The Pyrenees Mountains stretch for hundreds of breathtaking kilometres, taking in Spain, France and Andorra. It spans the Catalan and Basque cultures, as well as the French and Spanish. In winter, the Pyrenees are home to a busy snowsports scene, with several top resorts. When the snow melts, it’s time for Pyrenees trekking to take over.
The Pyrenees are covered with hiking trails. The biggest and best of them all is the GR10, which runs the length of the mountain range, roughly following the French-Spanish border on the French side. It starts at Hendaye, on the French Atlantic coast, and ends at Banyuls, on the Mediterranean. To walk its length would take around two months of solid trekking. The trail is tough in places, with climbs up steep and rugged mountainsides, and the option to do some glacier trekking. Mountain huts and gites offer accommodation along the way.
In the Spanish Pyrenees, trek, scramble and climb your way up Mount Aneto, the highest peak in the range. It’s a tough climb, with boulders, rocky ridges and ice to negotiate. It’s best done with a guide unless you have lots of climbing experience, but it’s definitely worth it.
Wherever you go in the Pyrenees, you’ll find deep valleys, dense forests, rocky ridges and snow-capped peaks. It’s wild, gorgeous mountain scenery that rivals anything the Alps can offer. The culture changes as you hop over borders. Trek from village to village and explore their medieval traditions. Culture changes slowly in the mountains.
Take a Pyrenees trekking trip and enjoy the freedom of the mountain wilderness. The Pyrenees are perfect trekking, with lots to see, and lots of space to explore.
