Walking | Rock Climbing | Skiing

The Pyrenees is a heaven for outdoor enthusiasts, with a wealth of activities available in and around the mountains. The Pyrenees is exceptional walking country, with enough variety of great walks to fill a lifetime. Rock climbing is also popular with many local sites, some of which have been used for national and international competitions. With the onset of winter, the Pyrenees offers some fine terrain for cross-country skiing.

The spa town of Luchon is a major centre for all year round outdoor activities, including parascending, downhill skiing, rafting and canyonning. Luchon is the largest and a fashionable Pyrenean spa resort. Here you can relax in the natural thermal spa and Vaporarium - a unique steam room in a 160m long underground rock gallery, a great way to soothe tired muscles. For an introduction to astronomy, head to the Observatory at the Pic du Midi (2, 877m altitude) via the cable car from La Mongie.

Here you will find the 'Museum of the Stars' which houses a two metre long telescope - perfect for star gazing (organised trips available). The view from the summit is unique, where, on a clear day you can see the Pyrenees mountain range and the plains of the South of France up to the foothills of the Massif Central.

Toulouse, the capital of the Midi-Pyrenees and dubbed 'la ville en rose', because of its pink brick buildings is well worth visiting to admire the architecture. Art galleries and museums abound, displaying rare and prestigious collections of art. Toulouse is the home of Airbus and the Aerospatiale, the largest aeronautical site in Europe, where you can take a tour of the enourmous Airbus assembly floor.

For a change of culture and sights, you can visit Spain for the day which is only 25km away via the border crossing at Fos.

Walking

Away from the tourist hot-spots, the Pyrenees offers walkers secluded glens, remote and rarely trodden corners of true wilderness, allowing you to experience a sense of remoteness. The valleys are just as memorable as the mountains, especially in late spring and early summer when there is an abundance of alpine plants carpeting the meadows, giving the Pyrenees the well-deserved name of "The Flower Garden of Europe", with around 160 native species.

Wildlife is also abundant - wild boar and deer can be seen locally in the forests, while enormous birds of prey can be seen riding the thermals almost everywhere.

We are situated in the heart of the Barousse valley which supports a great diversity of plant and animal life - the flora being particularly rich. There are many opportunities to explore the lower valley and higher mountains, to get off the beaten track to see the wilder and more remote areas amidst spectacular scenery. There is a good mix of trails to suit all abilities.

There are plenty of opportunities to escape the crowds in the surrounding areas. Below are some other examples of our favorite walking areas, which can be reached by car:

Hospice de France, a one-time staging post for mule trains trading across the frontier. The Hospice de France lies at a junction of routes in rough pastureland, with woodland above and below and a view towards the frontier mountains. There are many choices of routes, all of which are well-marked. For example, a popular 7 hour circuit will take you across the border via the old mule-track with breathtaking views of the Spanish mountains, glaciers and mountain lakes. Alternatively, walk on a path created by Napoleon to the magical Cirque de la Glere.

Vallee du Lys, where the road head marks the start of several walking routes. Again, there are many options, including hiking to a number of beautiful mountain lakes or to the Hospice de France.

Val d'Esquierry, noted for its abundant alpine flora and known locally as 'Le Jardin des Pyrenees'. If you walk here in early summer you will see why. A great alternative to the tourist hot spot of Lac d'Oo.

Reserve Naturelle de Neouvielle, part of the Pyrenees National Park. Here you will find granite peaks, the highest pine forests in Europe and beautiful mountain lakes and tarns. There are some excellent paths which climb through splendid valleys adorned with stunted pines (average age of 800 years) and numerous tarns.

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Rock Climbing

Within just a few kilometres, there are several rock climbing sites including:

Troubat, major crag only 2km away, developed for competitions, on open SW-facing hillside with gorgeous views. Grades are mainly 6's to 8's, and the best are the harder ones.

Thebe, adjacent to Troubat, has 15 climbs from grade 4 to 8a on south facing limestone.

Ore, small but nice woodland crag; mainly Grades 6 and 7, with some tufa.

Cierp-Gaud, with bolts, dropped by the roadside. Several tiers, mainly Grades 4 to 6. Some bouldering. The lower tier is one minute from the roadside and has a pleasant base where woodland meets meadow. Saint-Pe d'Ardet, a major crag with Grades 4 to well into the 8's. Faces south but overhangs and trees make shade at various times of the day. There is a wonderful, natural and free plan d'eau - swimming lake/ picnic meadow, only 5 minutes walk away.

L'Espuge, pictured above right, has grades from 7a - 8b - there is a PDF fact sheet accessible from http://igaby.ifrance.com/igaby/

Pic du Gar - situated 25km away and accessible from the summit of the col de Mente. There are 4 areas here with grades ranging from 6a to 7c+ and one at 8.

Bielsa - just on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees but equipped by the French and easily accessible. Here there are two very beautiful cliffs.

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Skiing

St Lary, a great resort with altitudes from 1,700 to 2,515m and 100km of slopes. There are over 53 ski runs (6 green, 24 blue, 14 red and 9 black) with 32 ski lifts (1 cable-car, 1 gondola lift, 11 chair lifts and 18 ski-tows). There is an AFS approved Quicksilver snowpark, family-park, kidpark, mogul stadium and slalom stadium.

Luchon Superbagnères, accessible from Luchon spa town via road or cable car. Ski park and 35km of downhill slopes ranging from 1,440 to 2,260m altitude. One of the smaller ski stations in the area and great for beginners. Cable car provides MTB access during the summer months.

Peyragudes, situated on the famous Tour de France climb of the Col de Peyresourde. With two slopes between 1,600 and 2,400m. Great for skiing and snowboarding.

Nistos, cross country ski station at an altitude of 1,600m, with 8 graded tracks covering over 50km. During the summer months, this is an excellent place to run at altitude.

Le Mourtis, cross country and downhill ski station at an altitude of 1,350m to 1,860m. 22km of downhill runs, 45km of cross country skiing tracks through pine forests, snowpark and luge. Also offers excellent mountain biking during the summer.

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