Walking In The French Pyrenees: France, Spain

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

Average Review Rating: from 24 reviews.

Catherine Blake

WALKING IN THE FRENCH PYRENEES

Written August 2012
Fantastic scenery on the walks, great to feel the wind in your hair. The food was excellent, although not great for the waste line! A really satisfying break and would love to return to repeat the experience.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Swimming in the mountain lakes.
What did you think of your group leader?
Chris was an excellent guide and very knowledgeable not only about the area but also the flora and fauna. We were in excellent hands.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
On your 'free' day take a trip up above Ax Les Thermes on the cable car and ski lift, take lunch at the cafe and walk with the amazing mountain views.
Ann Sinnett

WALKING IN THE FRENCH PYRENEES

Written August 2012
Excellent guide Merv; beautiful varied walks, each with stunning views and different challenges whilst catering for all levels within the group. Superb food breakfast, lunch, snacks and evening. Very well organised and tailored for all group's requirements.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Reaching the highest peak comfortably.
What did you think of your group leader?
Merv was excellent. Great ability to recognise all levels and requirements of the whole group and tailoring each day accordingly; superb organisation and fascinating insight and conversations.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you like walking and being outdoors you will love it - go for it!!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Just do it - you will miss out on a fantastic experience if you don't.
David Evans

WALKING IN THE FRENCH PYRENEES

Written October 2011
I decided to head for the Pyrenees after seeing the Tour de France 2011 on TV, and what better way to appreciate the scenery than by walking in the landscape. The walking was a little stiffer than I'd envisaged from the brochure, but our walking guide Chris was excellent, and so patient and accomodating with those of us not necessarily at the front of the pack that we did not feel pressurised. The hotel and the food were fine. And the 16 of us on the trip - of varying ages and capabilities - all got on well together and we had a great time.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Well probably not the puncture nor the long wait for a school coach back to the hotel on our day off, after the railway staff had gone on strike due to a stabbing incident hundreds of miles away! The scenery was great all through the holiday and I also enjoyed the meal we had in Ax-les-Thermes and the walking around Foix.
What did you think of your group leader?
Full marks, excellent: knowlegeable, patient and friendly.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Read the detailed information in the brochure carefully. Whilst it is 'all there', I feel that both my Exodus moderate grade holidays were quite challenging for a sixty-something regular weekend walker. The Chilterns and the Cotswolds are not the Pyrenees!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Give it a try
Janet Sykes

WALKING IN THE FRENCH PYRENEES

Written September 2011
This was my first trip alone with Exodus since becoming a widow . My late husband and I loved walking so I decided on the Pyrenees for my first adventure and wow it surpassed my expectations . I never felt lonely because we walked ,ate and drank together ...infact I would say it has changed my out look on life. Merv our guide was outstanding ,James and Jane also were ( transport and packed lunches different every day)I will be going on another one .
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The guide ( Merv) the group ( different nationalities ) the walking and views.
What did you think of your group leader?
Outstanding !!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Go.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Wish I was on a trip now.
Charles McCarthy

WALKING IN THE FRENCH PYRENEES

Written August 2011
Great location with a knowledgeable and hospitable guide who went out of his way to accommodate the needs of the group. This was a C level week in the Pyrennes which invovlved some high level walks over mountain paths. Challenging and not only for the older members of the group.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Walking through the mountains in a thunder and lightening storm was interesting and showed the Pyrennes in something other than mid summer glory.
Lunch on the final day by lake on the Tarbasou (?) walk gave the swimmers the opportunity to get their kit off and cool down in the lake.
The flora and fauna of the pyrennes was wonderful - having a number of biologists and a particulerly good twitcher added to our enjoymnet of the birdlife enormously.
What did you think of your group leader?
Spot on all rond great guy!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Do your research on the grading of the week - don't sign up for too high a level week - it's your holiday for God's sake!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Want to return to the Pyrennes - this week has really rekindled my enthusiasm and ambitions to do more walking in mountains outside the UK. I'm going to try Via Ferratta in the Dolomites!
Nancy McClean

WALKING IN THE FRENCH PYRENEES

Written August 2011
Blessed with fantastic weather (including one walk that began in hot sun and went on to feature thunder, lightening, atmospheric mist chasing us up the valley and rain turning to hail...all adding positively to the week's experience!), excellent guiding and all round mine of information from Merv, great company of walkers and of course the stunning scenery.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The one day of all weathers rolled into one walk....really made you feel alive.
The awe inspiring variety of views.
What did you think of your group leader?
Absolutely faultless...kind, sensitive to all the varied needs of the group, very well informed, professional and really good company.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Make sure you come with waterproofs that really do work! Take a swimming costume for the walk that has lakes at lunchtime. Walking poles are an advantage and of course decent boots. Don't worry about the "basic" nature of the accomodation...it has lovely hot showers, filling food, plenty of muscle relaxing wine and anyway it is a walking holiday! Do visit the thermal baths and the cable car trip up with a walk down is a good short walk on the day off. Market day in Ax on Thursday morning was fun too.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Feel like I've only scratched the surface of all this region has to offer. Great packed lunches!
Rosalind Poole

WALKING IN THE FRENCH PYRENEES

Written August 2011
It does exactly as it says! I had a fabulous time walking with a great guide to lead our group. Organization superb, made to feel very welcome and scenery second to none - couldn't have asked for more...
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Walking each day took us to differing places and varied terraine - it is hard to narrow it down to the one moment - but I think the walks on the third day and last day were the best. Having said that the fourth day of walking included rain and low cloud which was also really enjoyable ( bizzarly enough!! )
What did you think of your group leader?
The group leader was superb - he made conversation easy and enjoyable. I had complete confidence that we were in good hands.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Walking poles really helped - I am now a convert!!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thank you for a great time and adding a personal touch to a group holiday