19 March 2025.
Hiking in the Pyrenees is a dream for mountain lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. This guide outlines the key regions in the range and my favourite Pyrenees hiking trails.
Rippling across the border between Spain, France and pocket-sized Andorra, the Pyrenees Mountains span for more than 400 km between the Bay of Biscay and the Mediterranean and hold some of the best hiking trails in Europe.
Back at the start of 2020, a summer hiking trip to the Pyrenees and the beguiling Ordesa Valley sat firmly at the top of my travel wishlist and, well, we all know how that panned out.
It would take another four years to finally begin piecing together the fragments of those plans, but now, after enjoying several weeks in these magnificent mountains, suffice to say I have became slightly obsessed with the place and a return visit is already on the cards for later this year.
The Pyrenees covers an enormous geographic area and is extremely diverse providing a veritable playground for outdoor adventurers with hiking trails that cater to a range of abilities.
From easy forest paths and lofty corniche trails, to arduous boulder field ascents and scree slope traverses that connect cols, peaks and plateaus, there’s something to delight every kind of hiker.
Capturing much of the rainfall from the north, the French side of the Pyrenees boasts lush foothills carpeted in vast swathes of forest that conceal powerful waterfalls and cosy spa towns, while on the sunnier Spanish side, narrow gorges and countless natural pools freckle the puckered green landscapes.
Climb higher to the rugged belt where these borders collide and you’ll discover alpine meadows and fairytale lakes that have inspired and enchanted writers for centuries, barren moonscapes sprayed with rubble that meet gnarled peaks encrusted with ice, and sweeping valleys carved over millions of years of glacial erosion which culminate in triumphant amphitheatres of rock that remain among the most unique and humbling natural phenomena in the Pyrenees Mountains.
Of the more than 100 Pyrenean peaks that soar above 3,000 m, the 10 highest fall on the Spanish side of the range, with colossal Aneto Peak holding the crown. Over on the French side, the dominant spire of the Vignemale takes pride of place and holds the eleventh spot overall.
Wherever you go, it’s impossible not to be moved by the immensity of these landscapes and the raw natural forces that have shaped the stark theatrical beauty of these mountains.
This guide outlines the key hiking regions of the Pyrenees mountains, how to get around and the ideal areas to base yourself, along with my favourite Pyrenees hiking trails.
Each trail listed makes a wonderful standalone day hike but many also fall along the GR10 (France) and GR11 (Spain). These long-distance trails cross the length of the Pyrenees and can also be used to extend your day hike into a fantastic multi-day hut-to-hut hike.
Admittedly, I’ve still barely scratched the surface of what is an enormous region and this list is by no means exhaustive with key massifs like Néouvielle, Montcalm, Valier, Aneto and Posets being notable omissions. But this is the kind of guide I wish I had when planning my own visit, and with plans for a return visit over the summer, I’ll continue adding new hikes throughout the year.
At first glance, it can feel completely overwhelming trying to plan a trip to the Pyrenees.
With spectacular scenery in every direction and countless peaks, valleys and lakes to choose from, how on earth do you begin puzzling together exactly where to go that will do justice to this vast region.
On the French side, the Pyrenees Mountains sprawl across five department, from the Bay of Biscay across the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Hautes-Pyrénées, Haute-Garonne, Ariége and Pyrénées-Orientales which butts up against the Med.
The Pyrenees National Park (Parc National des Pyrénées) is the only national park on the French side and comprises some of the most magnificent natural features of the entire range, such as the Cirque de Gavarnie, the Vignemale, Lac de Gaube, Pic du Midi d’Ossau, the Néouvielle massif and the Brèche de Roland.
There are also two regional nature parks which afford special protections – Parc Naturel Régional des Pyrénées Ariégeoises and Parc Naturel Régional des Pyrénées Catalanes.
In Spain, the range covers four ministries spanning across Basque Country, Navarre, Aragon and Catalonia between the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea.
There are two national parks in the Spanish Pyrenees, the UNESCO-listed Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park which is defined by four enchanting valleys – Ordesa, Pineta, Añisclo and Escuaín – and Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park (yes, it’s mouthful) where the landscapes are studded with dozens of lakes.
There are also several nature reserves, most notably the Parque Natural Valles Occidentales and Parque Natural Posets Maladeta which is plays host to the two highest peaks in the entire Pyrenees range – Aneto and Posets.
So where to begin?
For visits of one week or less, I’d recommend picking one or two nearby areas to explore in depth so as to best maximise your time, rather than jumping from one region to the next every other day.
Though the entire range is spectacular, if you were to pick just one area to focus on for a first visit, I’d suggest the Pyrenees National Park in France (see my French Pyrenees itinerary here) or the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park in Spain, although it’s worth noting that these are also the most popular destinations.
Decent cross-border connections mean these areas could also be combined in the same itinerary.
For further visits, branch out to the Ariégeoises in France, or over the border to Posets Maladeta and Aigüestortes.
There are a handful of small regional airports and major hubs strung along either side of the Pyrenees that will get you into the mountains within a few hours, so where you fly into will really depend on which flight connections you have access to, which region you’re planning to visit, and the cost.
On the French side, Tarbes-Lourdes is closest airport to the Pyrenees National Park, while Biarritz, Perpignan, Carcassonne and Pau also have limited flights from a hodgepodge of European destinations.
Toulouse is the closest major airport, followed by Bordeaux and Montpellier which all lie around 2 to 3 hours from the central Pyrenees and are well connected.
Spain has fewer options with Zaragoza being the most convenient airport for the central Pyrenees, including Valles Occidentales, Ordesa y Monte Perdido, Posets Maladeta and Aigüestortes, though connections are somewhat limited.
Barcelona’s three airports (El Prat, Rous and Girona) serve the most destinations, are located within reasonable proximity to the far east and central mountains (around 1.5 to 4 hours), and often provide the best rates. Over west, Bilbao is another major hub followed by the much smaller San Sebastian and Vitoria which have few connections.
For international visitors arriving from outside the EU, Barcelona’s El Prat airport is generally best overall option.
With stark peaks a constant present on the horizon, the Pyrenees is a place where you can have just as much fun behind the wheel as you can on foot and travelling by car is really the best way to get the most out of your trip.
Personally, I found the Spanish side to be less scenic for driving, but crossing the French mountains was a true delight with numerous spectacular ‘col’ roads, or mountain passes, which are crammed with hairpin bends and epic views across the surrounding chains of peaks.
Though there are more than 100 of these jaw-dropping routes, many of which are favourites of the Tour d’France, Col du Tourmalet, Col d’Aspin and Col d’Aubisque are a few of the best.
That said, with landscapes that are defined by enormous valleys and where narrow, twisting roads are the norm, expect it to take longer to get around than the kilometres and your gps might suggest.
I’d also highly recommend actively navigating along the most scenic roads – the ones that whizz through the mountains along a string of wonky zigzagging lines – rather than simply relying on Google Maps which will almost always divert you along the boring highway routes which are faster but definitely far less exciting.
Also keep in mind that parking can be extremely difficult at the most popular hiking locations and in small villages during peak periods. It’s always a good idea to arrive early, make a plan of where to park before setting out and choosing accommodation with parking available.
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FIND YOUR RENTAL CAR // All the towns and cities listed above offer car rental services from their respective airports and frequently from the downtown area or central train or bus station for those arriving by land.
When researching for my own trips, I repeatedly found Barcelona and Toulouse to have the best deals. I recommend using Discover Cars who offers by far the most competitive rates for the region. Find the best deals here.
In general, public transport is not great anywhere in the Pyrenees with extremely limited services that are often only in operation during July and August.
I’d really only suggest this as a feasible transport option when travelling between the start/end point of a thru-hike, or when using a single village as a base for multiple day hikes.
Even then, your plans will need to be heavily dictated by the available schedules and destinations served and you’ll often be at the whim of just one or two services per day during peak season.
Hopefully in years to come, more options will be added, similar to the network available somewhere like the Dolomites, to assist those travelling without a car, as well as easing congestion and bottle necks in some of the most popular areas.
The best access points for public transport into the central mountains are Lourdes in France, or Zaragoza, Leida and Sabiñánigo in Spain. From there, these are a selection of key hiking routes with workable public transport connections.
Cauterets and Gavarnie – Pyrenees National Park (France)
During the peak summer season, bus #965 travels between Lourdes and Cauterets or Gavarnie (for Cirque de Gavarnie) several times a day (see timetable here), while a shuttle bus connects Cauterets with Pont d’Espagne (for Lac de Gaube and the Vignemale) between June and September (see details here).
Lourdes is connected to Pau, Toulouse and other regional hubs via train and bus (see transport options here).
Torla, Ainsa or Bielsa – Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park (Spain)
Avanza operates a limited bus service between key villages in the Spanish Pyrenees, including centrally-located Ainsa, Barbastro, Sabiñánigo and Torla-Ordesa. From Zaragoza, travel to Sabiñánigo by train and then transfer to a bus for Torla (for the Ordesa Valley) or Ainsa (see timetable here).
Autocares Bergua travels daily between Ainsa and Bielsa (for the Pineta Valley) during July and August, with reduced services for the remainder of the year (see timetable here).
Boí and Espot – Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park (Spain)
For Aigüestortes, ALSA operates buses between Leida and Esterri d’Àneu or Vielha in the north, and El Pont de Suert in the south (see transport options here).
Between June and September, the ‘Park Bus’ carries visitors into the national park and connects the main access points – Boí and Espot – with many of the surrounding villages, including Esterri d’Àneu, Vielha and El Pont de Suert (see details here).
Scattered across the Pyrenees Mountains, there are countless mountain refuges, charming villages and quaint towns to stay.
Refuges tend to be more remote and hold spectacular positions, while larger towns often have the best access to facilities like parking, supermarkets and restaurants. Exactly where you base yourself will depend heavily on which area you chose to explore.
You’ll find no shortage of cosy guesthouses and beautifully situated hotels, though things do fill up over summer so booking ahead is essential.
In France, private apartments are also a common choice and are perfect for longer stays, though a slight quirk is that not all include bedding or cleaning so be sure to read the fine print to avoid getting stung with extra fees.
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Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park
Aínsa has an excellent centralised location that is within a reasonable distance from the national park’s four valleys – Ordesa, Pineta, Añisclo and Escuaín – and is my preference as a base for exploring the wider Ordesa y Monte Perdido area. It also has a charming old town, plenty of facilities and a super helpful information office.
Torla, Broto or Fiscal are closest specifically to the Ordesa Valley, though these become extremely busy and congested during summer. Bielsa is ideal for the Pineta Valley, while Escalona is well located for both the Añisclo and Escuaín.
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Top Accommodation Picks |
Torla-Ordesa | Monte Perdido Albergue | Hotel Abetos | Hotel Bujaruelo
Aínsa | Dos Rios | Los Arcos | Apartamentos El Rincón
Pyrenees National Park
Covering a huge geographic area defined by sweeping valleys and high mountain passes that can make navigation both spectacular and very slow, it’s worth considering which sector you plan to explore when deciding where to stay.
Cauterets, Luz-Saint-Sauveur and Argelès-Gazost are all a decent choice for the Cirque de Gavarnie, Pont d’Espagne, Lac de Gaube and the Vignemale. For the Ossau Valley, Laruns is well-located but has limited options so any of the tiny villages strung along the valley floor, such as Louvie-Juzon, also work.
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Top Accommodation Picks |
Cauterets | Hôtel du Lion d’Or | Hotel les Edelweiss | Les Ruisseaux
Luz-Saint-Saveur | Hôtel Terminus | Les Remparts | La Parenthèse du Tourmalet
Ossau Valley | Gîte d’étape Le Couvent d’Ossau | Auberge La Caverne | Iskö Chalets-Hötel
Ariège Pyrenees
Unlike the other regions, there isn’t really a main hub that lies close to the mountains in the Ariège, rather dozens of tiny villages which speckle the countryside.
Compact Seix-Oust is a good compromise between proximity and facilities with good access to Aulus-les-Bains (for Cascade d’Ars) and Mont Valier, while and Auzat in the east is ideal for the Montcalm massif and several nearby lakes.
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Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park
A single road wraps around fringes of this national park and many of the villages strung around the perimeter would be suitable.
For easy access from the west, tiny Boí-Taüll or the the larger town of El Pont de Suert are ideal, while over east, Espot or the larger Esterri d’Àneu are decent choices.
Pyrenees Mountain Refuges
For those keen to embark on an overnight or multi-day hike, there are hundreds of shelters scattered across the Pyrenees, covering everything from tumbledown huts and basic cabins to well-run mountain refuges where you can enjoy full-board and the occasional hot shower.
In fact, with well-established long-distance trails like the GR10, GR11, Hexatrek and HRP (Haute Randonnée Pyrénéenne) which span the length of the Pyrenees Mountains in both France and Spain, you’ll often find that there are several refuges reachable within a few hours or a day of walking.
For refuges that are manned (or ‘garde’ in French), most offer dormitory-style accommodation, plentiful meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and, if you’re lucky, showers for a fee. Sleeping sheets are essential.
As with most countries in Europe, being part of a mountaineering association will often secure you a discount at the mountain refuges, though not all have reciprocal arrangements. One example is the FFCAM (Fédération Française des Clubs Alpins et de Montagne) which manages a number of refuges in the French Pyrenees and Alps, as well as la Asociación de Correspondencia Mutua de Refugios which is an alliance of federations that cover many refuges in the Spanish Pyrenees.
This website is a good resource that indicates all shelters in the Pyrenees – the pink ones are ordinarily the manned refuges. This website also has a helpful list.
Camping In The Pyrenees
In general, wild camping is not allowed in the Pyrenees Mountains and is a fineable offense, though there are some exceptions.
Numerous designated bivouac areas exist where hikers are permitted to set up camp for overnight use only. These most often lie close to established refuges and have specific restrictions on their location and times of use. Some also require reservations to manage foot traffic and overcrowding.
Other areas have a strict blanket ban on all overnight camping so ensure you check the rules for your area before setting out. As always, please ensure you follow no-trace principals and pack out what you bring in.
As one of Europe’s premier hiking destinations, it should come as no surprise that these mountains are extremely well loved and are teeming with visitors during peak periods.
Weather-wise, summer is ordinarily hot and stable, with a lower chance of rain, especially on the Spanish side, though afternoon storms do occur. This is also the busiest time of year when accommodation and car rental costs peak and book out well in advance.
The sheer volume of visitors also means many of the tiny villages quickly become overwhelmed, with congested streets and nightmarish parking which detracts slightly from the magic.
A prime example is the ordinarily delightful Torla-Ordesa which becomes almost comically chaotic in the height of summer.
Drivers desperately lock eyes with departing hikers or brazenly call out to them in the hopes of snagging their parking spot or, frustrated with the waiting game, throw in the towel altogether and squeeze onto any available fragment of curb space.
Queues of visitors begin to form in the darkness before dawn and when capacity is reached by mid-morning and new arrivals are halted they can extend across the parking lot.
Once you’re in the mountains though, visitors disperse quickly and many trails, particularly the more challenging routes, remain pleasantly free of crowds.
Instead, the shoulder seasons are far more preferable with June and September both being fantastic months for hiking. Temperatures are mild to cool and the trails are reasonably quiet, though there is a higher chance of rain, particularly on the French side at the tail end of Spring. You’ll also enjoy lower prices on accommodation and car hire.
Late May and early October are also workable if you’re planning to stick to the lower altitudes, but expect the high mountain passes to be affected by snow and temperamental weather.
The main downside of an off peak visit is that you’ll have limited services available including access to public transport, but also many restaurants, cafes and bakeries that rely on the tourist trade heavily reduce their hours or close up all together.
All things considered, I would generally recommend avoiding the peak summer months of July and August if you can, with June and September being far more pleasant.
Distance | 25.5 km
Duration | 10 hours
Elevation Gain | 1,596 m
Difficulty | Moderate
Location | Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park
Trailhead | Pradera de Ordesa
Accommodation (Torla + Ainsa) | Monte Perdido Albergue | Hotel Abetos | Hotel Bujaruelo | Dos Rios | Los Arcos | Apartamentos El Rincón
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For avid hikers, the Senda de los Cazadores or ‘trail of the hunters’ is an unbeatable way to experience the Ordesa Valley and was my favourite hike in the Spanish Pyrenees. If you do just one hike in the region, make it this one.
Carved over thousands of years of glacial activity, the Ordesa Valley casts a striking impression bound by vertiginous cliffs that culminate in a dramatic amphitheatre.
The Senda de los Cazadores climbs steeply up the forested valley walls to the magnificent Mirador de Calcilarruego. From this lofty perch, the entire valley unfolds below with a stripe of lush meadows carpeting its base and clusters of majestic peaks standing guard at either end.
In an place of such astounding beauty, that can simultaneously conjure goosebumps, the prickle of ecstatic tears and an ear-to-ear cheshire grin, this is undoubtedly one of the most stirring views on offer.
Perhaps the combination of a 4 a.m. wakeup sans caffeine and the quiet arrival of sunrise bringing an explosion of golden light across the mountains also had something to do with it.
Nature’s theatrics aside, the trail continues along the rocky shelf of Faja de Pelay, weaving through pine forests and beneath soaring cliffs before descending to the gleaming veil of Cascada Cola de Caballo.
Many choose to end their walk here, but better is to continue onto the upper mountain plateau towards Refugio de Góriz which sits nestled beneath the formidable peak of Monte Perdido, the third highest in the Pyrenees, and its powerful neighbouring summits.
The return journey guides you back along the valley floor alongside the surging Rio Arazas and its thread of cascades and turquoise pools, including Gradas de Soasa, Cascada del Estrecho and Cascada de la Cueva.
An absolute highlight of hiking in the Pyrenees and should not be missed!
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TOP TIP | The Ordesa Valley is the single most popular destination in the entire Spanish Pyrenees and for very good reason. During peak periods this place swarms with visitors and there are strict capacity limits to manage overcrowding and environmental damage which are regularly enforced.
Visit outside the July and August peak to avoid the circus, otherwise aim to arrive at 6 a.m. to beat the crowds (and the queues) and be among the first allowed access to the valley. Read this Ordesa Valley guide for more tips.
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READ MORE | Senda de los Cazadores
Distance | 15 km
Duration | 8 hours
Elevation Gain | 1,315 m
Difficulty | Moderate
Location | Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park
Trailhead | Pradera de Pineta
Accommodation (Ainsa) | Dos Rios | Los Arcos | Apartamentos El Rincón
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The spectacular Valle de Pineta forms the easternmost valley in the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park and climbs sharply into the Monte Perdido massif.
The path to the Balcón de Pineta begins alongside the Rio Cinca and ascends steadily through the forest, emerging above the tree line to the roar of the impressive Cascada del Cinca.
Onwards, the relentless climb continues weaving back and forth across more than 100 switchbacks that cut through grassy ledges, steep scree fields and tiny streams to reach the balcony perched on the precipice.
The Balcón de Pineta rewards hikers with expansive views over the valley and its endless belt of forest wrapped in staggering giants.
If you can tear yourself away, desolate moonscapes await as you venture across the plateau where the hulking beast of Monte Perdido and Pico Cilindro dominate the skyline, their rumpled walls draped in snow and glacial ice.
As you approach the French border, the beautiful Ibón de Marboré springs into view. A small turquoise lake tucked away in a bleak rocky basin beneath a string of craggy peaks.
The distinct gap of Brèche de Tuquerouye is unmistakable on the opposite bank with a near vertical path leading through the void to Refugio Tuccaroya.
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READ MORE | Balcon de Pineta + Ibón de Marboré
Distance | 9.4 km
Duration | 3.5 hours
Elevation Gain | 790 m
Difficulty | Easy to Moderate
Location | Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park
Trailhead | Nerín
Accommodation (Ainsa) | Dos Rios | Los Arcos | Apartamentos El Rincón
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The Cañón de Añisclo is one of the four main valleys that carve up the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park.
Its sculpted walls are steep and rugged, like the ruffled folds of a slightly ajar clam shell when viewed from above, defined by alternating strips of ochre-stained cliff and forest with the Bellós River rushing far below.
Though not quite as mind-boggling as Ordesa and Pineta, Mondoto Peak or Pico Mondoto is a lovely, shortish walk that brings you directly onto the epic cliffs that border the Añisclo Canyon.
From the tiny mountain village of Nerin, the route ascends along a parched rubbly trail that swings around the base of the Tozal de Escuaín table top and onto a vast grassy plateau which connects to the Monte Perdido massif further north.
This trail, however, darts to the east and continues climbing towards the beak-like summit of Mondoto Norte perched on the edge of the canyon at 1,959 m.
A short way further along, pushing through clumps of stunted bushes and slabs of rock, you’ll reach the slightly lower summit of Mondoto Sur where the proud and powerful Sestrals soar above the opposite flank.
While other trails course through the base of the canyon, peering down into the dramatic ravine provides a unique perspective on these wildly impressive landscapes and the processes that shaped them.
Distance | 14 km
Duration | 5 hours
Elevation Gain | 772 m
Difficulty | Moderate
Location | Pyrenees National Park
Trailhead | Bious Artigues
Accommodation (Ossau Valley) | Gîte d’étape Le Couvent d’Ossau | Auberge La Caverne | Iskö Chalets-Hötel
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The magical Tour des Lacs d’Ayous guides you past six beautiful alpine lakes (collectively referred to as the Lacs d’Ayous) which lie cradled beneath the Pic d’Ayous on the plateau opposite the iconic Pic du Midi d’Ossau.
Setting off from the artificial Lac de Bious-Artigues, the route cuts through the forest to the Pont de Bious and onto the grassy slopes that flank the valley where dewy meadows sprawl beneath the knobbly forms of Castérau and Paradis.
With a magnificent wall of spiky Pyrenean peaks framing the distant horizon, you’ll pass the mirror-like Lac Roumassot, a small cascade and tiny Lac du Miey before arriving at Refuge d’Ayous and the shimmering expanse of Lac Gentau, the most famous and picturesque of the sextet.
This is where you’ll find the iconic view of the Pic du Midi d’Ossau rising above a calm natural pool.
Onwards, Lac Bersau marks the highest point of the hike before the trail pitches sharply downwards and cuts between Lacs Castérau and Paradis.
Descending steeply from here via a rocky switchback trail with the Pic du Midi d’Ossau towering ahead, return to the valley floor carved by the delicate serpentine thread of the Bious River and continue across the vivid green pastures to complete the hike.
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TOP TIP | The Tour des Lacs d’Ayous is a stunning standalone hike, but eager hikers should consider tackling the Grand Tour de Pic du Midi d’Ossau (see below) which combines the Tour des Lacs d’Ayous and Tour l’Ossau to create an unbeatable circuit around both the lakes and the peak.
The route can be completed as a long, challenging and incredible day hike or split over two to three days utilising the refuges en route. Learn more in this guide.
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READ MORE | Pic du Midi d’Ossau + Lacs de Ayous
Distance | 25 km
Duration | 10 hours
Elevation | 1,660 m gain
Difficulty | Difficult
Location | Pyrenees National Park
Trailhead | Bious Artigues
Accommodation (Ossau Valley) | Gîte d’étape Le Couvent d’Ossau | Auberge La Caverne | Iskö Chalets-Hötel
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Alongside the Senda de los Cazadores, the Grand Tour de Pic du Midi d’Ossau is a top contender for my favourite hike in the Pyrenees (so far!) and should be on every hiking lovers French Pyrenees itinerary.
If you’re fit and experienced, with plenty of snacks, good weather and long summer days at your disposable, it’s feasible to complete this trail in one go and makes for a fantastic but challenging all day adventure.
Alternatively, it can be split across two to three days by staying at the mountain refuges, or completed as two separate day hikes – the Tour des Lacs d’Ayous (see above) and the Tour l’Ossau which skirts around the Pic du Midi pinnacle.
Following on from the Tour des Lacs, this route ascends steeply from the Pied des Arazures junction on the valley floor, climbing through forests and grassy slopes to the shallow basin of Lac de Peyreget nestled beneath the rugged southwest face of the Pic du Midi d’Ossau.
Next up is the most difficult section of the hike – a 550m rock hop and scramble through a boulder field to reach the Col de Peyreget, the highest point of the entire circuit.
After a daunting climb, the pass does not disappoint with exceptional views overlooking the Brousset Valley and a backdrop of impressive peaks
From here, a sharp and rocky descent brings you past two beautiful pools, through a short section of rockfall and alongside the turquoise Lac de Pombie to Refuge de Pombie sheltered below the gnarled walls of the Pic du Midi.
Finally, the hike crosses another stretch of rockfall and crosses the saddle of Col de Suzon to enter the picturesque Magnabaigt Valley where cascades, grazing horses and a leafy beech grove accompany the steady descent back to Bious-Artigues.
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READ MORE | Pic du Midi d’Ossau + Lacs de Ayous
Distance | 16 km
Duration | 6 hours
Elevation Gain | 746 m gain
Difficulty | Easy to Moderate
Location | Pyrenees National Park
Trailhead | Pont d’Espagne
Accommodation (Cauterets) | Hôtel du Lion d’Or | Hotel les Edelweiss | Les Ruisseaux
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The combination of Lac de Gaube and the majestic Vignemale makes for another show stopping Pyrenees hiking trail.
The beautifully constructed stone bridge of Pont d’Espagne is a worthy starting point for the hike, where the Gaube and Marcadau Rivers converge and powerful cascades surge across the rocky terrain.
Mesmerising Lac de Gaube can be reached in just an hour along an easy forest trail that weaves between tall confers draped in scraggly threads of lichen.
Cradled beneath towering peaks, the mint-coloured expanse of the lake is a mirror of the vastness that surrounds it, climbing into the sheer glacier-encrusted spire of the Vignemale.
It’s no wonder this enchanting setting captured the imaginations of some of the Europe’s most influential writers and is woven through the worlds they create on the page.
Push on around the right bank of the lake and continue up the spectacular Vallée de Gaube, through a boulder field and sprawling meadows, beside a string of waterfalls and aqua pools, to Refuge Oulettes de Gaube located at the base of the immense Vignemale massif.
Soaring to 3,298 m, Grand Vignemale is the highest peak in the French Pyrenees, alongside an impressive line up of adjacent summits, with the glaciers of Oulettes and Petit Vignemale cascading across their northern facade.
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READ MORE | Hiking Lac de Gaube
Distance | 6.4 km to 22 km
Duration | 2 to 9 hours
Elevation Gain | 373 m to 1,593 m
Difficulty | Easy to Moderate
Location | Haute-Garonne
Trailhead | Granges d’Astau
Accommodation | L’Auberge d’Astau | Hôtel La Rencluse
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On its own, Lac d’Oô is a wonderful, easy, family-friendly trail, but also offers the potential to extend your hike to nearby Lac d’Espingo and Lac Saussat or Lac du Portillon which lies concealed higher up the valley.
Feeding out from Granges d’Astau, the trail skirts around the lush cow-speckled pastures that blanket the valley floor before entering the forest and climbing steadily along a wide zig zag path to a charming stone bridge which carries you over the churning Neste d’Oô to reach the artificial lake tucked away in the mountains.
Framed in vertical emerald cliffs that gush with cascades, the deep, midnight blue pool of Lac d’Oô is like something out of a fairytale. But it is the powerful, single-drop waterfall of Cascade d’Oô, a gleaming veil that tumbles over its southern precipice, which steals focus and adds even more to the magic.
Those pushing on to Lac d’Espingo can continue around the left side of the lake, following the steep, twisting trail over the pass and into the next step of the valley to reach the lake and Refuge d’Espingo in around 1.5 hours.
Lac du Portillon is a far more challenging feat only recommended for experienced hikers.
The route continues its ascent past Espingo into the mountains where large boulders and rock slabs dominate the landscape until you arrive at the southern shores of Lac du Portillon surrounded by a spectacular backdrop of austere peaks that form the natural border with Spain.
Either return the same way for a long arduous day hike, or consider overnighting at the Refuge du Portillon.
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READ MORE | Hiking Lac d’Oô
Distance | 7.5 km return
Duration | 4 hours
Elevation Gain | 702 m
Difficulty | Easy to Moderate
Location | Pyrenees National Park
Trailhead | Gourette
Accommodation (Ossau Valley) | Gîte d’étape Le Couvent d’Ossau | Auberge La Caverne | Iskö Chalets-Hötel
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Crossing the ridiculously scenic Col d’Aubisque between Cauterets and Laruns is one of the great Pyrenean drives where the chiselled Pic de Ger massif towers above a forested basin and the Gourette ski town, setting the scene for the straightforward half-day hike to Lac d’Anglas.
Beginning on the outskirts of Gourette, the trail climbs gradually through the verdant Vallée du Valentin, taking in lush beech forests clung with spongey moss, gurgling cascades crowded with bunches of lilac heath and bushes flush with wild blueberries that make a delightful treat as you make your way towards the Cirque de Congues.
Overhead, the impressive serrated ridge of Crête du Pène Sarrière commands the western flank opposite a chain of equally remarkable mountains that collectively stand guard across the valley.
The sharp final ascent brings you past the Cascade d’Anglas and onto the plateau where you’ll find the inky blue pool of Lac d’Anglas framed in greenery and an arena of jagged peaks with the relics of the historic Mines d’Anglas strewn about the landscapes.
Lac d’Anglas is a perfect short hike for those looking to break up the journey between Cauterets and Laruns, but can also be extended by pushing over the ridge to Lac d’Uzious or creating a more difficult full-day circuit that includes Lac d’Lavedan, Sanctus Peak and Lac d’Louesque before swinging back into the Vallée du Valentin.
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READ MORE | Hiking Lac d’Anglas
Distance | 14 km
Duration | 6 hours
Elevation Gain | 903 m
Difficulty | Moderate
Location | Ariège Pyrenees
Trailhead | Aulus-les-Bains
Accommodation | Auberge Du Haut Salat | Jardin Bleu | Le Jardin de Moulis
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Compared with the stark rocky mountain-scapes showcased by many of the hikes on this list, the foothills of the Ariège Pyrenees are wonderfully leafy and make a delightful change of pace.
Hemmed in stones coated in brilliant green moss and shrouded in foliage, this path ascends alongside the Ars River and a ribbon of cascades directly to the base of Cascade d’Ars, one of the prettiest waterfalls in the region which plunges over the escarpment in three distinct stages.
The falls are most impressive in spring when the rivers swell with snowmelt or after heavy rainfall.
As a standalone option, this is among the easiest of these Pyrenees hiking trails, though for a more dynamic walk, consider adding the detour to Étang de Guzet which continues up the valley and creates a beautiful circular hike.
This longer route scrambles above the cliff line via up a rubble switchback path where a grassy clearing sprawls about the river and welcomes you into the upper reaches of the Ars Valley (… insert bemused chuckle here).
Swinging along the western flank, the path continues its climb to the saddle of Col du Guzet where you’ll be rewarded with lovely views before descending sharply towards the small pool of Étang de Guzet encased in forest.
Low lying cloud and thick mist are frequent visitors here, creating a wonderfully atmospheric setting as you return to the charming spa town of Aulus-les-Bains.
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READ MORE | Cascade d’Ars + Etang de Guzet
Distance | 7.9 km to 9.4 km
Duration | 2.5 to 4 hours
Elevation Gain | 251 m to 499 m
Difficulty | Easy to Moderate
Location | Pyrenees National Park
Trailhead | Gavarnie
Accommodation (Luz-Saint-Saveur) | Hôtel Terminus | Les Remparts | La Parenthèse du Tourmalet
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Carved over thousands of years of glacial erosion, the UNESCO-listed Cirque de Gavarnie is one of the most remarkable natural features in the entire Pyrenees range, home to the tiered Grande Cascade de Gavarnie, the highest waterfall in France, and a dazzling amphitheatre of cliffs that soar to a height of 1,500 m and form the natural border with Spain where the magnificent Ordesa Valley lies in wait on the opposite side.
The powerful and enchanting Cirque de Gavarnie should be included in every first-time visit to the French Pyrenees, except, it would seem, my own.
In the lead up to my trip, localised flooding within the Gavarnie Valley caused severe road and track damage and was closed for public safety which, unfortunately, meant I was forced to scrap my plans for area.
While the cirque hikes have since reopened, keep in mind that other roads and trails in the area are still undergoing maintenance.
There are three trails into the Cirque de Gavarnie that travel via the Main Path or chemin principal, the Espugues Cornice and the Bellevue Plateau which was the route I had intended to complete.
The main path is the classic, easy option which follows a wide well-trodden track along the valley floor to the Hôtellerie du Cirque, while the Espugues Cornice is the most challenging route, ascending sharply from the valley floor and wrapping high along the eastern wall of the valley towards the cirque.
Finally, the circular Bellevue Plateau trail climbs gradually up the western flank of the valley to lush meadows that present enviable views of the cliff face and its waterfall before returning to the valley floor.
At the far end, it’s also possible to tack on a slightly more difficult detour to all three hikes which brings you to the base of the majestic Grande Cascade in around half an hour.
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TOP TIP | Along with the Ordesa Valley and Pont d’Espagne, Cirque de Gavarnie is arguably one of the most famous attractions in the Pyrenees and is extremely popular in summer so arriving early to beat the crowds and, more importantly, secure a parking spot is essential.
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