18 Photos That Show the Pyrenees Is a Hiking Paradise
The Pyrenees mountain range really is a paradise on earth for hiking lovers. From dramatic peaks and lush, green valleys, to ice lakes and gushing waterfalls, discover why the Pyrenees is a natural wonder worth exploring.
Hiking heaven
Regardless of what path you choose to follow, your hiking trip in the Pyrenees will be a succession of beautiful site after beautiful site.
1. Cirque de Gavarnie
Park
The Cirque de Gavarnie is a glacial bowl and waterfall in the National Park of the Pyrenees, and was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.
Cirque de Gavarnie, Gavarnie, France, +33 5 62 92 49 10
3. La Coumasse
La Coumasse (also named Estany de la Comassa) is a lake located in Angoustrine-Villeneuve-des-Escaldes, in the French Pyrenees. It is part of the Randonnée du Carlit, a hiking circuit highly praised by tourists, where you get to explore nine lakes.
Estany de la Comassa, Angoustrine-Villeneuve-des-Escaldes, France
Pic du Midi d’Ossau
The Pic du Midi d’Ossau is a 2884-meter (9462-foot) high mountain peak and is known for its tooth-like shape.
Discover unique fauna and flora
Take a moment to admire your surroundings, and discover the amazing fauna and flora of the mountains, such as the Gentiana Verna flower.
4. Pont d'Espagne
The Pont d’Espagne site is an incredible environment where you can find the best wildlife the region has to offer.
Pont d’Espagne, Gave de Gaube, Cauterets, France, +33 5 62 92 52 19
5. Port-Vendres
With 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) of coastline, Port-Vendres is an exceptional place to come in the summer, to bathe in its numerous creeks while admiring the mountains in the background.
6. Tour Madeloc
Standing at an altitude of 650 meters (2100 feet), the Tour Madeloc is located in the Collioure community. Accessible by foot or by bike, it is nowadays used as a satellite relay for television.
7. Étang Bouillouses
The Étang Bouillouses pond is the starting point for the formidable Randonnée du Carlit hike.
Reach the highest heights
After hiking all day, take a cable car ride and enjoy an astonishing view from some of the highest points of the region.
8. Château Montségur
Stop by the town of Montségur on your trip to the Occitanie region. A typical old French city, with lots of vestiges from the Middle Ages and notorious for its castle.
9. Castelnau-Barbarens village
After learning more about the history of this charming village, pick one of the four hiking circuits in the area, which you can explore on foot, by bike, or on horseback.
Sentier de grande randonnée
If you are an experienced hiker, plan a longer trip and hike across the Pyrenees over the course of a few days. Choose the Sentier de randonnée 10 hiking trail, which allows you to go from Hendaye in the Pyrenees Atlantiques to Banyuls-sur-Mer in the Pyrenees Orientales.
10. Lac Genteau
The Lac Genteau is an ice lake in the Vallée d’Ossau from where you can get a unique view of the famous Pic du Midi d’Ossau.
11. Lac de Bious-Artigues
The Lac de Bious-Artigues is a barrage lake located in the Pyrenees National Park. It is closed between December and April due to frequent avalanches.
12. Pic d'Arraillous
The Pic d’Arraillous is a magnificent hiking spot you don’t want to miss during your trip.
Feel on top of the world
However high up you reach, be sure to take in the breath-taking views and appreciate the stunning natural beauty.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.