The Pyrenean High Route – The PHR

TREK OVERVIEW The French are a mountain walker’s delight - and far less crowded than the Alps. On this trip we take you deep into the heart of the mountains where you will chance upon cool forests and sparkling tarns set in delightful surroundings, often close to awe-inspiring rock peaks and gleaming snowfields. Any journey through the High Pyrenees inevitably involves some nights in huts and has a wilder feel to it than walking in the Alps. Our journey has been designed to show you the highlights of the High Level Route whilst using comfortable hotel accommodation where possible. After a night in the historic town of Pau, this walk starts by passing the stunning Pic du Midi and takes an excursion into a wild corner of to arrive in the pleasant town of . From here we follow the High Level Route past the Vignemale to the Cirque de Gavarnie and the Cirque de Troumouse, finishing our walk in the mountain splendour of Barroude.

Participation Statement Adventure Peaks recognises that climbing, hill walking and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.

Adventure Travel – Accuracy of Itinerary Although it is our intention to operate this itinerary as printed, it may be necessary to make some changes as a result of flight schedules, climatic conditions, limitations of infrastructure or other operational factors. As a consequence, the order or location of overnight stops and the duration of the day may vary from those outlined. You should be aware that some events are beyond our control and we would ask for your patience.

101 Lake Road, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0DB Telephone: 01539 433794 www.adventurepeaks.com [email protected]

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE/FITNESS there are plenty of places where you can purchase food If you are used to regular multi day hill walking you will and snacks to carry with you, or on some days we may have the right level of fitness to fully enjoy your time on stop at a bar for lunch if the group prefers. this trek. Previous walking experience and a head for heights is essential to ensure you get the most out of this ACCOMMODATION trip. Most days involve 5 - 7 hours walking plus plenty of Overnight accommodation is mostly in simple but rest stops. comfortable hotels. Four nights are spent in remote mountain refuges, Twin-bedded rooms are usually GROUP AND LEADERS available in the hotels, but dormitory accommodation is A fully qualified UK leader will accompany all groups. On normal in the refuges. this trip you may be joined by walkers who have booked with other agencies.

WEATHER In the Pyrenees in August the weather is normally fairly hot and rain usually passes away quickly. The main problems are heat and dehydration, although, because we are at altitude, the atmosphere is usually quite pleasant. There are often storms in the evening, and temperature inversions are frequent. It can be cool around huts in the evening, when a lightweight fleece is recommended.

WHAT TO CARRY This is a backpacking trek and is predominantly unsupported. There are still some regions where this is the only way to (economically) experience the beauty of the remote mountains – and this is one of them! Therefore you will need to carry all your belongings with you most of the time. Your main bags will however be transferred to Cauterets and Gavarnie. With careful packing and using modern lightweight clothing, your backpack should not weigh more than 10kg at the most, and you will NOT have

LANGUAGE AND TIME Language: French Time: GMT+1 (CET). No daylight saving time at present.

HEALTH All our UK leaders hold first aid certificates and carry a fully equipped first aid kit for medical emergencies. However you should bring your own supplies of plasters, blister prevention pads (Compeed), Paracetamol etc. and any medication you are taking. There are no compulsory vaccinations for . Consult your GP or a vaccine specialist for professional advice or refer to this website: www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk. Tap or stream water should never be drunk without first sterilizing with chlorine dioxide tablets or by boiling.

INSURANCE to carry camping, cooking or sleeping gear. If you are Insurance which covers mountain rescue, evacuation and unsure about your ability to carry this amount we suggest medical expenses is essential. We will require a copy of you join one of our ‘Backpacking Training’ weekends in your insurance prior to departure. Your standard travel the Lake District to test yourself out. insurance should be sufficient for this trip as there is no technical climbing and we do not go above 4000m. CATERING ARRANGEMENTS Three course evening meals are provided each evening, with a continental breakfast in the morning. Dinner is usually between 7.30 and 8.00pm. We ask that you pay for any drinks the same night. We do not provide lunches as

101 Lake Road, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0DB Telephone: 01539 433794 www.adventurepeaks.com [email protected]

ALTITUDE CURRENCY If you are new to altitude you may have concerns about the The currency France it is the Euro. You should take a effects. Don’t worry because our itineraries allow supply of Euros cash with you. ATM’s and change sufficient time to acclimatise, and altitude rarely causes bureaux are available in airport and in main towns. anyone any problems on this trip. The best way to avoid such symptoms is to walk at a gentle steady pace and drink TIPPING plenty of fluid. Tipping at meals and in hotels is normal practice. On this trip there are no local staff who will expect to be tipped. USEFUL TIPS Just in case your main luggage goes missing en route, it is ADVENTURE PEAKS KIT BAG a good idea to wear your boots on the plane. Most other All Adventure Peaks clients who reside in the UK will things can be replaced but comfortable, well worn-in boots receive a FREE kitbag for any treks outside the UK. The cannot. Pack important items in strong plastic bags. bag will be posted to you approx. 3 weeks prior to your departure. If you have travelled with us before and already EQUIPMENT have an Adventure Peaks kitbag, or reside outside the UK, A detailed equipment list is provided on booking but we will send an alternative gift. normal summer walking equipment is all that is required. For equipment purchases Adventure Peaks offers a 15% FLIGHTS AND JOINING ARRANGEMENTS discount from their shop in Ambleside or online. Flights are NOT included as part of this holiday. Budget flights are available to Pau (Ryan Air from Stansted) or BAGGAGE Toulouse (Jet2 from Leeds). Sometimes very cheap deals For your own comfort travel light. Normally airlines can be found. Other flights and routes may also be restrict baggage to 20kg, but you should be carrying far available. less. On trek you will need to carry ALL your personal The rendezvous for this trip is the HOTEL IN PAU at equipment, as explained above. 1900 on Day 1. Normally most people arrive on the same flights and we VISAS AND PERMITS will be able to arrange a private transfer to the hotel. If you Visas for entry into France are not required by nationals of arrive at a different time you will need to make your way the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand to the hotel in Pau using public transport. and most EU countries. Return flights should be booked no earlier than the afternoon of Day 15 to allow time to get back to the airport LOCAL COSTS from the hotel in Pau. All accommodation and most meals (not lunches) are included; please see the itinerary page for full details. PLEASE ENSURE YOU DO NOT PURCHASE Additional costs would include any drinks or snacks YOUR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL (FLIGHTS OR outside of mealtimes and personal spending. OTHER) UNTIL WE HAVE GUARANTEED YOUR TRIP IS RUNNING.

101 Lake Road, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0DB Telephone: 01539 433794 www.adventurepeaks.com [email protected]

THE PYRENEAN HIGH ROUTE – THE PHR ITINERARY

No Day Today we... We stay at... Accommodation... Meals... 1 Sat Travel to Pau Pau Hotel D 2 Sun Transfer and trek Refuge de Pombie Mountain refuge BD 3 Mon Trek 2 Refuge d’Arremoulit Mountain refuge BD 4 Tue Trek 3 Refuge Respumoso Mountain refuge BD 5 Wed Trek 4 Refuge Wallon Mountain refuge BD 6 Thu Trek 5 Refuge Wallon Mountain refuge BD 7 Fri Trek 6 Refuge d'Ilheou Mountain refuge BD 8 Sat Trek 7 Cauterets Hotel BD 9 Sun Trek 8 Refuge Baysellance Mountain refuge BD 10 Mon Trek 9 Gavarnie Hotel BD 11 Tue Trek 10 Gavarnie Hotel BD 12 Wed Trek 11 Héas Basic Hotel BD 13 Thu Trek 12 Refuge de Barroude Mountain refuge BD 14 Fri Trek 13 Pau Hotel BD 15 Sat Travel home Home Own bed! B

Day 1 Arrive in the historic and attractive town of Pau. steep climb follows to the Hourquette d’Ossoue and the Rendezvous at the hotel in the evening. highest hut in the Pyrenees. In the afternoon we can make an ascent of the Petit Vignemale (3032m). Day 2 We travel by minibus to Lac de Bious-Artigues. An interesting afternoon walk over the Col de Peyreget Day 10 (The Petit Vignemale can be ascended if not done (2208m) then takes us to Refuge de Pombie. the day before). We descend the long Vallée d'Ossoue past the snout of the Vignemale glacier and Russell's caves to Day 3 An exhilarating day’s walk across some spectacular overnight in Gavarnie. country including the exposed but easy crossing of the Passage d’Orteig to the Refuge d’Arremoulit situated Day 11 A short taxi ride to the Port de Boucharo and then delightfully beside a lake. the climb to the Brèche de Roland, an impressive notch in the frontier ridge. This involves crossing snow patches and Day 4 A good walk through some wild mountain country some awkward scree. From here we should have time to takes us over the Port de Palas into Spain. climb the Taillon (3144m) before returning past the Refuge de la Brèche and down to the Port de Boucharo, to Day 5 A climb to the Col de la Fache followed by an easy meet our transport that will take us back to the hotel. scramble to the summit of the Grande Fache. Our first 3,000m summit! Day 12 A steady climb leads over the Hourquette d'Alans (2420m) and into the Cirque d'Estaubé. We continue past Day 6 A spare day to explore the beautiful upper the Lac des Gloriettes to Héas. Marcadau valley and perhaps bag another peak. Day 13 A long but rewarding day, walking up into the Day 7 A superb walk past several lakes to reach the wild, massive Cirque de Troumouse, then crossing the Refuge d’Ilheou, nestled beneath the peak of the Grand Hourquette de Héas (2606m) before dropping down to the Barbat. Refuge de Barroude, sheltered beneath its mountain wall.

Day 8 A half day walk down from the mountains and back Day 14 An optional ascent onto the frontier ridge, into civilisation in the old ski resort of Cauterets. A chance followed by a straightforward walk out down the Vallon to relax in the afternoon and get set for the second half of de la Géla to meet transport back to our hotel in Pau. the trip. Day 15 Depart Pau and head home. Day 9 Today's walk takes us past the beauty spot of Lac de Gaube, with views of the Vignemale drawing us on. A

101 Lake Road, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0DB Telephone: 01539 433794 www.adventurepeaks.com [email protected]