Hendaye to Belagua
The Pays Basque is a beautiful, soft land with gentle rolling hills and natural woodland. For a short while, the route coincides with the famous Camino pilgrimage but the hordes are soon left behind. The mountains gradually get higher, reaching 2000m at Pic D'Orhy.
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| Below Pic D'Orhy |
Belagua to Gavarnie
The karst forest to the West of Lescun is an extraordinary place that resembles a moonscape. Beyond this, a more Alpine environment is entered offering opportunities for ascents of classic peaks like the Pic Midi D'Ossau, Balatitous and Vignemale. The mountains are barren with huge boulderfields, scree slopes and soaring rock spires.
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| Approaching Gavernie |
Gavarnie to Salardu
Gavarnie lies at the foot of a great cirque, rent by waterfalls. From here, an overnight in the bivouac hut of the Refuge de Tuqueroye is a must, allowing an ascent of Monte Perdido. Sticking on the Spanish side of the range allows an ascent of Posets with its fabulous folded rocks. Next up is Aneto, the highest point in the Pyrenees, followed by a lake-studded landscape.
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| On Monte Perdido |
Salardu to Hospitalet pres Andorre
This is a wild section, well served by metal bivouac huts.
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Hospitalet pres Andorre to Banyuls-sur-Mer
Canigou is the last big mountain, but there are many smaller ones besides. Perthus is a place to avoid! In contrast, Banyuls is a fine place to end, with superb swimming in the Medittarean.
