Walking in the Pyrenees National Park

Tour Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Multi Centre Walking | With a mix of loop and point-to-point walks stay 2 or 3 nights in one place which offers the chance to slow down and really explore a destination.

Activity Level & Terrain

This tour has a moderate grading.  As you are walking in the high Pyrenees there will most definitely be some elevation gains and losses. On Day 3 there is a significant elevation loss as you take a cable car up to a peak and then walk down from there. However we do provide an alternate walk in the valley for this day if you do not want to take a walk with such a large elevation loss or if you are travelling  outside of the dates when the cable car runs (see availability).   These walks have been put together specifically so that most people in good physical shape can do them. So although you are in the mountains they are still only moderate. The terrain is a combination of dirt or rocky trails, country tracks and lanes or tarmac country lanes.

Navigation

Some of the walks will be way-marked with either a red and white GR sign, when on a GR Trail and some also signed with yellow signposts. Together with use of our Macs Adventure smartphone app and GPX tracks, you will have no problem finding your way.

• 7 Nights accommodation in comfortable hand-picked 3* hotels
• 7 Breakfasts
• Luggage transfers
• Day 1 Transfer from Lourdes Train Station to Cauterets
• Day 8 Transfer from Luz St Sauveur to Lourdes Train Station
• Day 4 Transfer to Viscos
• Detailed information pack, route notes, maps, GPX tracks and access to the Macs navigation app
• 24/7 telephone support from our UK office

• Travel insurance (required)
• Travel to Lourdes
• Travel from Lourdes
• Lunches & Dinner
• Drinks and snacks
• Taxi transfers or public transport should you need to skip a stage
• Personal equipment

• Private transfers
• Additional nights before, during and after the walk

When To Go

We would encourage you to travel anytime during the available dates which is mid-May until the end of September. In the spring there will be plenty of wildflowers, summer is warmer but should never be really hot, especially when you are in the mountains and September is a fantastic time to go when the trails are quieter. 

Please bear in mind that the Cirque du Lys Cable car only runs from approximately the second week in July until the first week of September. Therefore if you want to include the Cirque du Lys walk on Day 3 you will need to travel within these dates. For cable car and local bus timetables please see your information pack. You can start your tour on any day of the week during the season, subject to availability.

Getting to the Start

Included in the cost of this tour is a transfer on Day 1 from Lourdes Train Station to Cauterets and on Day 8 from Luz Saint Sauveur to Lourdes Train Station. The best airport to fly into is Toulouse. Make your way from the airport into central Toulouse by an airport shuttle bus or by train. You may then board a train from Toulouse to Lourdes. Direct trains are approximately every 2 H and the journey takes about 2.5 H. Please let us know what time you would like to be picked up both on Day 1 and Day 8 so we can time these transfers accordingly. Please check the SNCF website for train details.

Getting from the End

From Luz Saint Sauveur, an included transfer brings to the railway station in Lourdes. From where you can make your onward journey by train. Check SNCF for train details. 

Luggage Transfer

Your bags will be transferred with you on Day 4 from Cauterets to Viscos, where you will begin your walk. Your luggage will then be taken on to the hotel in Luz Saint Sauveur. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.