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Accommodation Details
All of our holidays are based with us in our newly-renovated 300 yr old house in the heart of the high mountain village of Bareges. The house has a 3-star rating from 'Gites de France' (the highest standard in the village). We have five spacious, characterful and well-appointed bedrooms, one of which is a very large two-room suite. Each has an en-suite shower room, and we can offer twin or family (4 to 8 people sharing) accommodation for up to 14 people. As well your room, all our guests have access to the spacious lounge and games room, with a lovely wood-burning stove, well-stocked bar, coffee bar, big-screen home cinema and a computer with internet access. We also have a big dining room and a heated equipment room (for coats, boots and skis), and a sauna - perfect for relaxing tired muscles after a hard day in the mountains!
Departure Dates, Options & Prices
Stage 1:- Saturday - Arrive at Etsaut A comfortable first night in civilisation. Etsaut is a traditional mountain village nestling deep in the imposing Vallee d'Aspe. Sunday - Etsaut to the Refuge d'Ilhe - 5 hours We quickly find ourselves in the high mountains, following the Spanish frontier. Great views onto the Pic d'Anie and the Basque country to the West. Monday - Refuge d'Arlet to the Col du Somport - 5 hours A varied day, beginning in the high peaks and descending through grassy valleys and woodland. At the Col du Somport we take the opportunity to stock up on Spanish goodies at the border! Tuesday - Col du Somport to the Refuge Pombie - 6 hours Circling beneath the awesome Pic du Midi d'Ossau - a real icon of the Pyrenees. The refuge Pombie nestles beside it's own gorgeous blue lake. Wednesday - Refuge Pombie to the Refuge Arremoulit - 5 hours Traversing above the Lac d'Artouste on the airy Passage d'Orteig (weather depending!). A night in the shadow of the towering Balaitous. Thursday - Refuge Arremoulit to the Refuge Wallon - 8 hours Taking the HRP variante Sud through Spain, pass the enormous Respumoso reservoir and over the stunning Col de la Fache at 2664m Friday - Refuge Wallon to the Refuge Bayssellance ** 7 hours We pass beneath the mighty Vignemale and the North Face glacier (optional ascent of the Petit Vignemale, 3032m). Saturday - Refuge Baysellance to the Barrage d'Ossoue - 2 hours - AFTERNOON OFF An early start to cross beneath the Eastern glacier of the Vignemale. Transfer to Luz-St. Sauveur for rest and resupply. Stage 2:- Saturday:- Arrive at Luz-St. Sauveur A comfortable first night in civilisation. Luz is a lively spa village with an excellent icecream shop and bakery! Sunday:- Col des Tentes to the Refuge Goriz via the Faja de las Flores - 8 hours Transfer to Col des Tentes. We soon find ourselves in Spain, on the "lost path" to the Escuzana peak at the head of the Ordesa Canyon. Descending into wild country, we take the awe-inspiring Faja de las Flores - a natural notch in the limestone crags and one of the most unforgettable walks in Europe. Monday: - Refugio de Goriz to Parzan village - 8 hours A spectacular day, taking us beneath the towering lost mountain - Mont Perdu, and deep into the Pineta Canyon. Tuesday:- Parzan to Refugio de Viados - 7 hours A whole day in Spain. We follow the GR11, crossing the Paso de los Caballos at 2314m then descending through woodland to the Refugio de Viados. Wednesday:- Refugio de Viados to the Refuge Soula - 6 hours Beginning on the GR11, we soon re-enter France at the Port d'Aygues Tortes, before descending beside a rushing torrent to the Refuge Soula. Thursday:- Refuge Soula to the Refuge Portillon - 6 hours One of the most beautiful walks in the whole of the Pyrenees; we pass high mountain lakes and cross beneath North face glaciers. Our high point today is the Col des Gourgs-Blancs 2877m, with an optional ascent of Pic Gourdon (3034m). Friday:- Refuge Portillon to Refuge de Venasque - 8 hours Back into Spain and the Valle de Remune. We spend much of today walking beneath Pic Aneto - the highest summit in the Pyrenees at 3403.5m. A final ascent brings us to the Port de Venasque and the refuge sitting beside it's own lake just below. Saturday:- Refuge Venasque to Hospice de France - 2 hours An early start to descend back to civilisation and our pick-up bus waiting at the Hospice de France. Transfer to Bagneres de Luchon train station, or Pau airport.
