and toast the end of an amazing trip in style at the Hotel Silken Ordesa near Torla. Nestled in stunning Pyrenean scenery, the hotel has an outdoor pool and a spa with a sauna, hot tub and Turkish bath to soak your weary legs. You'll stay in same-sex twin or triple rooms, depending on availability.
Upgrades
An optional private room upgrade is available for your night at Hotel Silken Ordesa for an extra cost – see Optional Extras for details. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability).
There are no private rooms available at the mountain refuges in the Pyrenees.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Zaragoza Airport
12:00 on Day 1
Ends
Zaragoza Airport
09:00 on Day 8
Transfers
Your host will meet you at Zaragoza Airport – please arrive before 12:00 on Day 1 in order to join the group transfer to Bujaruelo mountain hut for your first night. On Day 8, your host will provide a group transfer back to Zaragoza Airport in the morning, dropping you off at approximately 09:00 ready for any flights departing from 11:00 onwards.
If you are arriving or departing at different times, on different days or flying to/from alternative airports (Asturias Airport or Santander Airport) your host can arrange private airport transfers for an additional charge, subject to availability. Please see Optional Extras for prices.
Travel options
There are direct flights to Zaragoza from London's Stansted Airport if you are travelling from the UK. Travellers from various parts of the US and Europe will be able to transit via various European hubs such as Paris, Milan and Madrid.
Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear
In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.
What do I need to bring?
BAGS
Hiking pack (40-50 litres)
Waterproof liner for hiking pack
CLOTHES
Lightweight down or synthetic jacket
Lightweight waterproof and windproof jacket
Breathable wicking layers
Fleece jacket or similar
Buff or neck scarf
Lightweight trousers/shorts/skirts for hiking
T-shirts
Underwear and socks
Swimwear for hotel
Sunglasses
Sunhat
Something to sleep in
Hiking boots (worn-in)
Lightweight shoes for refuges
SLEEPING
Pillowcase
Sleeping bag liner
OTHER
Universal travel plug adapter
Power bank or solar charger
Passports (and visas)
Travel insurance documents
Suncream
Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
Quick-dry towel
Alcohol hand-gel
Face mask
Headtorch or torch
Two reusable water bottles x1 litre
OPTIONAL
Sleeping bag (2/3 season) - if you prefer to use your own rather than the blankets at the huts
Earplugs
Trekking poles
Energy bars and snacks - read our article on Best Hiking Snacks
Optional Private Room Upgrade in Ordesa
Payable Before Departure
Optional Private Room Upgrade in Ordesa
…
We’re still waiting to collect any reviews from other travellers on this trip. However, all our hosts go through an extensive vetting process to ensure that your adventure is awesome.
We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 133kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you in it).
- A return economy class flight London - New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
This trek is a serious challenge. You'll certainly earn your sundowner at each of the mountain refuges! You're covering 100km in six days of trekking, with 6500m of elevation gain and descent to cover on this full circular route. The descents can be tough going, with steep rocky sections and some exposed ridges. The terrain in the Pyrenees is tricky at times, with loose, rocky, limestone scree to navigate. There are some technical sections using fixed ropes to help make your way along, but you don't need technical mountaineering experience as your expert guide is there to help on these sections if you feel you need a hand. A strong level of fitness and resilience and the ability to keep your spirits up on long days of hiking is key for this trip! Remember you will also be carrying a 40-50 litre backpack throughout the trek, although as it is a hut-to-hut route, you won't be carrying any camping or cooking equipment – just your clothes, personal belongings and enough water for the day ahead.
The weather in the Pyrenees can be very changeable, so be sure to pack for all weathers. Temperatures at the higher altitudes you will be reaching on this trip during the July to Oct hiking season can get up to 20°C (68°F) during the peak of the day, but drop significantly during the evening/night in the range of 5°C to 15°C (41°F to 59°F).
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion and are non-compulsory on this trip. Of course, if you feel that your guides provided an exceptional experience then you are welcome to tip as much as you feel is appropriate.
The tap water from the refuges in the Pyrenees is safe to drink, so bring along a minimum of two litres carrying capacity in water bottles and/or bladders to fill up each morning before setting off. There will be opportunities to fill up from streams and rivers on the trip, though we advise you to exercise caution and bring some form of filtration if you wish to fill up from natural water sources. Have a read of our guide to the best water filters for adventurers.
Yes! This is a hut-to-hut trek, with no roads from the morning of Day 2 until the final descent on Day 7. This deep in the mountains, no luggage transfers or porterage options are available. We strongly suggest you train for a trip of this nature by heading out in the weeks before with a good quality 40-50L trekking backpack loaded up so that you get used to the weight.
Snow is the biggest factor which can affect this trek, particularly in the earlier part of the season (July). There are two sections of the route which will have to be bypassed if there has been any significant snowfall on the days prior. Your host has plotted out deviations away from these sections in case of snowfall. If poor weather comes in (such as storms, heavy rain and poor visibility), depending on the stage of the trek your host will consider the conditions and plot an alternative route which may involve sitting out any extreme weather in one of the huts. This is an unlikely event in the summer months, but your hosts are experienced mountain guides with a lot of successful treks in this part of the world under their belt, so you are in the best of hands.
Yes, you can leave any excess luggage at the Bujuruelo mountain refuge when you set off on the morning of Day 2. You can collect it again at the end of the trek on Day 7 before heading to Hotel Silken Ordesa for your final night.
We recommend checking out the country specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.
Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing.
Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness.
We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last-minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that 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 (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.
You're always in good company on one of our adventures.
Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers 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.
Interested in a more exclusive experience? Opt for a 'Private Group' through the dates and prices tab to book this adventure for just you and your chosen companions.
Our team of Adventure Hunters create exclusive adventures with highly vetted, specialist hosts. We only work with independent, local in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. See here for more info about the local teams we partner with.
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Connect before you go
You'll be invited to join a WhatsApp group to get to know each other before your big adventure together. Full details
DEPARTURE DATES
Sunday • 14th July 2024
to Sunday • 21st July 2024
FLASH SALE - Only 2 spots left at 10% off
Sunday • 28th July 2024
to Sunday • 4th August 2024
FLASH SALE - Only 2 spots left at 10% off
