PYRENEES

When visiting this area be aware that the weather is very changeable even in summer and especially in winter, going from glorious sunshine to white out in minutes so always check with the local tourist offices.

Below is a brief guide to the area ;

Gavarnie and the Pyrenean cirques- This area has sheer cliffs and deep waterfalls and snow covered ledges all in a semi circular rock formation 800mts in diameter which is soon to be named as a Unesco world heritage site.

Cirque de Gavarnie is accessed from the village at Gavarnie 12.5mls south of Luz-Saint-Sauver via the D921, from the village take the route to the Hotel du Cirque then its about a 45mins walk to view the snow bridge and the great cascade[440mts] which freezes over in winter. Return via the “Pailha” path wich is rich in flowers and has great views.

Cirque de Tromousse is accessed from the village at Gedre 13.5mls south of Luz-Saint-Sauver via the D921 then take the D922 south of Gedre take the fork for Notre-Dame –d` Heas. Above the chapel a toll road leads to paradise with 6.5mls of peaks in a cirque nearly 1000mts deep, from here there are various routes to see the Virgin with its outstanding views of the Lac Des Aires and into spain via the old smugglers routes.

Cirque de Barroude is accessed from Aragnouet 6.5mls south west of Saint-Lary on the D929, allow a whole day when above Aragnouet turn for Piau and take the mountain footpath which turns off on the right just after the first sharp bend. The walk will take approx 3 hours along a signposted route which runs alongside the Neste d`Aure of the Gela, this will eventually bring you out at the Lac de Barroude [2534,ts] with its superb view of the mountains in a circular pattern.

Le Pont d`Espagne is near to Cauterets via the D920  stop at Puntas car park then by ski-lift this is one of the finest views in the whole park, as all along the valley from Puntas you can see spectacular waterfalls before taking the ski-lift 5mls up to the Pont which spans a 4,980ft ravine.

From the Pont you can catch a chair lift to view the Lac de Gaube about 15mins walk from the chair lift; this lake is emerald green and feed from the glaciers of Vignermale the heighest point in the Pyrenees. Also there is another cable car to Lys near to Cauterets open all year round will take you directly up 3000mts to Lys and the panoramic views of cirques and glaciers

La Lavedan covers the valleys which join up to run through “Lourdes” being the mountain streams of Arrens , Labat , Bun , Gavarnie and Cauterets which all converge to become the Pau. This area is the most popular with tourists offering many things to see such as the “Betharram Caves” the church at Saint Andre or how about some bungee jumping or white water canoeing, not forgetting the lovely “Biscuitterie des Pyrenees Latapie” which melts in the mouth filled with candied fruits.

Also while in this part of France why not journey to the National Pyrenees Park covering 46,000ha stretching along the border with Spain for 60+mls, consisting of the four valleys called Val d`Azun, vallee de Cauterets , vallee de Luz-Gavarnie and lastly the Vallee d`Aure  all having spectacular views and peace and quiet along with the flowers and animals. The valleys of the Aure and Louron south of Lannemezan [D929] are completely Pyrenean and dominated by the peaks of Tramezaiques and Neouvielle , these give this area a micro climate as the rain is kept away so even in spring its very mild and in winter is great for skiing.

. While in the mountains keep a look out for the native wild life but at the same time keeping a safe distance. The “Patou Blanc” or Pyrenean mountain dog is a site not to be missed as its descended from Tibetan Mastiff and is used to guard the sheep from wolfs and bears. The brown bear is the most endangered of all the local wildlife which stands over 6ft tall although few people see them now as there is thought to be only 10-15 left in the Forests of the Valle d`Aure, although a new breeding project has been started with foreign bears. The rocky outcrops are the place to look if your after the “Pyrenean Ibex” scrambling over the rocks like a four legged mountain climber, or look skywards for the “Purple Heron and Birds of prey”

Tour De France Mountain passes:

The passes which the Tour de France goes through are legendary and total six all together, these are the “Col de Aubisque” 27mls long south west of Lourdes reaching a height of 1790mts , the “Col du Soulor 6.5mls east of the Col du Aubisque and at a height of 1474mts a little lower on the D918. The next being the Col du Toumalet 11.5mls north east of Luz-Saint-Sauver at 2100mts , then the Col du Aspen 18.5mls east of Col du Toumalet at 1490mts. The last two being the Col de Peyresourde at 1560mts 18mls east of Col d`Aspen and finally the Col de Couraduque 12mls west of Argeled-Gazost , to attempt to cycle any one of these require great stamina but why not tour all of them for the different views in your car/motorhome or even a scooter and marvel at what these great athletes endure .