Meg Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 Hi Planning a holiday for April (ish) and need some help!! Fancied the idea of hiking in the Pyrenees somewhere so have gone and got a map covering Hautes-Pyrenees and Pyrenees-Atlantiques.(Michelin local 342 to be precise!) So basically want to know where the best bits are, any recommendations for guide books or walking routes and where to stay (thinking of camping??). Oh and want to keep price to a minimum! Either that or i'm going to stick a pin in the map and work from there! [:)]Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Katie Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 Hi Lou,We spent summer in the Pyrennees the year before last. It was absolutely wonder with lots of outdoorsy things to do. Taking the cable car up the Pic du Midi is a must but not for the feinthearted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 I live in the Hautes-Pyrenees so am clearly biased!! But would recommend the Cirque de Gavarnie and the area around the lakes in the Massif de Neouvielle. For the latter you can bivouac but not camp right up by the top lakes - in the summer you have to leave your car at the bottom lake and either hike up or take the special bus.Stunning views and lots of fresh airYou can also walk up to the Pic du Midi rather then take the cable car (in the summer - though there's so little snow at the mo that you could probably walk up now too!)There are loads of paths all the way through and along the mountains - depends on your level of fitness etcLou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unknown Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 Oh I'm so jealous, I may just have to join you. I have been to pic du midi in the winter and summer, stunning absolutely stunning.Its such a shame about the snow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meg Posted January 20, 2007 Author Share Posted January 20, 2007 Thank you!! I'm getting excited already.Looks lovely on the map and have been doing an image search as well.Grab your boots Dotty........the more the merrier!! [:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unknown Posted January 20, 2007 Share Posted January 20, 2007 So that's skiing with Katie and hiking with MM. Lets see who else I can tag along on holiday with [;-)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeb Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 We stayed near Nay last September, just south of Pau, and had a fabulous holiday thanks in part to information given by members of this forum. There is loads to see and do. We were actually in the Vallee d'Ossau (if you google it, there is a website) and there are walks everywhere.You could try a gite hire through gites-de-France. Ours was a three epi wonderful old Bearnais house which accommodated 6 (three huge double bedrooms with fantastic views of the pic du midi Ossau) with a high season rent of 270 euros!! pm me if you want details.Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hastobe Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 [quote user="Lou"]I live in the Hautes-Pyrenees so am clearly biased!! ......You can also walk up to the Pic du Midi rather then take the cable car (in the summer - though there's so little snow at the mo that you could probably walk up now too!)Lou[/quote]96 kids from my son's year have just headed off there - for a weeks skiing....don't envy the teachers trying to keep them entertained [Www].Kathie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassis Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 Maybe you could get in touch with Mark and Squidge - they are setting up their B&B there.http://www.lepicvert.comI don't know if they are reconnected to the Internet and email yet, but this early, still at the draft stage, version of their website has loads of very useful links relating to the region.Only one other thought - how do you like The Cure? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patf Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 Eddie ( husband) backpacked from the Atlantic coast to a spot near Foix a few years ago, for 2-3 weeks. He had a marvellous time. He stayed some nights in bothies/shelters/hostels of varying levels of comfort. The rest of the time camping. He said that the biggest problem was finding and carrying sufficient quantities of water. He bought several maps in the series Carte de Randonnees for the Pyrenees, scale 1cm-500m.. Pat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWINKLE Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 You'll love it here Lou - we did in September. Lots of lovely hiking and spectacular views. The camping municipale is very good and the village has good amenities including organic and local produce. There are the famous caves of Massat to visit too.http://www.ariege.com/massat/randonnees/index.htmlI spoke about it on this thread.http://www.completefrance.com/cs/forums/743442/ShowPost.aspxOoops - Midi Pyrènées but close to me so you could pop in for a cuppa[:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meg Posted January 21, 2007 Author Share Posted January 21, 2007 Cheers you lot, made a note of it all, i'll get looking.And Twinks...a cuppa?? what like tea or something??? [8-)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pads Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 I should be out there last 2 weeks of April so twinks you come on down , meg you come on up and we can meet in the middle for a cuppa? (beer) and johnzob can come too. in fact we could have a party.............. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Katie Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 [quote user="Dotty "]So that's skiing with Katie and hiking with MM. Lets see who else I can tag along on holiday with [;-)][/quote]And singing with Twinkle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unknown Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 And singing with Twinkle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meg Posted January 21, 2007 Author Share Posted January 21, 2007 [quote user="Pads"]I should be out there last 2 weeks of April so twinks you come on down , meg you come on up and we can meet in the middle for a cuppa? (beer) and johnzob can come too. in fact we could have a party..............[/quote]Party............now you're talking!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike1958 Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 I share many of the comments already made and also must add that as someone who lives in the heart of the Pyrenees (Bagneres de Luchon) I am somewhat biased. The 1/500 are absolutely ideal though for specific routes with greater detail the 1/250 maps are superb. There is also a great software programme called Memory Map that allows you to view the whole of the Pyrenees at the 1/250 level with the added bonus of aerial photographs, route planning tools and 3D fly pasts of routes that you plan. As we live in an area blessed with some great walks (including the GR10) that cater for all abilities we find that from Spring through to the end of Autumn "Luchon " becomes a magnet for the walking community.Good luck with your plans,Regards,Mikewww.peak-times.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lil40 Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 remember to check the weather and snow conditions up there before you leave.......with snow falling late this year, the season may run late. We were up around La Mongie last April and had to re/route some of our walks. so much to see up there ! I subscribe to Rando Pyrenees and it is full of imfo. If you read any bit of french you could look on the french walking forums........full of imfo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meg Posted January 21, 2007 Author Share Posted January 21, 2007 Cheers Mike and Lil.It did occur to me about the weather at that time of year. We are flexible about dates, so i guess the later on in April the better.Just been having a zoom round on Google earth, great fun!! (I shall have a look into memory map software)Edit: Too late himself has already discovered and downloaded some memory map maps!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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