Across the Pyrenees

The Spanish side of the Pyrenees is a breathtaking alpine stronghold of towering snow-capped peaks, dramatic mountain cirques, and crystalline lakes and waterfalls. Here we discover some of the best hiking in Europe amid a delightful diversity of the cultures that make northern Spain so enchanting. Our hikes along shepherds’ paths bring us through green, glacier-carved valleys, beneath towering peaks, and into atmospheric hill villages where ancient traditions flourish. Our last hike brings us along the border of tiny Andorra and across the wildflower-covered Catalan Pyrenees before we head to the Mediterranean and the cultural hub of Barcelona, with its renowned architecture and superb museums dedicated to native sons Picasso and Miró.

Itinerary at a Glance

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Day 1
Pamplona / Siresa

We meet in Pamplona and head right to the mountains for our first hike, starting in the remote medieval village of Anso, once so isolated that its inhabitants spoke their own dialect. Our trail leads through the valley of Sierra de lo Vedau to beautiful Siresa, a mountain village of cobbled streets and splendid stone houses with tall, Aragonese-style chimneys. Siresa’s imposing 11th century Monasterio de San Pedro de Siresa has welcomed pilgrims throughout the centuries.

Days 2-3
Ordesa National Park / Torla

Ordesa National Park, a spectacular glacier-carved valley flanked by 10,000-foot mountains, is one of the most magnificent mountain settings in Europe. We enjoy a classic Pyrenees hike below the West Face of Mt. Bisaurin, passing tumbling waterfalls on a trail beneath impressive cliffs. Views of the snow-capped summits are breathtaking. The next day we hike to the Cola de Caballo (“Horse’s Tail”), a waterfall below the face of Monte Perdido (11,000'), where mountain goats scramble beneath vertical cliffs.

Days 4-5
Ainsa / Caldes de Boi

After a day to explore the lovely medieval town of Ainsa, with its stone-built Pyrenean architecture, we head to Taull, a lost village with exquisite Romanesque churches graced by beautiful frescoes. The next day in Aiguestortes National Park, a glaciated landscape of jagged granite peaks and meandering streams, we hike to a crystal-clear mountain pool known as the Ice Fountain. Overnights are in a spa hotel in Caldes de Boi, a mountain town famed since Roman times for its thermal waters.

Days 6-7
Catalan Pyrenees / Andorra

A hike across the Portarro de Espot (8,000'), highest point on our trip, brings us to the stunning glacial lake of Sant Maurici, whose translucent waters are encircled by serrated peaks. The next day in tiny Andorra, a principality nestled between France and Spain, we hike a panoramic mountain trail and descend to medieval Bescaran, famed for its magnificent Romanesque bell tower.

Days 8-9
Barcelona

Our morning hike is in pastoral rolling hills alive with the sound of sheep and cattle bells, and we spend the afternoon in Barcelona, a lively city with a famed artistic and architectural heritage from Art Nouveau to Gaudi. Depart on Day 9.

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What the Trip is Like

This trip is rated Level 4, Moderate to Strenuous. It features very active hikes and accommodations in small hotels and inns. The hikes range from three to seven hours and take place on trails at altitudes of around 4,500 to 8,000 feet. You carry only a daypack on the hikes. However, there are steep ascents and descents and there are some sections that cross rough or rocky trails. For your own enjoyment, we recommend you make a special effort to be in good physical condition for the trip. Daily brisk walking and/or regular hiking (or using a stair-climbing machine at your gym) are excellent preparatory exercises. You should wear sturdy, well-broken-in hiking boots for maximum comfort on the trail.

On our picnic lunches, we feature cheese, fresh vegetables, salamis, copa, ham, fresh fruit, Spanish chocolate, and the local breads. Our lunches and dinners in local taverns and restaurants give us the opportunity to sample the best local dishes and wines. Please note that in Spain, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the US. We do our best to secure early reservations for our groups, but most often the evening meal will be at 9:00 p.m.

When we transfer from our hotel to the trailhead and back without changing hotels, our average driving time is 15-20 minutes. When we transfer from one valley to another and/or from one hotel to the next, driving time is approximately two hours. The driving distances on these days are no longer than 50 miles, but the mountain roads are narrow and winding, so the driver proceeds slowly as a safety precaution.

Explanation of Trip Levels