French Pyrenees: Parc National des Pyrénées & Cirque de Gavarnie.

Backabush is returning to the French Pyrenees!

The Pyrenees is a vast and spectacular range of peaks stretching from the shores of the Atlantic Ocean all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. The mountains form a natural frontier between Spain and France and offer us some of the finest mountain scenery in Europe!

Our plan is to follow part of the famous GR10, a route which in full traverses the entire length of the Pyrenees range. The section which we will be hiking includes some of the trail's most impressive landscapes and magnificent views.

Our route will take us from the town of Cauterets up to spend the night in a mountain refuge at the foot of Vignemale, the highest peak in the French Pyrenees (3298m). We will walk alongside glaciers and over a mountain pass where we will have the option to summit Petit Vignemale which stands at a not so petit 3032m high.

From there our trail takes a winding descent into the village of Gavarnie where we will stay for two nights and have the chance to explore the gigantic amphitheater that is the Cirque de Gavarnie. Described as the 'Colosseum of nature' this is a horseshoe of cliffs that towers over a kilometre above the valley floor.

After our first night in Gavarnie we will hike up to the rim of the Cirque to see another highlight of the Pyrenees, La Breche de Roland, a natural cleft in the rock walls of the French-Spanish border that provides a window into the Ordesa National Park on the other side of the range.

Our final hiking day continues from Gavarnie along the GR10 on less demanding terrain with views behind us stretching miles up the valley. We will finish the trip where we started, in the comforts of our hotel in Lourdes.

This itinerary involves 4 full days of trekking in a high mountain environment along challenging routes. There will be steep ascents and descents, on rough terrain. For this reason the trip is best suited to fit, well equipped hikers.

ITINERARY:

Wed 18th- Arrive in Lourdes and check into Hotel Lutetia

Thurs 19th- Transfer to Cauterets by bus, hike up to Refuge Oulettes des Gaube

Fri 20th- Continue along the GR10 with optional 3000m peak, then into Gite Oxygene, Gavarnie

Sat 21st- Circular day hike into the Cirque de Gavarnie and up to La Breche de Roland, finishing back at the gite

Sun 22nd- Hike from Gavarnie down the valley on the GR10, catching a bus back to Lourdes at the end of the day to celebrate

Mon 23rd- Explore the town of Lourdes and fly home

WHAT IS INCLUDED:

2 nights at Hotel Lutetia (twin/triple rooms)
1 night in Refuge Outlettes de Gaube at 2151m (dorm rooms)
2 nights in Gîte Oxygene (dorm rooms)
5 Breakfasts
3 Evening Meals
Financial protection in accordance with the Package Travel Law 1992.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:

Flights - Currently under £100
Airport transfers - Short local bus journey
Local buses to/from our hike
Lunches - We can pick up supplies in Lourdes and Gavarnie
Alpine Guides - see Important Note below

Flight details:

• OUTBOUND - Wednesday 18th September
Ryanair flight FR522
Departs - 14.10 London (Stansted)
Arrives - 17:10 Lourdes

• RETURN - Monday 23rd September
Ryanair flight FR523
Departs - 16:35 Lourdes
Arrives - 17:35 London (Stansted)

To confirm your place on this trip please send payment. The account details are:

Account Name: BACKABUSH XPLORERS
Sort Code: 090127
Account Number: 22440622

IMPORTANT NOTE:

We consider safety to be our number one priority and while we never take unnecessary risks, we do recognise that any outdoor activity involves a danger of personal injury or death. It is important that you are aware of and accept these risks, you should not undertake anything beyond your own abilities. It is also your responsibility to be correctly equipped for the weather and activity you have chosen to participate in.

On this trip you will be a part of self guided walking group accepting responsibility for your own safety in the mountains. Our organisers will be joining the hikes and have lots of experience walking in the mountains but will not be acting as guides. All members, including our organisers, have a duty of care to look after each, just as we would on a walk with friends in the UK.