Walking Holidays in the Cathar country of Langue D’Oc, Eastern Pyrenees.
The Cathars were a cultured, educated religious group who predominantly lived in the eastern Pyrenees until their brutal and bloody extermination by the Catholic church in the 1200s.
They’ve left a legacy of castles, churches, forts and stories of bravery, futile resistance and hidden treasure in the most beautiful of landscapes.
Our walking holiday takes in famous Cathar sites such as Mont Segur and Peyrepertuse Castle but also natural sights such as the Galamus Gorge and a natural limestone labryinth.
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| Peyrepertuse Castle |
For more information, dates and prices, please contact us and put “Cathar Walking Holidays” in your enquiry’s text.
Last week saw our first Multi-Activity holiday of the season. Eight guests enjoyed, amongst other activities, canyoning, paragliding, rock-climbing, and a strenuous hike to the Breche du Roland, on the Spanish border.
For the next few weeks we’re welcoming people of all ages and nationalities on our Multi-Activity holidays.
We’re also excited to be running our second Taster holiday this summer, beginning on Saturday.
Our hardy trekkers are on the last week of the HRP, hut to hut trek. They’ve had good weather and when we saw the guide, Dan, on Saturday (in between legs of the trek), he said everyone was well and enjoying themselves.
MountainBug’s affiliation with the Hotel du Tourmalet has been coming in to its own, as we are now able to accommodate people for short stays (the chalet is on a weekly basis only). Several couples and groups have enjoyed a quick Pyrenean break, staying at the hotel and booking activities such as canyoning or paragliding with us. Of course, the MountainBug team are also on hand to give advice to our guests on how to enjoy the Pyrenees, such as how to find the off-the-beaten-track path at the popular Cirque de Gavarnie or which is the closest mountain lake for an icy dip.
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| We reckon this climb is about a 5 or 6 |
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| Not a bad view for those having a rest |
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| The instructors setting it all up. |
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| Time to get a crick in your neck… |
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| The Brits were all dazzled by this strange ball of heat and light |
Please contact us if you would like to join us in this spectacular part of the world.
Last week’s hardy cyclists spent five days cycling up and down the area’s famous Cols, enjoying a variety of weather and terrain.There was even some rivalry between the group for a few Col finishes. One of our English guests took first place each time (of course!) with a guest from Ireland and the USA hotly contesting for second place.
The week also involved cycling ahead of the Tour de France on Thursday to reach Peyragudes in time to see the stage finish there and, of course, watching the Tour head over our local Col du Tourmalet on the Wednesday.
A great week with passionate cyclists and to top it all off – Team Sky swept the board at the Tour de France with three Brits standing on the podium yesterday. Wiggins, Froome and Cavendish, we salute you!
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| Racing ahead… |
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| The others aren’t far behind… |
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| And another Col! |
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| Getting there before the Tour arrives! |
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| Cycling in ALL weather |
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| Downhill all the way home now |
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| watching the Tour go through Bareges |
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| Victory pose! |
After weeks of build up and excitement, the Tour de France whizzed through Bareges yesterday, on a hot and sunny afternoon, heading up the formidable Col du Tourmalet.
The build up in the village over the last few days has been tangible. People from all nations are gracing this little village’s streets: Australians, Brits, Americans, Belgians, Dutch, Singaporeans, Irish, Canadians, French, Spanish, Basque…they were all here for one thing. To watch the greatest cycle race of them all.
First, the Caravan came. This is a procession of the race’s sponsors, throwing out goodies as they pass.
Then, as the day got hotter and hotter, we retired to the Hotel du Tourmalet’s outdoor terrace, right on the road the race would pass, and bar to watch the progress of the race. We all knew they were on their way. our cyclist guests recognised each bend, ascent, descent and straight of the route up to Bareges. Seeing the mountains we know and love so well as viewed from a helicopter was amazing – it brings home how majestic they are.
First, the head of the race came through. Then we started to hear the press helicopters. Then we saw up to four helicopters appear above the bottom of the village’s entrance road. Then the police motorbikes. Then we could see the spare bikes piled up on the team cars. Closer, closer..WHOOOSH! The Peloton was here! Much to the amusement of the other nationalities, all Brits present went nuts cheering on yellow jersey wearer Bradley Wiggins. He had a look of savage concentration and focus on his face as he headed up the road to face the final 1000metre ascent up the Col.
Then the rest of the peloton and race followed. Everyone dashed in to the Hotel’s bar to watch the torturous climb up the Col on the bar’s TV.
After the Tour had crested the Col and were whizzing down the other side, enjoying some descent before tackling another Col, the cars, campervans, cyclists and hikers started making their way back down to and through the village. Our guests came back tired and happy.
Meanwhile, the Hotel du Tourmalet staff worked from 7am until 23.30, serving drinks and food to a hungry and thirsty crowd. The restaurant had to stop taking bookings by 8pm as at one point it was serving 40 people, spread over the restaurant and terrace, with more drinking in the bar. The team kept up the pace, with the quality of the chef’s excellent food never faltering and the great service continuing. All in all, a very exciting, tiring, and memorable day.
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| MountainBug Director Rob with his own mini bug. |
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| The caravan procession |
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| Lead riders passing the Hotel du Tourmalet |
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| The Peloton is coming! We all look to the sky. |
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| The Peloton getting closer… |
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| …and closer… |
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| GO WIGGINS! |
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| WIGGO! |
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| View of the Peloton, Wiggins in the Yellow Jersey |
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| WIGGINS!! |
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| Back of the Peloton in font of the hotel |
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| Team Sky support vehicle |
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| Retiring to the Hotel bar to watch the rest of the race |
Last week we welcomed guests on our Discoverer – Lakes, Ridges and Cirques walking holiday. We were delighted too that some of the hotel’s guests joined us for a day or two’s walking.
As well as our regular Lakes, Ridges and Cirques holiday, we asked if anyone would like the opportunity to do a cheeky refuge trek. Our game guests said yes, and so with a bit of trepidation and a lot of excitement, they headed off the mountain…to return just over 36 hours later, tired but very very happy. Spending a night in the beautiful Neouvielle Nature Reserve with its lakes and peaks is inspiring and knowing that you have got there under your own steam, with no opt-out opportunity (the refuge is restocked by donkeys) is very satisfying.
This week we welcome a group of Australians, who have already spent a week cycling and are now enjoying some mountain scenery by foot. They will also get to enjoy the atmosphere of Tour de France on Wednesday and were here on Saturday in time for Barege’s Bastille Day fireworks.
Our hardy cyclists are making their way to join us for some fun slogging up cols and whizzing back down them. Yesterday they tackled the Col Ardiden, as a little warm up to today where they headed off early to drive part of the way then cycle in to Pau to see the Tour de France Stage 15 finish later today.
Tomorrow they head out for the relatively gentle ascent up to Hautacam, getting in the mood to view the Tour from whichever spot they please on Wednesday. We recommend cycling or hiking up the Col du Tourmalet and positioning yourself so you can see the Tour heading up the mountain and then powering right down the other side.
Thursday is a bit trickier for our cycling group…they have to keep ahead of the Tour all day. They will leave Bareges at 7.30am and drive out ahead of the Tour, then cycle the Tour route for that day, keeping ahead of the road closures. If all goes to plan, they will arrive in Peyragudes before the pros, ready to cheer them over the finish line…we will keep you posted!
It was a slightly dull day weather wise but the sight of 10,000 amateur cyclists slogging their way up to Bareges was inspiring. Even more so, when you consider they had already done 108km by the time they reached us and were about to do a sharp 1000m ascent over the Col du Tourmalet, then another 80kmto the finish.
First, the serious amateurs whizzed through. Then slowly but surely the others came up. Some looked pained, some were smiling and waving at the crowds, some even had time to slap the hands that the local children were offering and a brave one or two were responding to the children’s shouts of “Monsieur, monsieur, d’ou venez vous?” (Mr, Mr, where are you from?) with the name of their country or town. We saw a couple on a tandem, a rather glamorous lady wearing lipstick and makeup (how?!), people on fold up bikes and even people on mountain-bike…ouch!
Please see our video below of the crowd singing to the cyclists as they slogged it up through Bareges.
Team MountainBug stationed itself on the Hotel du Tourmalet outdoor terrace to watch while eating a delicious lunchtime BBQ menu. It did feel a bit mean but…! We did our bit for King and country, keeping an eye out for fellow Brits, cheering them on. Our best spot was one chap wearing a top saying Atkins “Atkins! That’s English” we shouted “Too bloody right!” he yelled back grinning.
Much to our amusement, two gendarmes (police) on motorbikes pulled up by the hotel, parked…and then headed over for some BBQ. The hotel’s sous chef, Karen, bagged a sit on a bike and a photo!
Well done to everyone who took part in that monster race. Whether you finished or not, it is an amazing thing for amateurs to do and we admire you for it. Also, a big thank you, as our appetites are truly whetted for the Tour de France Stage 16, passing through here Wednesday afternoon.
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| The 2012 Tour de France etape (amateur stage) coming through Bareges |
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| The etape down in Luz, on its way up to Bareges |
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| On fold-up bikes! |
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| The hotel’s sous chef enjoying a well-earned break! |
This Saturday, 14 July, the etape is passing through the valley and up in to Bareges. Therefore the road through the valley and over the Col du Tourmalet will be closed from approximately 9am until 16.00 . If you are travelling to us, please take this in to account and allow extra travelling time.
On Wednesday 18 July the Tour itself is coming through Bareges. Again, the roads will be closed from approximately 9am until 16.00.
From this Friday onwards, there will be lots of extra traffic on the valley roads and it will be slow to get here because there will be lots of road cyclists and motor-homes. Please allow extra time for journeys in and out of Bareges.
We’ve had a fantastic email from one of our Discoverer Walking week guests. We thought we’d share it with everyone as the whole team really appreciates it when we get great feedback like this.
“I am 78 years old, a widower, and I have just returned from a July 2012 fantastic Mountain Bug Discoverer holiday. We had a group of 8 like-minded people, with very diverse backgrounds, and a warm companionship quickly developed as we tackled new challenges. The chalet accommodation was very comfortable and the food was excellent especially when you consider that within our group they had to cater for Kosher, Gluten free, Vegetarian, and Dairy-free diets.
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| John on the airy path at Cirque de Troumouse |
The three couples involved with our well-being – comfort, food, and professional mountain guiding – treated us all with kindness and concern as if we were members of their own family. Providing that I am still physically fit I hope to return next year but I will be sensible and book an Explorer holiday in my 80thyear.”
John L
Tournaboup chairlift, at the top of the valley Bareges is in, is opening on the 9 July.
Tickets are 15€ for a day of descents if you bring your mountain bike or 6€ return for pedestrians.
This offers something for everyone – you can all enjoy lunch or coffee at the Laquette restaurant then the mountain-bikers can enjoy some breath-taking descents, while the hikers can walk down to Le Lienz and the excellent Chez Louisette restaurant, or walk up to the lakes, and the truly relaxed can hop back on the chair-lift and enjoy the views on the way down!
This year’s Tour de France has begun and we are waiting for it to pass through Bareges on Wednesday 18 July.
The diagram below shows the profile for the stage that involves Bareges and our local area.
We’re already seeing more and more road cyclists on the road as the time draws near. There has been an amateur etape, groups on raids, semi-pros, cycling clubs, pros who are training, and people cycling up the Col du Tourmalet on mountain-bikes with panniers on!
All of MountainBug’s accommodation is fully booked for that week and we’re delighted to be welcoming so many cyclists and Tour fans from all over the world (Australia, Singapore, the USA, the UK, the Netherlands…to name a few).
