PRESS RELEASE Across the Pyrenees from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean THE PYRENEAN HAUTE ROUTE Key information The HRP high-level trail Published Apr 2019 by Tom Martens By Tom Martens Few mountain ranges are as evocative as the Pyrenees, its peaks rising to £17.95 3000m, forming an imposing physical border between France and Spain. The 344pp landscapes of the region are as varied as they are beautiful, from the rolling Paperback Gloss Laminated with flaps green foothills of the Basque Country to high-alpine lakes overlooked by mighty karst peaks. Of the three major routes that traverse the Pyrenees from ISBN: 9781852849818 coast to coast, the Pyrenean Haute Route (or HRP for Haute Route Pyrénéenne) is the most challenging - and arguably, the most spectacular. • Spectacular and challenging trekking through the highest and best of the This guide presents the Pyrenean Haute Route in 44 day stages, which are Pyrenees divided between five sections: since each section starts and finishes at a • Includes variants avoiding the most location accessible by public transport, they can be walked individually if you difficult terrain, plus ascents of ten classic don't have a spare month-and-a-half for a complete thru-hike. Although the Pyrenean summits, including Pico de route offers excellent opportunities for wild camping, each stage finishes at a Aneto, the highest mountain in the mountain hut or village, meaning that you can sleep under a roof every night Pyrenees if you prefer. Clear route description is accompanied by 1:100,000 mapping. There are bad weather variants and alternatives to avoid the most technical For further information, or to receive a sections, and the guide also includes optional ascents of 10 classic summits, review copy please contact Hannah including Vignemale, Pic du Taillon and the highest peak in the Pyrenees, [email protected] Pico de Aneto. You'll also find helpful advice on travel to and from the route, 01539 587985 equipment and safety. From the Atlantic resort of Hendaye to Banyuls-sur-Mer on the Mediterranean, countless unforgettable experiences await you. Camp beside a crystal-clear mountain lake. Take a lunch break among the wildflowers of Andorra or pause to watch the raptors soar among the mighty peaks. Watch the sun rise over the sparkling Mediterranean as you near your journey's end. With highlights including the pristine lakes of the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, the Ossoue glacier on Vignemale and the dramatic Cirque de Gavarnie with its towering cascade, the Pyrenean Haute Route deserves its place among Europe's classics. What's inside? • the 750km coast-to-coast traverse of the Pyrenees in 44 day stages • details of mountain huts and other accommodation, plus recommendations for bivouacking sites • variants avoiding the most challenging terrain and optional ascents of ten classic summits About the author Tom Martens grew up in Belgium. He first visited the Pyrenees in 2008 and has been back every year since: he has hiked extensively in the national parks and has traversed the whole length of the Pyrenees several times. So far, he has spent 300 nights in the Pyrenees, mostly bivouacking. Other regions he enjoys exploring include Scotland and Estonia, where he currently lives. Juniper House, Murley Moss, Oxenholme Road, Kendal, LA9 7RL www.cicerone.co.uk - Contact [email protected] - Or call 01539 587982.