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.

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.

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.

Vall d'Aran, a very wooded and green valley which is geographically part of France, but politically Spanish. Here you will find the source of the great French river, the Garonne. In the tributary valleys, there are many beautiful walks, amidst changing scenery from the green valley floor, through pine covered hanging valleys and deep gorges to glistening, secluded mountain tarns scattered high amongst granite peaks.

There is also a reminder of the mineral mining activities that once took place here between the 18th and 20th centuries.