HRP Stage 2: Gavarnie to Bagneres de Luchon

hrp_stage2

During stage 2 of the HRP (High Pyrenean Route), we hike into Spain, to enjoy great scenery on both sides of the border. Highlights of this stage include:

  • Cirques de Gavarnie, Estaube and Troumouse – three spectacular limestone amphitheatres forming the border between France and Spain
  • Spanish idyll and great food at the Granges de Viados
  • High mountain crossing between the Soula and Portillon refuges, with an optional ascent of the Pic Gourdon, 3034m.

Timings are taken from published guidebooks. In some cases we have increased them, following several years’ experience of walking the HRP with a group. The actual day length however may be longer, depending on numbers, and the abilities and fitness of group members.

Please note that as we are trekking from hut to hut, there are no opportunities to finish the week early, except in the case of emergencies.

What the price includes

The price shown for this week of HRP trekking includes:

  • Seven nights accommodation in manned, catered refuges and backpacker style hostels.
  • Continental breakfast, picnic lunches and copius dinners
  • 6 days guided trekking with a qualified international mountain leader and thier accommodation and food.
  • Local transfers during the trek where required
  • Left luggage facility (please note bags will leave you the night before the trek starts), and transfer of these bags to the end point

You will need to make your own travel arrangements at the start and end of the trek but we are happy to suggest travel options.

Important note

The HRP is a high mountain, challenging and remote trek. In the unlikely event that you are forced to abandon the walk the guide is committed to remaining with the group to ensure their ongoing safety on the trek. The guide will make every effort to accompany you to a major trail,refuge, or intersection with a public highway. From this point onward the guide and companies responsibility for you is disengaged. Mountainbug does not cover the cost of your return transport or alternative accommodation after you have left the group. Please ensure that you have undertaken sufficient training and preparation for this trip, and that you have adequate travel insurance.

Please choose your HRP dates on our calendar, then contact us to book or ask for any further details.


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HRP Stage 2, week’s itinerary:

Saturday – Arrival Luz St. Sauveur

After meeting your guide and the rest of your group, you can enjoy a comfortable first night in civilisation. Luz is a lively spa village with an excellent icecream shop and bakery – stock up on supplies and calories here before we begin the week’s trekking.

Sunday – Cirque de Gavarnie to the Cirque de Troumouse, Maillet Refuge, 7.5 hours

This is a classic stage of the HRP, traversing between three of the most famous landmarks of the Pyrenees – the Cirques of Gavarnie, Estaube and Troumouse.

Along the way, we pass the deep-blue Lac des Gloriettes and, no doubt, lots of marmots!

We then spend a night at the Maillet refuge in the Cirque de Troumouse.

HRP stage 2, day 2 - Refude Barroude

Monday – Maillet Refuge to Barroude Refuge, 6.5 hours

We spend the morning in the shadow of the cliff-walls of the Cirque de Troumouse, making our way over to the Hourquette de Heas.

The path is very wild, with spectacular views. The Barroude refuge is in a secluded cirque, beside its own lakes.

Day 3 - Granges de Viados

Tuesday – Refuge Barroude to Refugio de Viados, 8 hours

A 200m climb takes us to the Port de Barroude – the gateway into Spain.

From here, we descend steeply into the Barrosa canyon and the Hospital de Parzan. We avoid a roadside-trudge with a handy taxi transfer, and then a pleasant walk down through rolling farmland to the Granges de Viados.

Day 4 - High lakes above Portillon

Wednesday – Refugio de Viados to the Refuge Soula,7 hours

We’re now beginning the GR11 and soon re-enter France at the Port d’Aygues Tortes.

We then descend beside a rushing torrent to the Refuge Soula, for our night’s stay.

Day 5 - Portillon snow

Thursday – Refuge Soula to the Refuge Portillon, 8 hours

Today we will trek one of the most beautiful walks in the whole of the Pyrenees; we pass high mountain lakes and cross beneath north face glaciers.

Our high point today is the Col des Gourgs-Blancs 2877m, with an optional ascent of Pic Gourdon (3034m), before we head to Refuge Portillon.

HRP stage 2, day 6

Friday – Refuge Portillon to Bagneres de Luchon, 8 hours

After watching the sun rise over the Portillon glacier, we descend steadily to the lovely Lac d’Espingo – just in time for a morning coffee at the refuge!

From here we rejoin the GR10, for a pleasant traverse around to Super Bagneres, from where we can either take the cable car or walk down through the forest to our finish at Bagneres de Luchon. We then spend a night here in a comfortable hotel.

Saturday – Depart from Bagneres de Luchon

You can leave in your own time. There are train and coach services connecting to the Toulouse mainline, or we can give you a lift back towards Lourdes.

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Trekking – Dates & Prices

Please see below for the dates of our Trekking holidays.

Our calendar is flexible at the moment, so contact us if you’re interested in a trekking week that isn’t timetabled at a date that suits you.

Please click on each type of trekking holiday for a full description and photos.

I am currently available for the summer season from mid April 2024 through until the end of October. High level routes that traverse passes over 2500m altitude are generally open from mid June (depending on the severity of the winter), and lower level routes from April.

For you personal mountain guide for trekking and hiking please contact us

Some trips require a minimum number to be confirmed, please refer to our terms and conditions for details.

 

Choose your trekking holiday dates, then contact us to book.
HRP GR10 & GR11 Bespoke Treks Kit List

 

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