Vielha e Mijaran walks

This is the shortest road route from France for climbing Aneto in a (long...) day, without camping or staying in a mountain hut.

The hike starts from the car park near the "Sauth deth Pish" waterfall, after 9 km on a tarmac track. After seeing the pretty waterfall on the left as you arrive, the route starts by heading towards the bottom of the valley. There is a first, slightly steep climb through the woods, then you come out into a treeless area. The difficulty lies not in the elevation gain, but in the section between the end of the forest and the bridge that takes you to the other side, which runs along the side of the mountain on a fairly narrow path. However, if you take care, it's easy to navigate. You then come out onto a tarmac track for the descent, which is admittedly less pleasant and has a few cars passing by, but I wouldn't have done it the other way round.

A lovely loop from Espitau de Vielha via Tuc deth port de Vielha (2,606 m), the magnificent Lac Redon (2,230 m), Coret deth Redon (2,454 m) and finally Lac de Rius (2,320 m). It goes up and down, and the slopes are quite steep. Very rocky landscape. Hike done in summer. Lac de Rius, which is pumped in summer and during periods of drought, can see its level drop by several metres, which detracts a little from its charm.

A classic in the Val d'Aran, an ascent to Lake Besiberri via the Val de Besiberri with magnificent views of the Besiberri, the Sèrra del Molar Gran and the Aneto.

This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful hikes in the Pyrenees. The climb is long and difficult, but the panoramic views will make you forget your aching legs. Once past the azure blue Boums du Port, the Port de Venasque fault offers the most beautiful balcony overlooking the Maladeta and its lord, the Aneto. The Port de la Picade with its superb panoramic views, the Pas de l'Escalette and the Crabidès ridge complete this unforgettable hike.

This hike is not particularly difficult, apart from a slightly steep climb during the first kilometre, and offers superb views of the Luchonnais mountain pastures (sheep, cows, horses), the climb to Vénasque and the Crête de la Pique.

A beautiful route that is less frequented than those of the Étangs de Boums du Port de Vénasque or the Pic de Sauvegarde. The climb takes place in a pleasant valley, shaded in the morning. From the Soum de l'Escalette (2,466 m), the 360° panorama is magnificent. The descent begins with a beautiful ridge trail that offers magnificent scenery all along the way. This is an easy hike with fairly regular and moderate slopes for the most part.

A challenging circular route starting from the Hospice de France.Head to the Port de Vénasque – Ascent of the Pic de Sauvegarde via the Spanish side – Return via the Pas de l'Escalette.At the Pic de Sauvegarde, breathtaking 360° views, from Bagnères-de-Luchon to the Pic d'Anéto.

A beautiful, easy hike across the Campsaure plateau, offering a magnificent 360° panorama from its summit, the Entécade, over the Maladeta massif and notably the Aneto, the highest peak in the Pyrenees.

You might think that this summit lacks character compared to its neighbours, but what a route from the Hospice de France! Magnificent lakes such as Lac de la Montagnette and Lacs de Vénasque. While the approach walk to Cirque de la Glère is suitable for walkers, the Montagnette valley is reserved for experienced hikers who enjoy steep slopes with aerial passages.

A very beautiful hike in one of the most charming areas of the Luchonnaises Pyrenees. The view of Aneto from Port de Vénasque alone is worth the hike. The descent to Cirque de la Glère offers some thrills to spice things up. A very beautiful high mountain route that will delight lovers of altitude and beautiful mountain lakes.

A demanding hike through the Cirque de la Glère to the Port de la Glère, via the family-friendly Chemin de l’Impératrice. Magnificent views from the pass over Aneto and the Maladeta massif. Option to descend to Ibón de Gorgutes to cool off after the climb.

A lively village in the Val d'Aran, discover the valley via a pleasant circular route starting from Bossost, passing through Bausen and returning via the other side of the Garonne. There is a slight climb at the start up to Bausen. There are numerous viewpoints overlooking the peaks surrounding the valley.

A lovely, fairly challenging hike offering views of the Pyrenees.Part of the hike is along the border ridge. A good sense of direction, a GPX track and a map are strongly recommended.

This challenging hike, situated in the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park, takes you to discover the Estanys de Anglios, a magnificent series of high-altitude lakes located off the beaten track of the Aigüestortes National Park’s main routes. The first section, mostly through woodland, follows the GR® 11 and leads to the Estany Gran, an ideal spot for a picnic break. The rest of the route requires a good sense of direction and experience of navigating difficult terrain with few landmarks. Nevertheless, the various lakes you’ll encounter and the beauty of the scenery will easily make you forget these challenges: torrents of all sizes, lakes with crystal-clear waters, enchanting woodland and an exceptional natural cirque.

Starting from the Jouéou valley, this high-mountain hike takes you to the magnificent Cirque de la Glère, whose slopes, furrowed by numerous small streams, are dominated by the ridge marking the border with Spain and the Pic du Sacroux. Once at the Col de la Glère, an easy descent on the Spanish side leads to the Lac des Gourgoutes. A little further on, on the shoulder of the Pic de la Glère, the view over the Aneto and the Maladeta massif is a wonderful reward.

This route around the Colomèrs lakes allows you to explore part of the magnificent Aigues Tortes (Les Encantats) National Park. Flowers, rhododendrons, torrents and streams, and peaks offering breathtaking views over all the lakes await you. This hike is suitable for those with some experience of mountain walking; less experienced walkers may choose to skip the two peaks on the route (Tuc de Ratera, 2,860 m – not covered on Day 1 – and Tuc Gran de Sendrosa, 2,703 m, on Day 2). The route is classified as difficult due to its length and the steep slopes on Day 1, as well as the summit on Day 2. The route can be extended by starting with a night at the Colomers mountain hut, which will allow you to complete a longer loop around the lakes of the same name before reaching the Saboredo mountain hut.

A lovely walk featuring a fairly steep climb to the Port de Ratera, but no other difficulties. Magnificent scenery of lakes, pine trees and rhododendrons (early in the season). A good overview of the Aigues Tortes park and the Encantats.

No particular difficulty and a beautiful hike. There is a taxi service that will take you from our departure point to our arrival point for €5 per person. It is not possible to drive your car to the arrival point for the start of the lake hike.

This is the second stage of this four-stage loop in the Encantats. There are numerous lakes between these two refuges with beautiful ascents and descents. No technical difficulties, but some scree that is not very pleasant.

This easy hike takes you past a dozen or so lakes in the Cirque de Colomèrs, which has around thirty in total, some identified and others unnamed. The landscape is magnificent, combining pine undergrowth carpeted with rhododendrons and large areas of rounded rocks dotted with lakes of all sizes fed by crystal-clear torrents. On the way back, a stop at the Colomèrs Refuge allows you to conclude this circular route by enjoying the Estanh Major, into which multiple waterfalls flow. A summary of the Aygues Tortes and San Maurici National Park in all its splendour.

The Colomèrs lake circuit is a massif of mountains arranged in a circle, protecting some fifty lakes ("estanhs") in its bosom. The slow erosion of frost during the Ice Ages has left an inescapable landscape: a high mountain area with high, steep peaks of around 3,000m, such as Creu de Colomèrs, Gran Tuc de Colomèrs and Tuc de Ratera.

This is a beautiful circuit in the Val d'Aran, through the Vaqueira mountains to Naut and Baish de Bacivèr Lakes.Although it's a short loop, it requires an established fitness level to climb the first half of the route.The effort will be rewarded by the arrival at Lac Naut de Bacivèr, the highest point of the hike.

Starting from Pont de Ravi, near Bagnères-de-Luchon, this circular walk takes you past the Hospice de France and the Cabane du Campsaure on the plateau of the same name, and ends with a walk through a splendid beech forest.

A very beautiful hike in Spain, south of Vielha. There are numerous lakes: this is the largest concentration of lakes in the Pyrenees. The peaks are around 3,000 metres high and almost all are only accessible by mountaineering. The refuges are pleasant but small, so it is essential to book several months in advance.

This is the first stage of a four-day circuit in the Encantats. It is the shortest stage and can be completed in an afternoon, but it is best not to arrive too late at the large refuges so that you can choose your bed and not have to wait too long for a shower.

Second day of the Petit Tour de Biros.From the refuge, head due east along theGR®®10to the junction at the foot of the dam (passed the previous day).Continue uphill along theGR®®10. Reach a fork at the Col de la Serre d’Araing.Head left for a round trip to the Pic de l'Har. A stunning 360° view.Then descend via theGR®®10to the Mines de Bentaillou.Head north and follow theGRP®® to the Col de la Catauère (Plateau de Rouge).Then head down theGR®®10to Eylie.This stage is only feasible when there is no snow, from late May until the mountain huts close or the first snowfall begins.

Une mise en jambe sympathique, à travers la forêt tout du long, pour découvrir la vallée. Plusieurs points particuliers, passerelle, tour, cascade et fontaine, émaillent le parcours, dont une surprenante Fontaine d'Amour qu'il ne faut pas rater (bien faire attention au panneau) pour commencer à comprendre l'histoire de la région.

Third and final stage of the short Tour du Biros.The return route follows a very interesting and well-marked path, passing through Col des Cos.A lovely hut with a new roof, open to the public, is available at this pass as a new hut has been refurbished for the shepherd(s). There is also a water source at this spot.A very beautiful descent until you reach the GRP® Tour du Biros.Pass by the lovely Passerelle des Pichès footbridge.You pass through the hamlets of La Peyre and Frechendech before arriving at the car park.This stage is only possible when there is no snow, from late May until the mountain huts close or the first snowfall begins.

Second day of this trip to the Refuge d’Eylie. A day not to be underestimated.Classified as difficult due to an average gradient (slope) of 24% from (1) to (3). Afterwards, the GR®10 access trail – GRP® Tour du Biros – is very narrow, poorly maintained and at times dangerous due to low-lying, slippery rhododendrons: it is a north-facing slope. There are moments of respite in the woods, where the path is fairly wide and very well signposted. From the Col des Cassaings onwards, conditions improve. The highlights of this balcony trail are the numerous viewpoints from (3) to (4) and from (4) to (6).After at least 6 hours’ walking, including breaks, with 900 m ascent and 1,150 m descent, the arrival at the Ostal du Biros in Bonac is a welcome relief. From there, it’s a 25-minute drive along a very quiet road back to Sentein (E).

Combine mountain hiking with discovering industrial heritage.This valley has a significant mining heritage, and the succession of reminders of this during the climb, dotted with ruins and twisted, rusty scrap metal, evokes the past importance of the heart of our mountain range.

A magnificent viewpoint over the high peaks of the Couseran. An easily accessible summit, passing by the old Bentaillou Mines and the Étang d’Araing. Please note: the return route via the Col de Clos requires a basic knowledge of navigation (especially in bad weather).

The highest point in the Val d'Aran and Couserans, Maubermé is often overlooked in favour of Mont Valier. However, unlike Valier, the path climbs steadily and pleasantly to Port d'Urets (and its small hut where you can spend the night), then becomes a little steeper to reach the summit, which may prove a little difficult for those who are not used to it.

A magnificent snowshoe hike in Luchon, starting from the picturesque village of Artigue. Spectacular views are guaranteed throughout the walk, taking in all the 3,000-metre peaks of the Luchon region and the Maladeta.

Tour of the barns and huts of Artigue, making a large circular loop through the summer pastures via the PR® and GR®10 trails. Pass through Plan de Montmajou and the border markers to Col des Taons de Bacanère. The return journey takes you past two huts and the Cigalère State Forest. A very pleasant hike in the gentle autumn sunshine with beautiful views of the peaks and 3,000-metre summits of the Luchonnais, sometimes whitened by the first snows.

This easy hike will allow you to discover Artigue, a charming village in the Luchonnais region, beautiful forests and a superb panorama of Bagnères-de-Luchon surrounded by its 3000m peaks, all on very different paths and trails.