HRP Stage 3: Bagneres de Luchon to Vaqueira

hrp_stage3

The third stage of the HRP is mainly in Spain, where highlights include:

  • A complete traverse of the Spanish Maladeta and Encantats National Parks a beautiful wilderness of granite boulders, pure blue lakes and great refuges
  • An ascent of the Pic d’Aneto, 3404m, the highest mountain in the Pyrenees.
Pyrenees trekking - the HRP stage 3

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.

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.


View HRP – Week 3 with Aneto in a larger map

The week’s Itinerary for Stage 3 of the HRP is:

Saturday – Arrive at Bagneres de Luchon

Today you’ll meet your guide and the rest of the group. The newly refurbished Hospice de France just above the historic spa town of Bagneres de Luchon is our start point for this trek.

Aneto cloudscape

Sunday – Hospice de France to Renclusa (the Pic d’Aneto refuge), 6 hours

This morning we ascend steadily to the Spanish border, where we have spectacular views across to the Pic d’Aneto.

From here the route takes us down into the Benasque valley, and a final push up to the Renclusa refuge; our base for two nights.

Pyrenees hiking - Aneto summit

Monday – Renclusa refuge to Aneto; circuit, 9 hours

Today is a long and challenging day. We meet up with our “guide de haute montagne” (High Mountains Guide)for the ascent of Aneto; the highest peak in the Pyrenees.

The ascent includes time spent on a glacier and an airy final traverse to the summit. Your Guide de haute montagne will provide crampons and ice axes.

We then end our day by returning to Renclusa refuge for the night.

Tuesday – Refuge Renclusa to Hospice de Vielha, 8 hours

We have an early start for a long day heading East again.

We traverse the lower slopes of Aneto and break over the north east arete to make our way down past the source of the mighty Garonne river, the Molieres lakes and finally to the Hospice de Vielha.

HRP lake route to the Restanca Refuge

Wednesday – Hospice de Vielha to Refuge Restanca in the Aigues Tortes(Encantats) National Park, 7 hours

We head up out of the valley into the lake-land of the Spanish Pyrenees; the Aigues Tortes national park.

This is a stunning wilderness with a great refuge network that allows us to make our way through its heartland over the rest of the trek.

Heading for the Ventosa i Calvell refuge

Thursday – Restanca refuge to Refuge Ventosi i Calvell, 4 hours & optional peak

After three challenging days, we can today enjoy a relaxing section of the walk.

This is a fairly short leg, passing several lovely lakes on our way to the Ventosa i Calvell. There should be no excuse not to take advantage of the (usually!) balmy Spanish weather for a refreshing dip along the way.

You also have an optional peak ascent of the Montardo, 2833m with its unrivalled views of the National Park.

Friday – Ventosi i Calvell to pick-up above Tredos, via the Cirque de Colomers, 8 hours

In the morning, we follow a series of tiny lakes on a little-known route to the Port de Colomers.

After lunch we then explore the stunning Cirque du Colomers, with its huge granite blocks, miniature pines and crystal green lakes.

We’re then collected by minibus and transferred out of Spain to Bagneres de Luchon, France, for the evening.

Saturday – depart Bagneres de Luchon

You can leave today 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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