Although the Pyrenees is a relatively young mountain belt, the range does contain rocks that are much older than those of the.The oldest rocks in the Pyrenees date from the Hercyian Orogeny, which occurred around 500 million years ago. Over the next 200 million years, the ancient mountains formed during this period eroded away and became covered by a shallow sea.Around 220 million years ago, a change in direction of plate movement caused the collision of two continental plates (The Iberian Peninsula with Europe) which led to the uplift of the Pyrenees.The initial mountain building began in the Eocene period which the majority of the uplift and deformation occurring in the Oligocene period. The Pyrenees Mountains, located in, form a natural border between.
Graphic maps of Pyrenees. Each angle of view and every map style has its own advantage. Maphill lets you look at Pyrenees, Victoria, Australia from many different perspectives. Start by choosing the type of map. You will be able to select the map style in the very next step.
The mountain range stretches 450km between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. It is an unexplored and wild area which features high peaks, often exceeding 3000m above sea-level.The range is home to Pico d’Aneto, which is Spain’s third highest mountain. Glaciers can also be found in the mountain range, but unfortunately, they are receding due to climate change.You will also find beautiful lakes and villages within the mountain range. The climate of the Pyrenees Mountains varies as you move from east to west.
Precipitation, both snow and rain, is far greater in the western Pyrenees than the eastern Pyrenees due to the moist air that blows over the Bay of Biscay from the Atlantic Ocean.The mountain range has an average winter temperature of -2 degrees Celsius. Snow can be observed at least 50% of the time at altitudes above 1600m between the months of December and April.The annual snow-line varies from 2700-2800m above sea-level.
The Pyrenees Mountains have a large number of endemic species across both fauna and flora.The lower mountains in the west are characterized forests and the extent of which decreases as you move eastwards. The east can be described as being wild and more barren, where granite masses prevail.In the west the plant life is similar to that of eastern Europe, whereas the east has more Mediterranean plant life.The Pyrenees have nearly as many endemic plant species as the Alps. These species include; the Xatardia, which only grows on a high alpine pass between Val d’eynes and Catalonia, there are also several species of Saxifrages which grow abundantly.There are also very interesting animal species that are endemic to the area. The Pyrenean desman is found only in some of the streams of the northern slopes of these mountains.
The Pyrenean euprocte lives in streams and lakes at high altitudes.There are also blind insects in the Caverns of Ariege and the Pyrenean brown bear, which has been brought back from the brink of extinction. The Pyrenees offer some of the.Hiking in the Pyrenees is an absolute must for those who want to experience true adventure in this wild and unexplored stretch of mountains.The best time to hike is very much dependent on the area as weather conditions can vary a lot within the range itself.
Late spring and summer months are the best to hike in the west when there is not as much rain whereas, spring and autumn are ideal months for hiking in the east.While hiking, there are a number of different accommodation options; ranging from hostels, campsites and rustic huts.There are also a number of companies offering guided hiking, but it is absolutely up to you on whether or not you would like an experienced guide or if you want to brave the outdoors independently. The Pyrenean Haute Route is yet another coast-to-coast trail along the Pyrenees, it is a great option for someone who wants to walk alone.The route is 800km long and takes around 45-days to complete. There are some challenging sections to be aware of, sparse waymarking, lack of trails and snow can create a problem.In fact, the Haute Route is considered to be the most difficult trail between the three trails mentioned thus far and it is recommended that it is only tackled by fit, experienced trekkers with good navigation skills. The highest mountain in the Pyrenees, tempts the conquering spirit of mountaineers all around the world.Stand at the very top of the Pyrenees Mountains and enjoy the stunning beauty of your surroundings.As mentioned previously, Pico d’Aneto is also home to Spain’s largest glacier, which may be another reason you would want to tackle this hike up to the summit.Although not incredibly difficult, there are some dangerous areas, so this hike is not recommended for the casual walker.The hike should take you around 5 hours to reach the summit and 6 hours to descend.
You will need to be prepared with the proper hiking and mountaineering gear, to ensure you reach the summit safely.
From the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, from France to Spain and back again…
Legend has it that Hercules could not resist seducing Pyrène, the beautiful daughter of the King of Cerdagne (a high plateau in the Catalan Pyrenees), before leaving on a new mission. Despaired by her lover’s departure, Pyrène chased after him but was devoured by wild animals. Hercules, on learning of this tragedy, built a tomb for his loved one and piled it high with great rocks, thus forming the Pyrenees…..
What a dream to traverse this great chain of mountains; to join and mix the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea in one unforgettable adventure; to discover, step by step, the infinite variety of flora and fauna, landscape, geology and climate that make up the Pyrenees; to walk in the steps of famous Pyreneeists, climbing great summits and crossing historic passes used as escape routes during the Spanish Civil war, and WWII….
We are attempting to make this dream come true !
In 2018 we are offering four weeks trekking, starting at the Atlantic Ocean and finishing in Gavarnie, in the central Pyrenees. For the first two weeks (which follow the famous GR10 on the French side) you can start any day and finish any day, joining Sacha as he treks eastward. Each itinerary indicates where you join or leave the trek and the means of transport. The third week must be done in one stretch as there are no road heads where you can leave the group. For the fourth week, two three day sections are offered.
Friedrich Parrot completed the first Trans-Pyrenean route in 53 days in 1817. His exploit was followed by many others, but Georges Veron made this trek popular by describing it in topoguides, stage by stage. There are three main paths possible on the French side of the range: the foothill path or ‘Chemin des Piemonts‘, the middle- mountain GR10 path and the Pyrenean High Route (HRP).
We have chosen to follow the GR10 for the first two weeks, then we switch onto the Pyrenean High Route as refuges allow us to stay high. In week four we make a detour into the Ordesa Canyon, and we then plan to continue on the Spanish side and the GR11. We also offer ascensions of some of the higher summits along the way where the conditions suit.
We would love to take you right across the Pyrenees…if you should choose! But of course, you can simply take on a trek one week at a time, choosing the sections you find the most attractive, or those that suit your schedule…and see if the bug pulls you back the following year!
Traverse 1: Atlantic Ocean to Iraty
Starting with a swim, as one must, we set off on the start of our great adventure. A grand traverse switching back and forth between France and Spain and staying high. As little civilisation as possible, aside from the ever present grazing herds and shepherds, the ancient pastoral civilisation of the Pyrenees. This first week we remain in the Basque country and finish by climb the first 2000m summit, Pic Orhy, as we come from the west. We pass through St Jean Pied de Port, classic starting point for the pilgrims heading to Santiago de Compostella and finish in the Iraty forest – the largest beech forest in Europe. On this section you can join or leave the walk any day. Check the itinerary for details.
Traverse 2: Iraty to Ossau
We leave the Basque country and arrive in the Béarn in the mythical Ossau Valley, home of bears and beautiful sheep’s milk cheese, via the stunning Pic d’Anie and the Ansabère needles. The village of Lescun, surrounded by its cirque is another highlight. On this section you can also join or leave the walk on any day you choose. We finish at the Bious Artigue lake before descending to Laruns for the night.
Traverse 3: Ossau to Cauterets
This section of the trek is one of the most spectacular – we walk around the mythical Pic du Midi d’Ossau before heading past the Balaïtous, crossing into the beautiful Respumoso Valley and back into France to the Marcadau Valley, again into Spain and down the Gaube Valley to the Pont d’Espagne. This section must be done as a complete week as we are in refuges every night and don’t come down to a village, or road, at all.
Traverse 4: Cauterets – Gavarnie via Ordesa
We diverge off the standard HRP to take in the spectacular and unmissable Ordesa Canyon, and the Mont Perdu World Heritage Area. This week also includes the Pyrenees’ most famous glacial cirque, Gavarnie, and the spectacular Gaube Valley. We pass from France to Spain and finally back to France at the end of the week. On this section you can join in Cauterets (France) and leave in Torla (Spain), or join in Torla and finish in Gavarnie. If you’d like one of these 3 day options remember that you need to cross the mountains with all your possessions – there are no bag transport options!
Dates 2020:
On demand for a group of 4P or more.Price:1110€pp for Traverse1, 1010€pp for Traverse 2, 3 & 4. Includes seven nights hostel/refuge accommodation, all meals, six days guiding, transport to start and end of trek from the nearest town where there is a bus connection – we will let you know what this is.