PYRENEES: THE GR10

Day 1
Fly to Toulouse; transfer to Gourette, a small ski centre and a convenient start point for our trek. Spend the first night under canvas.

Day 2
Our first day's walking takes us across two low cols (mountain passes) the Col de Tortes and Saucede, spending our second night at a campsite in the small town of Arrens-Marsous at 877 metres.

Day 3
For the next two nights we will not see our support vehicle and bags, as we will be staying in mountain huts that don’t have vehicle access. This means we will need to carry a few spare clothes and washkit in our backpacks for 2 nights and 3 days of walking.
A long day takes us over the Col des Borderes to Estaing and then southeast under the north side of the Pic du Midi D’Arrens. We pass the Lac d’Estaing before starting the long climb to the Col d’Ilheou (2242m), stopping at the refuge of the same name situated by Lac d’Ilheou (1988m).

Day 4
A rewarding (and long) day, first ascending the Col de la Haugade (2311m) surrounded by peaks, descending to Pont d'Espagne and then ascending the lovely Vallee de Gaube to the Refuge des Oulettes (2151m). This mountain hut is located underneath the north face of Vignemale (3219m), one of the Pyrenees' most celebrated mountains. All afternoon we will have this beautiful peak in our sights as we make the ascent towards the hut.

Day 5
From the hut we ascend to the Hourquette d'Ossoue pass (2734m) where there may be the chance to head up to the Petit Vignemale (3032m) before we continue east on a classic high mountain trail that eventually leads down towards the village of Gavarnie, gateway to the famous Cirque de Gavarnie. Dropping down to the village we re-join our support vehicle and camp for two nights in the village (1365m).

Day 6
A well-earned rest day in the lovely surroundings of Gavarnie. The village itself is very busy with visitors (especially in August), but a walk up into the Cirque is rewarded with stunning views of one of Europe's great wonders, with its soaring limestone cliffs and 400 metre high waterfall (one of Europe's highest falls).

Day 7
From the village of Gavarnie we head north down the main valley, ascending to 1826m, with fantastic views back to the Cirque de Gavarnie. We spend the night in the rural campsite at St. Bazerque (850m).

Day 8
After an easier walk down towards the town of Luz (690m) we ascend steeply to the forest and then probably use an alternative route (due to ongoing forestry work) to descend to Vielha and then ascend through the villages of Viey and Sers. We then make our descent into the small ski town of Bareges (1147m).

Day 9
The next two days offer some of the finest walking in the central Pyrenees. The landscape is wild and rugged and almost uninhabited. We will climb up to the Col de Madamete (2509m) with excellent views in both directions. Looking south over the Lac de Neouvielle we see the peaks of Neouvielle, Pic Long and Monte Perdido. From the col there is an optional ascent of Pic de Madamete (2657m). We then descend to Lac d'Aubert where we 'wild camp' on the shore, inside the Reserve Naturelle de Neouvielle (2148m).

Day 10
A long day over 2 cols (2260m & 2215m) and past more lovely lakes, brings us to the long descent towards the village of St Lary-Soulan where we spend the night in the valley bottom at about 800 metres.

Day 11
An easier walk over lower terrain. Firstly a climb up through the charming villages of Estensan and Azet, then over a low col (1586m) and into the Vallee de Louron. We stay in the village of Loudenvielle for our last night under canvas (960m). An opportunity to soak up the local thermals, go boating on the lake, or use the outdoor pool.

Day 12
We start with a long steep ascent over the Couret d'Esquierry at 2131 metres. Here we leave the department of Haute Pyrenees and enter Haute Garonne. A steep descent through woods takes us down to the Granges d'Astau to spend the night in the Gite d'Etape.

Day 13
We climb up to Lac d’Oo for views of its impressive waterfall, before ascending further towards the dramatic Cirque d’Espingo. Now high above Lac d’Oo, we head towards Superbagneres, the small ski station that sits at 1800 metres above our final destination. The walk takes us over three cols, reaching 2275m before descending to Luchon (586m). There is a cable car (not included and seasonal only, taxi option available) that can take us down the 1200 metres to town, or the really determined can descend through the woods to the valley bottom. We spend two nights in a hotel in Luchon.

Day 14
Luchon is a pretty spa town, famous since Roman times for its natural vaporium. There are plenty of restaurants and shops as well as mountain activities available. You can take the cable car to Superbagneres for an exhilarating tandem paragliding descent back to town, hire a mountain bike for a day, or just soak up the atmosphere of this appealing French town. Les Thermes (thermal baths) are open in the afternoon and are a great way to relax at the end of the trip.

Day 15
Transfer to Toulouse; fly to London.