Pyrenees; Pure Hiking and Wild Swimming.

Introduction
Pyrenees; Pure Hiking and Wild Swimming. image

French Pyrenees National Park / 8 days

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The French Pyrenees National Park

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Cirque de Gavarnie and Cirque de Troumouse, hike the wild granitic massif known as the Lake District of the Pyrenees, and immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and dramatic landscapes of Luz Saint Sauveur. Enjoy guided day hikes, wild swimming in alpine lakes, and discover picturesque villages and lush valleys.
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Highlights & Essentials

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At a glance

Day 1 - Arrive Luz Saint Sauveur, Welcome Dinner

Day 1 - Arrive Luz Saint Sauveur, Welcome Dinner image

Arrive in Luz Saint Sauveur and Welcome Dinner

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Arrive Luz Saint Sauveur

Arrive at Luz Saint Sauveur, explore local artisan shops and settle in for the start of your Pyrenees adventure.
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Welcome Dinner & Briefing

Enjoy a fantastic welcome dinner and trip briefing on your first night in Luz Saint Sauveur.
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Hotel Terminus

Spend the night at Hotel Terminus in Luz Saint Sauveur.

Day 2 - Cirque de Gavarnie Day Walk and Swim

Day 2 - Cirque de Gavarnie Day Walk and Swim image

Hike Cirque de Gavarnie and Swim in Gavarnie de Pau River

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Cirque de Gavarnie Day Walk

Gavarnie is one of the must-see ‘Grand Sites’ of the Pyrenees – a spectacular natural amphitheatre etched from limestone cliffs of the French-Spanish frontier. Today’s walk departs from Gavarnie village to take the magnificent balcony path that skirts above the Gavarnie valley. A natural ledge carved into the limestone wall of the valley, bringing us out at the mouth of the Cirque de Gavarnie, the path affords a gentle ascent into the cirque and the opportunity to trek up to the foot of the Grande Cascade – the highest free hanging waterfall in Europe. Return to the village via the valley bottom trail, crossing Alpine meadows scattered with wildflowers, with the chance to cool our feet in a chilly mountain stream.
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Swim in Gavarnie de Pau River

Today’s swim is in the spectacular Gavarnie de Pau River, visited after our hike.
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Hiking Distance and Details

Distance: 12 km - 5-6 hours hike, 600m ascent and descent including the climb up to the waterfall (optional).
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Dinner: Independent

Dinner is independent this evening.
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Hotel Terminus

Accommodation at Hotel Terminus in Luz Saint Sauveur.

Day 3 - Cirque de Troumouse Day Walk and Glacial Swim

Day 3 - Cirque de Troumouse Day Walk and Glacial Swim image

Hike Cirque de Troumouse and Swim in Lac des Aires

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Cirque de Troumouse Day Walk

Our walk today departs from the hamlet of Heas, 1519m, which provided a stop-off point on the escape route for escaped prisoners who were smuggled through Spain during World War 2. The walk begins with a steady 400m ascent on a good trail to the Cabane de l’Aguila. From here we leave the path and climb through grazed meadowland to our high point at 2200m, and a beautiful lunch spot. Traversing into the Cirque de Troumouse itself, we are afforded a good chance of seeing marmots playing amongst the boulders. Exploring the cirque, we find a hidden shepherd’s cabin – built up against a rock and with almost invisible beneath its turf roof, cross Alpine meadows and visit the ephemeral lakes, returning to Heas to take in stunning views on a zig-path directly out of the mouth of the cirque.
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Swim in Lac des Aires

Unwind after today’s hike with a unique swimming opportunity in the glacial waters of Lac des Aires (300m), set in the impressive amphitheatre of Troumouse, surrounded by waterfalls and hanging glaciers.
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Hiking Distance and Details

Distance: 12km or 8km - 6-7 hours hike, 700m ascent and descent. OPTIONS: a variation of this walk is also available, at an easier level with a maximum of 300m ascent/descent and 4-5 hours of hiking.
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Dinner: Independent

Dinner is independent this evening.
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Hotel Terminus

Accommodation at Hotel Terminus in Luz Saint Sauveur.

Day 4 - Rest Day - Lac

Day 4 - Rest Day - Lac image

Rest Day

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Visit local food artisans and an incredible lake swim spot

Following breakfast we walk into the town and explore the delicious, rustic offerings from the local boulangerie, charcuterie, fromagerie and epicerie all with the aim of buying ourselves a wonderful picnic lunch! Today we offer a very short lake hike, with  incredible wild swimming spots on Lac des Gloriettes; a 700m lake set in a beautiful location. After the short hike we spend our time swimming, eating, relaxing and chilling, doing as much or as little of the former as you desire - perfect day!

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Swim in Lac des Gloriettes

Unwind after today’s hike with a unique swimming opportunity floating in plunge pools

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Dinner: Independent

Dinner is independent this evening.
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Hotel Terminus

Accommodation at Hotel Terminus in Luz Saint Sauveur.

Day 5 Mini Trek in the Pyrenean Lake District

Day 5  Mini Trek in the Pyrenean Lake District image

High Mountain Trek and Wild Lake Swims

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Parc des Pyrénées to Refuge Glère

This is a walk up the beautiful glacial U valley of the Glère. The route starts from just above the thermal spa village of Barèges at the plateau de Lienz and climbs steadily up to the Glère refuge which is beautifully situated overlooking the granitic landscape that holds a myriad of clear mountain lakes. We can drop our bags here and then continue to explore the wild higher lakes of the Glère before returning to the recently refurbished refuge for the night.
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Swim at Lac de la Glère, Lac de Courne Escure, or Lac det Mail

After 4hrs arrive at Lac de la Glère where our refuge is for the night. Here we can lighten our packs with the option of hiking to the neighbouring Lac de Courne Escure and/or continuing up to Lac det Mail - 3 fabulous wild swim options.
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Hiking Distance

Distance: 9.7 km - 6 hours walk, 931m ascent / 283m descent.
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Refuge de la Glère

Stay at Refuge de la Glère, beautifully situated overlooking the granitic landscape and mountain lakes.

DAY 6 Refuge Gleres to Refuge d'Aygues Cluses

DAY 6 Refuge Gleres to Refuge d'Aygues Cluses image
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Refuge Glère to Refuge d’Aygues Cluses

We leave from the Glère refuge and are immediately in the wild and entirely unspoilt uplands of the Neouvielle reserve. The day is a breathtaking traverse, taking place at over 2000m elevation, passing over two remote mountain passes. From the refuge you follow the river up from the Glère lake passing the Astazou and Mounicot lakes and 1000 year old stunted Pin a Crochet pines before climbing the Hourquette de Mounicot (2550m) and descending towards the Lac Nere along the granitic lateral moraine to the North of the Pic de la Mourelle. The lac Nère is a beautiful and deep lake surrounded by its own boulder field of massive, rounded granite eggs. A short but challenging route over the boulder field takes to the last climb of the day over the Col de Tracens (2463m). From the col it's a good path down past the Lacs de Madaméte (good swim spot), to the newly built Aygues Cluses refuge.
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Hiking Distance and Details (Day 5)

Distance: 10.8km - 7-8 hours walk, Height gain 946m, descent 936m undulating.
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Swim at Lac Glère and Lacs de Madaméte

Pre breakfast swim possible in Lac Glère. Just before our refuge we reach the Lacs de Madaméte allowing us dip to make for a perfect end to the end of the day.
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Refuge d’Aygues Cluses

Stay at the newly built Aygues Cluses refuge after a day of trekking through the Neouvielle reserve.

Day 7 - Refuge d'Aygues Cluses to Pont de la Gaubie, Farewell Dinner and Return to Luz Saint Sauveur

Day 7 - Refuge d'Aygues Cluses to Pont de la Gaubie, Farewell Dinner and Return to Luz Saint Sauveur image

Scenic Descent, River Swim, and Farewell Dinner

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Refuge d'Aygues Cluses to Pont de la Gaubie

Waking up at the Refuge d’Aygues Cluses, we set out early for a beautiful, scenic descent passing more lakes and meadows of colourful wildflowers to reach our path beside the rushing Aygues Cluses torrent. We once again follow the GR10, back to the Pont de la Gaubie. Return to Luz Saint Saveur and enjoy a farewell dinner.
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Swim in Le Bastan river or Lac des Gloriettes

Today’s swim is a river swim in the Le Bastan river or Lac des Gloriettes with a chilled picnic.
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Hiking Distance and Details (Day 6)

Distance: 6.5 km - 3-5 hours walk, Descent 712m.
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Farewell Dinner in Local Restaurant

Farewell dinner in local restaurant.
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Hotel Terminus, Luz Saint Sauveur

Accommodation at 2 star Hotel Terminus, Luz Saint Sauveur.

Day 8 - Departure from Luz Saint Sauveur

Day 8 - Departure from Luz Saint Sauveur image

Farewell to the Pyrenees and Departure

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Depart Luz Saint Sauveur

Depart from Luz Saint Sauveur after a week of hiking and wild swimming in the French Pyrenees.
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Loading Map…

Map

1. Luz Saint Sauveur

65120 Luz-Saint-Sauveur, France

2. Hotel Terminus

Avenue de l'Impératrice Eugénie, 65120 Luz-Saint-Sauveur, France

3. Cirque de Gavarnie

65120 Gavarnie-Gèdre, France

4. Cirque de Troumouse

Cirque de Troumouse, 65120 Héas, France

5. Lac des Aires

Lac des Aires, Cirque de Troumouse, 65120 Héas, France

6. Plateau de Lienz

Plateau de Lienz, 65120 Barèges, France

7. Refuge de la Glère

Refuge de la Glère, 65120 Barèges, France

8. Lac de la Glère

Lac de la Glère, 65120 Barèges, France

9. Refuge d’Aygues Cluses

Refuge d’Aygues Cluses, 65120 Barèges, France

10. Lacs de Madaméte

Lacs de Madaméte, 65120 Barèges, France

11. Pont de la Gaubie

Pont de la Gaubie, 65120 Barèges, France

12. Le Bastan River

Le Bastan, 65120 Barèges, France

13. Lac des Gloriettes

Lac des Gloriettes, 65120 Gèdre, France

FAQs

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FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is the accommodation listed in the itinerary guaranteed?

A. While we endeavour to ensure that the accommodation listed on the itinerary will be where you stay, open occasion it may be necessary to switch to an alternative.

When this happens we work hard to ensure that the alternative accommodation is of the same or a better standard, that it's location is close to the original destination, and that the overall impact is minimised in every way.

Accommodation details will be finalised and shared close to the trip departure (4-6 weeks in advance), however remains subject to change up to and following departure.

Q. How challenging are the treks / hikes?

A. we have graded this trip as a level 4

You / your party members should also be comfortable carrying your personal possessions required for the day in a rucksack, which might include items such as:

A water bottle

Snacks

Camera / phone / electronics

Waterproof / windproof jacket / trousers

Warm top / sun hat / sun cream

Any other items you would want to access while out for the day

If you would like further advice on the suitability of this trip for you or your party, please contact us.

Q. Do I have to do the planned activities, every day?

A. Not necessarily. Clients can request a 'rest day' or perhaps the opportunity to break from the scheduled itinerary.

It should be noted that on some days our excursion may form the transit between overnight locations, so a rest day may require the guest to make their way to the next location under their own initiative or at their own expense - in all cases we will work with guests to best accommodate their request.

About your organizer

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LH
Live Breathe Hike
5 40 reviews

Live Breathe Hike focuses on providing unique travel experiences that connect you to your natural environment and leaves you feeling invigorated and refreshed. We focus on attention to detail, exceptional customer service, and a strong commitment to environmental and ethical standards. LBH have been designing and running trips for over 25yrs (we started in 1997!) and pride ourselves in doing nothing less than 100%. Our ethos is simple…..we want our clients to have the most amazing, life-changing experiences, and create lasting memories

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