Walking In The French Pyrenees: France, Spain

Essential Information

Trip Profile

5 days centre-based walking. Altitude maximum 2400m, average 2000m.

Accommodation

7 nights Hotel Le Terminus (2 star) with en suite rooms overlooking the river Ariège. The hotel is a 5 minute walk from the centre of Ax les Thermes, opposite the railway station.

Food

All breakfasts, 4 picnic lunches and 6 dinners included.

Reality Check

This trip involves a series of five day guided walks from our hotel found in the delightful spa town of Ax-les-Thermes. The walks are varied and to some extent we can tailor each day to the needs and wishes of the group and the prevailing conditions.

The proximity to the larger peaks means that while the walking is not too demanding, we are always close to impressive views. Of course, if on any day, you do not wish to go walking, you can relax at the hotel, or explore the small town of Ax-les-Thermes. During the week there will be one free day where no walk is provided and the leader will suggest optional activities.

Please note that a good level of fitness is required for this trip. We run this trip at two different grades, so please make sure you book the week that suits your ability. More specifically, you should expect the following:

Grade B weeks: Average height gain: 400 - 800m. Hours walked: 4 - 6 on average. Distances: 6 - 12kms Most of walks are on good paths although there are some rocky sections. In general the maximum ascent in one go will be limited to 300m.

Grade C weeks: Average height gain: 600 - 1100m. Hours walked: 5 - 8 on average. Distances: 9 - 15kms. Some walking off paths and rocky sections. Plenty of up and down, very little flat!

Normal group size and age

Normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age 16.

Icons explained

The vast majority of Exodus adventures are adult group holidays. Groups are always small in size. We strongly believe that this adherence to small groups means a better experience for all; more time with your guide, less waiting around and a reduced impact on the communities and environments visited.
Each group is generally made up of like-minded travellers - with singles, couples and friends all joining in together. All these trips are suitable for single travellers, but if you prefer to travel with clients booking individually, please see our Solo Departures page.

No experience is necessary; those who take weekend hill walks in areas like the Peak District or Cotswold’s at home should manage a B-grade trek; good health and reasonable fitness are important. These Moderately graded departures are either fairly easy medium-duration walks or harder, shorter walks.

Walking & Trekking: Trips are wholly trekking-focused or simply include a significant number of walking days during the itinerary.

Wildlife: Trips may be wholly wildlife focused, or contain an element of wildlife viewing within a less specific itinerary.

For those clients who wish to travel with a group of other solo/single travellers, on certain trips we have set aside departure dates that are specifically recommended for clients booking individually. Solo departures are aimed at taking away that concern that you may be the only solo traveller when you arrive overseas. Look out for the solo departures (marked with a grey icon's') by checking the notes in the dates and prices table.
However, please note that we inform any couples, or friends travelling together, who enquire about these dates that the trip is recommended for solos, but we do not refuse bookings from non-solo travellers, and we are therefore not able to guarantee that a solo departure will be exclusively made up of solo travellers.