7 days : from 22 to 28
june 2008
Price : 520 €
Situated on the north facing slopes of the Pyrenees, in Bearn (France), the valley of Ossau is a profond valley rich in beauty. A large historical and geological interest, the pyrenees shelters an area of exceptional nature, and remarkable scenery. In the valley we see the start of the high massif of the Pyreneeen chain where the glaciers sculpted their imprints. The peak of « midi d’Ossau » an unique vantage point, proud and imposing, the remainders of an ancient volcano, situated in the middle of the valley, is a symbol of the Ossalois people.
I will bring you into the heart of this valley to understand it’s formation and discover the riches of mountain life. We will visit the Pyrenees National Park, and observe a rich flora and fauna. Isards and marmottes live here in abondance and with some luck we will cross the elegant bearded eagle or the mythic brown bear of the Pyrenees !
Pastoralism here has been an active and really important part of life in the valley for many centuries. We will meet some local shepards who have garded many costumes and traditions of mountain life from their ancesters. We will learn from them how they make their famous sheeps cheese.
This exceptional week allowing us to discover the beauty of the valley will take place between low and high mountains, walking through the valley until we arrive on the sunny south-facing slopes of Spain.
For a maxium of comfort on the treks we will walk light carrying only our food and clothes for the day. All reservations and meals will be organised for you for the week. During the week, an assistant will prepare succulant meals for our arrival at the end of a good days walk. We will take an incredible journey in the highest train of Europe built in 1920. Walks are very varied, with 2 long treks taking place over two days where we will sleep one night in a shepards caban and the other night in a mountain refuge. Accomodation is in comfortable mountain hostels.
The cost of this origional excursion is 520 Euro per person, this includes the cost of all accomodation, food, organization and guide for the week. Transport to Pau (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.
Price : 520 €
Situated on the north facing slopes of the Pyrenees, in Bearn (France), the valley of Ossau is a profond valley rich in beauty. A large historical and geological interest, the pyrenees shelters an area of exceptional nature, and remarkable scenery. In the valley we see the start of the high massif of the Pyreneeen chain where the glaciers sculpted their imprints. The peak of « midi d’Ossau » an unique vantage point, proud and imposing, the remainders of an ancient volcano, situated in the middle of the valley, is a symbol of the Ossalois people.
I will bring you into the heart of this valley to understand it’s formation and discover the riches of mountain life. We will visit the Pyrenees National Park, and observe a rich flora and fauna. Isards and marmottes live here in abondance and with some luck we will cross the elegant bearded eagle or the mythic brown bear of the Pyrenees !
Pastoralism here has been an active and really important part of life in the valley for many centuries. We will meet some local shepards who have garded many costumes and traditions of mountain life from their ancesters. We will learn from them how they make their famous sheeps cheese.
This exceptional week allowing us to discover the beauty of the valley will take place between low and high mountains, walking through the valley until we arrive on the sunny south-facing slopes of Spain.
For a maxium of comfort on the treks we will walk light carrying only our food and clothes for the day. All reservations and meals will be organised for you for the week. During the week, an assistant will prepare succulant meals for our arrival at the end of a good days walk. We will take an incredible journey in the highest train of Europe built in 1920. Walks are very varied, with 2 long treks taking place over two days where we will sleep one night in a shepards caban and the other night in a mountain refuge. Accomodation is in comfortable mountain hostels.
The cost of this origional excursion is 520 Euro per person, this includes the cost of all accomodation, food, organization and guide for the week. Transport to Pau (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 : These treks are accessible to anyone in good physical condition. They will consist of six to seven hours of walking every day, with a difference in altitude between 400m and 900m. We will walk light, carrying only a small rucksack with water, meals for the day and warm clothes.
- Accomodation : We will spend 2 nights in the hostal of Mr Mourasse, one night in a cozy little shepards cabin and 3 nights in different hostals.
- Food : 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 Pau at 13:00. The trek will finish Saturday at 17:00 in Pau. We will arrange between my car and those of participants to bring us to and from the valley.
- Material to remember : a sun-cap and a warm hat, a light pair of trousers, comfortable shoes for walking, a warm jacket, a rain-jacket; sandals, a torch, a sleeping bag, small change for extra drinks and snacks, a small rucksack, sun glasses, sun cream, a knife/pen-knife, a bottle for water, and if possible some binoculars.
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):
- Sunday 22 : After meeting at the train station of Pau, we will go to the valley of Ossau. On arrival, we will streach out our legs on the lovely plateau of Bénou. We will take our first observation of the valley. In the evening, we will go to Bielle to eat and sleep in a nice hostal.
- Monday 23 : The start of a 2 day trek in the low mountains. Depart from the « port de Castet », we will join the « port de Béon » and the « port d’Aste » by beautiful little sheeperds trails. We will observe all day a lot of vultures, then we will go for the evening in a sheeperds cabin in the valley of Des. Our assistant will await us with a lovely meal!
- Tuesday 24 : After a good breakfast, we will climb the peaks of Coos (1880m) to admire the Pyrenees chain and the impressive limestone mountain of Ger. We will take the « brèche du Maül de Jaüt » and join the « porte de Castet ». We will for the night to Gabas in a mountain hostal where we will stay 3 days. Marie-France will welcome us.
- Wednesday 25 : Direction Bious-Artigues and the Pyreneese National Park. We will take an exceptional walk around the lakes of Ayous. For those who don’t mind cool water, it’s possible to swim in the clear, fresh water of the lake.
- Thursday 26 : we will do the fabulous "round of Ossau" and for the best walkers, we will climb the peaks of Peyreget (2480m).
- Friday 27 : We will go to Artouste and take the telecabin to the peak of Sagette. We will admire an incredible view on the valley, after which we will take the little train for an incredible tour high in the mountain arriving at the dam of Artouste. We will learn the hydroelectrical system of the valley. We will walk to the granit universe of Aremoulit. We will cross the Spanish frontier, descending to the Arriel lakes, where we will head in the direction of Sallent de Galiego where we will spend the last night.
- Saturday 28 : We will drive back towards the french boarder to the col du Pourtalet where we will stop if anyone wants to make any purchases from the aray of spanish artisanal goods. We will do a last short walk in the « cercle of Aneous ». On the road to Pau, at Gabas, it’s also possible to stop to buy authentic sheep cheese from the valley.
