8 day trip : from 3rd to 10th august 2008
This trek for the advanced walker will take us to two of the greatest sites in the Pyrenees. For 4 days, we will walk in the area of Neouvielle, after which we will join Gavarnie to discover some of the greatest cirques in the Pyrenees.
The Nature Reserve of Néouvielle is a parched landscape of granite dotted with numerus lakes and pine trees clinging to the steeps, it's an enchanting site not to be missed.
Gavarnie is a gigantic limestone cirque and its waterfall 500 meters high is an imposing place of humility. We will climb as far as the "brèche de Roland" one of the highest mountain passes known for its mythological stories. From this boarder between two countries we will be able to admire the panoramic view of both sides. We will also explore the cirque of Estaube and Troumouse which are just as magnific.
The zone which we will visit during the week is in the Pyrenees National Park. We will have the opportunity to discover its rich flora and preserved wildlife.
With a strong-living mountain culture and tradition we will soak in the way of life and atmosphere of this exceptionl country.
The cost of this origional excursion is 590 Euro per person, this includes the cost of all accomodation, meals, organization and guide for the week. Transport to Lourdes (the destinated arrival town in France), and individual insurance are at your expense. However, help can be arranged for you to find good flight deals.
The Nature Reserve of Néouvielle is a parched landscape of granite dotted with numerus lakes and pine trees clinging to the steeps, it's an enchanting site not to be missed.
Gavarnie is a gigantic limestone cirque and its waterfall 500 meters high is an imposing place of humility. We will climb as far as the "brèche de Roland" one of the highest mountain passes known for its mythological stories. From this boarder between two countries we will be able to admire the panoramic view of both sides. We will also explore the cirque of Estaube and Troumouse which are just as magnific.
The zone which we will visit during the week is in the Pyrenees National Park. We will have the opportunity to discover its rich flora and preserved wildlife.
With a strong-living mountain culture and tradition we will soak in the way of life and atmosphere of this exceptionl country.
The cost of this origional excursion is 590 Euro per person, this includes the cost of all accomodation, meals, organization and guide for the week. Transport to Lourdes (the destinated arrival town in France), and individual insurance are at your expense. However, help can be arranged for you to find good flight deals.
Details :
- Climate : In general the weather is fine and sunny. The altitude may cause the evenings to be fresh therefore prepare to have warm clothes along with a raincoat, in case of rain storms.
- Level : this is my most difficult trek. It is accessible to people in good physical condition. They will consist of six to nine hours of walking every day, with a difference in altitude between 500m and 1400m. For Gavarnie, we will walk light, carrying only a small rucksack with water, meals for the day and warm clothes. However, for the four day trek in the Neouvielle, our bags will be heavier as they will contain all the necessary items for the 4 days.
- Accommodation : we will sleep in mountain hostels in the Neouvielle. In Gavarnie, we will stay in the same confortable hostel for the four last days.
- Meals : We will have breakfast and diner in the place where we sleep. Where necessary, an assistant will prepare good meals for us. During the day, we will take a packed lunch of dry and fresh fruit, salad, meat, cheese, and more…
- Transport : The gathering will be on Sunday at the train station in Lourdes at 13:00. The trek will finish Sunday at 17:00 in Lourdes. We will arrange between my car and those of participants to bring us to and from the valley.
- Material to remember : a sun-hat and a warm hat, a light pair of trousers, comfortable hiiking shoes, a warm jacket, a rain-jacket; evening sandals, a small rucksack, sun glasses, sun cream, a knife/penknife, a water container, and a small first-aid kit.
I
have a first-aid kit but it is important that everyone takes
responsibility to bring their own personal first-aid consisting of:
normal plasters and those which protect blisters, painkillers eg;
asparin, an internal antiseptic, an antidiarrhoretic, eye drops and any
personal medication you normally take.
Itinerary (which is subject to change):
- Day 1 : Altitude range : + 800m 3 hour walk.
Our meeting point will be at Lourdes train station at 10
am; we will take the direction of Artigues (close to La Mongie). We
will prepare our bags for the next 3 days; instruction and presentation
of the route to be taken along with a picnic lunch. At 1 pm we will
head out on foot towards the refuge of Campana de Cloutou.
- Day 2 : Altitude range : + 550m - 650m 6 hour walk.
This is a mignificant walk in the most wild area of the
naturel reserve with lakes and steeps full of beauty. We will join our
hostel for the night at Oredon.
- Day 3 : Altitude range : + 1100m - 800m 7 hour walk.
We will walk between the biggest lakes of the
reserve : Oredon, Cap de Long, Aubert, Aumar, ... We will climb as far
as the mountain pass "hourquette d'Aubert" for a magnificant scenic
view, from here on to the mountain pass " hourquette de Mounicot" where
we will descend towards our next mountaintain refuge at
Glère.
- Day 4 : Altitude range : + 875m - 1750m 8 hour walk.
Leaving our baggage at the refuge we will climb the
nearby summit "Turon du Néouvielle" (3025 m) where an
exceptional panorama will await us. We will climb down between the
dotted lakes as far as the refuge. On taking our bags again we will
continue the downward descent as far as the valley of Barège. We
will take a quick car ride as far as Gavarnie where we will stay for
the night.
- Day 5 : Altitude range : + 670m - 670m 5 hour walk.
To allow our muscles to breath and relax we will
take it easier, with a more peaceful walk, yet just as wonderful as the
other days. We will climb the plateau of Bellevue to admire the
greatness of Gavarnie's cirque which we will explore at closer range
before taking another path along the mountain edge to join the village
of Gavarnie.
- Day 6 : Altitude range : + 530m - 1450m 6 hour walk.
We will take a bus ride as far as the mountain pass
of Boucharo. We will walk as far as the famous brêche de Roland
(2807 m). The great doorway between France and Spain, an idol of
mythological ledgends, this site will offer us an incredible view of
both sides of the mountain. We will descend as far as the village by
the path of Sarradets, right in the middle of the Gavarnie cirque.
- Day 7 : Altitude range : + 1450m - 1150m 9 hour walk.
By the valley of Espuguettes, at the foot of
Marboret, we will climb the peek of Pimene 2801 m. We will join the
"hourquette d'Alan", from here, we will descent into the valley of
Estaube as far as the lakes of Gloriettes.
- Day 8 : Altitude range : + 780m - 780m 6 hour walk.
For this last day we will take a circular path in
the great Troumouse cirque. from here, we will descend as far as
Lourdes for the unforgettable, regettable goodbyes.
