High Route Pyrenees - The 'PHR' Trek

High Route Pyrenees - The 'PHR' Trek


Altitude 3,144m Grade: T4/Backpacking

Enjoy the PHR highlights and high points with wild walking and mainly light backpacking in the Pyrenees

The French Pyrenees are a mountain walker’s delight - and far less crowded than the Alps. On this trip we take you deep into the heart of the mountains where you will chance upon cool forests and sparkling tarns set in delightful surroundings, often close to awe-inspiring rock peaks and gleaming snowfields.

Any journey through the High Pyrenees inevitably involves some nights in huts and has a wilder feel to it than walking in the Alps. Our journey has been designed to show you the highlights of the High Level Route whilst using comfortable hotel accommodation where possible.

After a night in the historic town of Pau, this walk starts by passing the stunning Pic du Midi and takes an excursion into a wild corner of Spain to arrive in the pleasant town of Cauterets. From here we follow the High Level Route past the Vignemale to the Cirque de Gavarnie and the Cirque de Troumouse, finishing our walk in the mountain splendour of Barroude.

Dates & Prices

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All prices in Euros are guide rates, not live rates
All prices in US Dollars are guide rates, not live rates

Availability

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There are currently no available dates for this trip. Please contact us if you are interested in this trip.

What's Included

  • International flights and taxes (flight inclusive package)
  • Accommodation - 6 nights Hotels, 8 nights Mountain Refuges
  • Meals - fourteen breakfasts and evening meals
  • All road transfers in country (unless indicated in 'exclusions')
  • IML qualified UK group tour leader (subject to minimum numbers)
  • Adventure Peaks logoed top or equivalent
  • 24hr back-up and support from our UK staff
  • 15% discount off the RRP on equipment and clothing purchased from Adventure Peaks shop

What's Excluded

  • Travel to and from Pau
  • Park fees as appropriate
  • Meals if not indicated in 'inclusions'
  • Personal equipment
  • Travel Insurance
  • Drinks and personal spending
  • Tips if required
  • Visas (if required)
  • Museum and monument entry fees

 

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in the historic and attractive town of Pau. Rendezvous at the hotel in the evening.

Day 2 We travel by minibus to Lac de Bious-Artigues. An interesting afternoon walk over the Col de Peyreget (2208m) then takes us to Refuge de Pombie.

Day 3 An exhilarating day’s walk across some spectacular country including the exposed but easy crossing of the Passage d’Orteig to the Refuge d’Arremoulit situated delightfully beside a lake.

Day 4 A good walk through some wild mountain country takes us over the Port de Palas into Spain.

Day 5 A climb to the Col de la Fache followed by an easy scramble to the summit of the Grande Fache. Our first 3,000m summit!

Day 6 A spare day to explore the beautiful upper Marcadau valley and perhaps bag another peak.

Day 7 A superb walk past several lakes to reach the Refuge d’Ilheou, nestled beneath the peak of the Grand Barbat.

Day 8 A half day walk down from the mountains and back into civilisation in the old ski resort of Cauterets. A chance to relax in the afternoon and get set for the second half of the trip.

Day 9 Today's walk takes us past the beauty spot of Lac de Gaube, with views of the Vignemale drawing us on. A steep climb follows to the Hourquette d’Ossoue and the highest hut in the Pyrenees. In the afternoon we can make an ascent of the Petit Vignemale (3032m).

Day 10 (The Petit Vignemale can be ascended if not done the day before). We descend the long Vallée d'Ossoue past the snout of the Vignemale glacier and Russell's caves to overnight in Gavarnie.

Day 11 A short taxi ride to the Port de Boucharo and then the climb to the Brèche de Roland, an impressive notch in the frontier ridge. This involves crossing snow patches and some awkward scree. From here we should have time to climb the Taillon (3144m) before returning past the Refuge de la Brèche and down to the Port de Boucharo, to meet our transport that will take us back to the hotel.

Day 12 A steady climb leads over the Hourquette d'Alans (2420m) and into the Cirque d'Estaubé. We continue past the Lac des Gloriettes to Héas.

Day 13 A long but rewarding day, walking up into the wild, massive Cirque de Troumouse, then crossing the Hourquette de Héas (2606m) before dropping down to the Refuge de Barroude, sheltered beneath its mountain wall.

Day 14 An optional ascent onto the frontier ridge, followed by a straightforward walk out down the Vallon de la Géla to meet transport back to our hotel in Pau.

Day 15 Depart Pau and head home.

Insurance

It is essential for a trip of this type that you are adequately insured. When researching insurance options, please ensure the policy covers you for the following:

  • Cancellation or curtailment
  • Helicopter rescue (most insurance companies will no longer cover for ‘search and rescue’ but providing you stay with the group, they will assist with ‘rescue’)
  • Repatriation
  • The altitude that you are expected to attain
  • The location especially when travelling to Antarctica
  • Grade of trek/climb/expedition
  • Medical cover

Adventure Peaks partners with Global Rescue to offer the world’s leading travel protection services. Medical and security emergencies happen. When they do, we rely on Global Rescue to provide our clients with medical, security, travel risk and crisis response services. Without a membership, an emergency evacuation could cost over $100,000. More than one million members trust Global Rescue to get them home safely when the unexpected happens. We highly recommend our clients enroll with Global Rescue, in particular for peaks over 7000m:
https://partner.globalrescue.com/adventurepeaks/



We are aware the following provide insurance:

For UK based clients:

Expeditions and Treks under 7000m - Campbell Irvine Direct : http://www.campbellirvine.com/AdventurePeaks

HCC Medical Insurance Services: LLC sales@hccmis.com Tel: 1-800-605-2282
Travelex Ins. Services: www.travelexinsurance.com Tel: 1-800 228 9792
True Traveller Ins: www.truetraveller.com Tel: 0333 999 3140 for treks including over 4500m
Austrian Alpine Club (UK) www.aacuk.org.uk Tel: +44 (0)1929 556870
Rothwell & Towler: www.world-first.co.uk Tel: 0345 908 0161 (under 6400m)
J S Insurance: www.jsinsurance.co.uk Tel: 0844 848 1500
Snowcard: www.snowcard.co.uk Tel: 01295 660836
The B.M.C.: www.thebmc.co.uk Tel: 0161 445 6111 (call and speak to Jim. Please note the BMC cannot cover Mt Damavand)
Dogtag: www.dogtag.co.uk Tel: 0800 036 4824 (Check excess etc)

For non-UK based clients:

HCC Medical Insurance Services: LLC sales@hccmis.com Tel: 1-800-605-2282
Travelex Ins. Services: www.travelexinsurance.com Tel: 1-800 228 9792
True Traveller Ins: www.truetraveller.com Tel: 0333 999 3140 for treks including over 4500m
Austrian Alpine Club (UK): www.aacuk.org.uk Tel: +44 (0)1929 556870
AXA Worldwide Travel Ins: www.axainsurance.com Tel: +44 (0)844 874 0360
Ingle International: www.ingleinternational.com Tel: (USA) 1.800.360.3234
Insure for Less: www.insure4less.com.au (Australian clients)

You do not have to use any of the above, but if you make your own insurance arrangements documentary evidence of your own policy is required.

Please forward the details of your Insurance as soon as you have it: we need the insurance company’s name, their 24 hour emergency telephone number and your insurance policy number – admin@adventurepeaks.com

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