Walking in the Pyrénées  In the peak summer months the Pyrénées make for the most idyllic walking imaginable.  Rocky crags and mountain tops combine with sleepy villages and river valleys to make a terrain that is pure delight.  The weather is excellent in the peak summer months and this, combined with a multitude of other attractions in the area, provides the perfect destination for a family walking holiday.  Depending on the age, capability and experience of your children you will find there is a broad scope of walks with different degrees of difficulty and distance.

Cirque de Lys

Location: The cable car leaves from Cauterets village, 30km south of Lourdes via the D921.
General Info: Cauterets website, General information website: www.info-pyrenees.com.

Description:  The cable car will take you from below 1000m to nearly 2000m.  From the top it is possible to take a further chair lift to the Grand Barbat summit for some of the best views and walks in the area.
Our recommendations:  There are many high level walks possible from here.  Make sure you have a good map and are well equipped for possible changes in the weather.  Don’t forget the picnic if it’s a sunny day in high season!
For the children:  They will enjoy the ride to the summit the most.  This trip is not ideal for toddlers, but the rest of the family will enjoy it if they are the outdoor type.

          - Cirque d'Estaube
          - Cirque de Gavarnie
          - Cirque de Lys
          - Cirque de Troumouse
          - Col d'Aspin
          - Lac du Bouillouses
          - Lac de Gaube

Needless to say there is so much walking in the Pyrénées we have only scratched the surface here.  For more information check out the websites listed in the panel below.

Websites on cycling in the Pyrénées (only for real roughnecks!):
http://www.cycling-pyrenees.com
http://www.cycle-rides.co.uk