The 4 most beautiful hikes in the Pyrenees: our guides’ selection
With their iconic peaks, lush valleys and trails overlooking the sea, the Pyrenees offer an incredible variety of landscapes for hikers. From one mountain range to the next, the atmosphere changes: impressive glacial cirques, canyons, high-altitude lakes, panoramic ridges... This mountain range, linking the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, offers a fresh atmosphere and ever-changing panoramas at every turn. An exceptional playground for hiking enthusiasts!
At Respyrénées, our local guides traverse these trails all year round. We asked them to share the hikes that continue to impress them today. Here are the 4 must-do hikes in the Pyrenees, to be discovered through our guided walking.
Hiking in Cerdagne: high-altitude lakes and the wide-open spaces of the Catalan Pyrenees
Between Cerdagne and Capcir, the Catalan Pyrenees regional nature park offers the perfect setting for hiking. This high-altitude region is characterised by its vast, sun-drenched plateaus, pine forests and numerous mountain lakes.
Among the must-see sites, Les Bouillouses and Les Camporells reveal spectacular landscapes dotted with ponds and sweeping panoramic views. The trails also pass through the Eyne nature reserve, renowned for its rich flora and fauna.
The best part after the hike:
After all that effort, there’s nothing quite like unwinding in the natural hot springs of Dorres or a comfortable return to your 3-star hotel in the heart of the village of Saillagouse, renowned for its gourmet cuisine and wellness facilities.
Type of stay: Star-shaped stay - Duration: 7 days - Difficulty: 2/5
Best time to visit: May to September
The Catalan Pyrenees, and more specifically Cerdagne and Capcir, are renowned as a hiker’s paradise. These mountains enjoy an exceptionally sunny climate, vast and spectacular views, and countless lakes. What’s more, the comfort of the Planes hotel and their delicious meals will ensure we’re raring to go each day for new adventures and discoveries.
François, Respyrénées guide
Cathar Castles hike: from Carcassonne to Foix
Between Carcassonne (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the foothills of the Pyrenees, set off to explore the Cathar fortresses, which bear witness to a fascinating medieval history. The castles of Quéribus, Peyrepertuse, Puilaurens, Montségur and Roquefixade stand atop rocky peaks, offering spectacular views over the surrounding gorges and valleys. The trails link these iconic sites through varied landscapes, blending scrubland, vineyards and gorges carved into the limestone, where the influence of the Mediterranean and mountain climates is clearly felt.
The highlight of this trip:
Each castle tells a story from Cathar history whilst offering unique views of the region, a rare blend of history and nature. A favourite hike in Haute-Ariège, complete with a picnic made entirely from produce sourced at the "Foix market".
Type of stay: Semi-itinerant stay - Duration: 7days - Difficulty: 2/5
Best time to visit: April to October
From the Aude to the Ariège, this trip takes you through Cathar country, allowing you to discover all its major sites. Starting from the famous medieval city of Carcassonne, the stages follow one another effortlessly along beautiful, varied trails leading to the iconic castles perched on their rocky outcrops. Nature is not to be outdone: each day offers different landscapes, from wild gorges and forests to plateaus and panoramic ridges...
My favourite part? The final hike to one of our magnificent Ariège lakes, accompanied by a picnic bought that morning at the market in Foix.
Gaëtan, Respyrénées
Hike from Cauterets to Gavarnie: the major attractions of the Pyrenees national park
Between Cauterets and Gavarnie, this trip offers the chance to hike through some of the most iconic landscapes of the Pyrenees national park, whilst enjoying the comfort of a star-shaped stay with a light pack. The routes pass through remarkable valleys such as Gaube and Marcadau, known for their high-altitude lakes and panoramic views of the great peaks, including the impressive north face of the Vignemale, the highest point in the French Pyrenees. The route also leads to the spectacular glacial cirques of Estaubé and Gavarnie, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The highlight of this trip:
The chance to enjoy the Bains du Rocher spa and leisure centre in Cauterets, the perfect place to unwind after a day’s hiking.
Type de stay: Star-shaped stay - Duration: 6 days - Difficulty: 3/5
Best time to visit: May to September (hiking) / January to March (snowshoeing)
If I had to pick a favourite among the hikes on this stay, I would definitely choose the one to Lac de Gaube. The tranquillity of the place, the wild, untamed nature of the valley, and the chance to encounter wildlife not typically found in the Pyrenees, such as chamois, ibex and stoats, will leave us in awe of this magnificent little corner of the mountains!
Stéphane, Respyrénées guide
Hiking in Upper Aragon, Ordesa-Monte Perdido National Park
On the Spanish side of the Pyrenees, Upper Aragon reveals wild and varied landscapes where the mountains take on a spectacular grandeur. Amidst high plateaus, high-altitude lakes and cliff-top paths overlooking deep canyons, the hikes offer breathtaking views of the peaks over 3,000 metres high that surround the Monte Perdido massif.
The highlight of this trip:
The comfort option for the Ordesa-Mont Perdu National Park, with accommodation in a double room and in a small group.
Type of stay: Semi-itinerant stay - Duration: 6 days - Difficulty: 3/5
Best time to visit: May to September
A hidden gem of immense proportions. Words often fail to do justice to Aragon. Here you’ll find the largest canyons in the Pyrenees, set against a truly magical backdrop: quaint stone villages, romanesque churches, ancient paths, lakes and waterfalls… all bathed in glorious sunshine. It’s impossible not to be captivated by the charms of this region.
Patxi, Respyrénées guide
