The Pyrenean High Level Route
A remote and challenging high level traverse of the Central Pyrenees

The complete Pyrenean High Level Route runs for over 600 miles from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, following the entire length of the range. It travels along the spine of the mountains staying as high as possible and rarely descending low into the valleys.

To follow the whole route takes in excess of six weeks so we have devised an itinerary which travels the most scenic and spectacular section of this High Route from the pretty village of Etsaut across a series of tough passes and through the spectacular Ordesa Gorge to the Cirque de Gavarnie. This tremendous amphitheatre is the most famous feature of the Pyrenees and its impressive cliffs rise in a magnificent sweep of 1300 metres from the valley floor. The Pyrenees are one of the last remaining wilderness areas in Europe. The range forms the border separating France from Spain and, although not as high as the Alps, they are much less developed and consequently provide much more of a wilderness experience. Our walk lies mostly in France but where the route requires, we occasionally cross onto the Spanish side of the range. This is a truly remote walk, during the course of which we stay overnight in a variety of excellent mountain refuges situated high up in the mountains. The scenery is rugged and unspoilt, and our walk culminates with a trek up the Ordesa Gorge, through the Breche de Roland and down through the Cirque de Gavarnie which, taken together, provides without question the finest walking in the entire range.

Grade
Tough

Insurance Premium
£50

Duration
10 days

DAY 1 Toulouse – Etsaut
Assemble at Toulouse airport arrivals hall where our guides will be waiting to meet you with vehicle transport. International flights are not included within the trip price advertised in the brochure, but we can arrange these for you with any one of a number of airlines, depending on your preferred departure point. We then drive to the pretty village of Etsaut situated in the heart of the Pyrenees. The 150 mile journey takes approximately three hours and on arrival we check into a local Gite d’etape.

DAY 2 Refuge d’Ayous
After breakfast we complete our packing and shoulder our rucksacks for the first time. The weight of these will depend on how ruthless we have been with our packing, and in particular with eliminating non-essentials. Remember, we will be taking most meals in the high mountain refuges so we won’t need to carry much food, apart from some snacks to eat during the day. And all bedding is provided in the refuges so we don’t need to carry sleeping bag or thermarest. Experienced backpackers ought to be able to pack everything required for the journey and be under 10 kgs rucksack weight. Our destination for the first night is the pleasant Refuge d’Ayous which we reach by following a sensational path through the Gorges d’Enfer.

DAY 3 Refuge de Pombie
From Ayous we have an easier and shorter day to reach the large Refuge de Pombie situated at the foot of the Pic du Midi d’Ossau (2884m). From the lakes at Ayous we descend along the GR10 path which eventually enters thick woodland before emerging by the river Bious. We then follow the right bank of the river and ascend through the Bois des Arazures, climbing past the small Cabane de Peyreget. The path climbs at a more gradual rate until we cross the small Col de Peyreget (2208m) and finally descend to Refuge de Pombie. The refuge is situated by a small lake in a tremendous position beneath the south face of the Pic de Midi d’Ossau. This will only be a short day and we can spend the afternoon relaxing around the refuge or ascending one of the easy peaks which lies above.

DAY 4 Refuge de Arremoulit
Refuge de Pombie to Refuge Arremoulit is a much longer day but thankfully it begins with a long downhill section, following the Ravine de Pombie along its course until it reaches the minor road at Soques. We cross this road and then commence a long but gradual ascent up the valley of the river d’Arrious which eventually brings us to the Col d’Arrious (2259m). A sweeping panorama opens up from here with great views across to the glaciers of Balaitous (3144m), one of the highest peaks in the Pyrenees. In the distance below us lies the Lac D’Artouste which in warm weather offers a great place to take a swim 250 metres above this is the Refuge Arremoulit, our destination for the evening. There are two routes we can choose from the reach the refuge. The more direct, but adventurous route is known as the Passage d’Orteig, which involves some easy scrambling, and if conditions permit we will follow this route. The Refuge Arremoulit is a large building which accommodates up to 45 walkers and climbers and is dramatically situated below the West Face of Pic Palas.

DAY 5 Refuge de Wallon
Today is a demanding hike which will take us up to the frontier ridge with Spain, and for a large part of the day we will be walking on the Spanish side of the range before crossing back into France. It involves some spectacular and magnificent walking and we will want to savour the outstanding scenery. From the Arremoulit refuge we enter the hanging valley which rises above it and make the steady but steep climb up to the Col du Palas (2519m). This pass is actually on the frontier between France and Spain and as we descend on the southern side we are actually entering Spanish territory. The route now crosses a steep area of scree, shattered rock and boulders and we will need to follow a line of cairns which marks the best route across this section. We descend to the Lacs D’Arriel and from there pick up a path which takes us to the large Refuge Respomuso (2100m) We then re-ascend to the border and the Col de la Fache (2664m) which returns us to France. This is a superb section of high level walking amid some of the rockiest scenery the Pyrenees has to offer. From the col, which is prominently located on the shoulder of the Grande Fache (3005m), we can see our destination for the evening. The ascent of the Grande Fache is a superb excursion and involves no technical difficulty. From here we descend down to the valley and the comfortable Refuge Wallon, located in pleasant pastures and woodland in the pretty upper Marcadau valley. The large refuge provides a good meal service and is idyllically located with fine views of the nearby Vignemale.

DAY 6 Refuge Baysellance
From Wallon we make our way down the Marcadau Valley until we reach the Pont d’Espagne. From here we then follow a superb path along the floor of the Vallee de Gaube before a final steep ascent takes us to the Refuge Baysellance, the highest wardened hut in the Pyrenees. On the way to the pass there are splendid views of the great walls that overlook the Vallée de Gaube, and from it the splendour of a new valley system is revealed as you gaze towards the Cirque de Gavarnie.

DAY 7 Refuge Bujaruelo
From Baysellance we zig-zag our way down to the valley floor, eventually cutting over to the Vallee de la Canau which leads us up to the Col de la Bernatoire and the Spanish border. After a rest by the small lake, giving us a chance to admire the views, we make the descent into the Rio Ara valley. Bujaruelo is a pleasant hamlet in the Rio Ara valley were we will spend the night.

DAY 8 Refuge Goriz
From Bujaruelo our transfer vehicle picks us up and we make our way through Torla from to one of the great sites of the Pyrenees - the Ordessa Canyon. This Grand Canyon of Europe has steep walls of 1.000 m and beautiful forest. It's a Natural Reserve since 1918, and there is much to see of the geologic history. This stunning walk follows the main path at the bottom of the canyon before reaching the Circo de Soasa and the final stiff climb up to the Goriz hut at the base of the famous Monte Perdido mountains

DAY 9 Gavarnie
Today provides some superb scenery. We ascend to the Breche de Roland, the vast chasm in the wall of the cique de Gavarnie. Legend has it that the hero Roland, the nephew of the great Charlemagne, attempted to break his sword on the rock rather than have it fall into the hands of the ‘Saracen’ army in 788; but instead of the sword breaking, the rock wall split, thus enabling Roland to escape. Geological fact is more prosaic. Standing at the crest of the Breche, we can look back across the Spanish Pyrenees and the plains of Spain before descending over this barren landscape into France, down the very steep rock side of cirque de Gavarnie. Not for the faint hearted! We then follow the wooded valley along riverside that takes us down to the village of Gavarnie and our hotel accommodation - a chance for showers, cold beers and a proper bed! In the evening we can look forward to eating out in one of the cosy village restaurants.

DAY 10 Return to the UK
Transfer back to Toulouse for our flight home.