Walking from France to Spain and back again
Last week our most international walking group yet (Dutch, French, British and Australian, with 4 languages between them), headed off on our three day Gavarnie and Ordesa trek.
The hike began at the Col des Tentes, above the Cirque de Gavarnie, in the French High Pyrenees.
We traversed on the French side above Gavarnie for about 2 hours, crossing a glacier before making the steep ascent to the Breche de Roland – the entry point to Spain.
Lunch time was spent sitting in the Breche, alternating our views back to Gavarnie and across the Spanish Plains.
Now firmly in Spain, we traversed the Mularis Plateau to our destination, Refugio de Goriz, at the head of the dramatic Ordesa Canyon.
After a lively night involving a Japanese film crew, some amateur martial arts, a lot of good rioja and some impromptu star gazing, we set off on Day 2 down the canyon.
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| In front of the Breche de Roland |
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| Clouds in the Cirque de Gavarnie |
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| Spain, as viewed from the Breche |
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| Mularis Plateau |
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| Refugio de Goriz above the Ordesa Canyon |
Day 2. Refugio de Goriz to Refugio Bujaruelo
Today we walked down the Ordesa Canyon. The photos don’t do it justice – it is truly spectacular. Although there were a few sore knees after the 1000m descent to the village of Torla.
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| Looking back to the refuge from the Ordesa Canyon |
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Day 3. Back to France
From Torla, we went straight up the valley, heading North and over the Col du Bujaruelo. The weather was amazing for our slow steady climb back up in to France and the chalet with its honesty bar, hot showers, and great food.
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| Our valley hike |
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| Not a bad spot for a photo |
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