Trip Ref #9379
DURATION
4 nights
LOCATION
France
ANNUAL LEAVE
3 days off work
GROUP SIZE
Up to 8 people
MEETING POINT
Gavarnie
ACCOMMODATION
Classic
Campsite
DIFFICULTY
Challenging
This will be a challenge, so good fitness and some mountaineering experience are strongly recommended.
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
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
8hrs · 10km · 1450m up · 1450m down
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
6-7hrs · 12km · 1000m up · 1000m down
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
8hrs · 15km · 1250m up · 1250m down
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.
Included
Guides
Fully qualified, English speaking mountain guide
Accommodation
4 nights camping
Meals
Munch on tasty food throughout
Transfers
To and from the hiking route
Not Included
Flights to and from the meeting point
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas where required
Day 1
Campsite · Solo tent
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 4
Campsite · Solo tent
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 5
Departure day
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.
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've crunched the numbers to work out the total carbon footprint of this trip, and plant enough trees to suck 2x as much back out the atmosphere.
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?
- 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
Beautiful surroundings, great guide, good hiking.
Mandy the guide was great, the other trekkers and the views also.
An incredible part of the world. Beautiful views!
This is a challenging route so good fitness and some previous mountaineering experience is recommended. Travellers must be able to walk 20-25kms in hilly terrain over multiple days.
Sure can! Over 50% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
During the summer months you can expect temperatures in the mid-20's, however, like any mountainous environment you should be prepared to face all conditions. The Pyrenees are prone to storms in late July/August, while conditions are more stable from September to October.
Any excess luggage can be safely left at your accommodation during the day.
Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.
Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our adventures. Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure.
Your insurance policy should also include specific Covid-19 cover, including cancellation and curtailment cover if you, your travel companion or a close relative are diagnosed with Covid-19.
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 in good company. Our adventures are typically made up of a mix of solo travellers and small groups of two or three friends who simply love adventure, pushing themselves and meeting awesome like-minded people. See here for more info about our lovely bunch of Much Better Adventurers.
Want to book a private trip? Just tap ‘Private Group’ in the dates and prices tab.
Your trip is led by carefully curated local hosts and expert guides. See here for more info about the guides we work with.
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