Pyrenees

Adventure Holidays to the Pyrenees

Stretching from the Atlantic Coast to the Mediterranean, the Pyrenees are a dramatic range of mountains stretching for 400km and forming a 'frontiere sauvage' between France and Spain. They are a mountain range renowned for their mixed limestone and granite geology, rugged peaks, deep canyons and almost endless opportunities for activities and exploration. Although not as high as the Alps, they are no less spectacular, with such dramatic views as the limestone cliffs of the Cirque de Gavarnie and the pass of the Breche de Roland. Along the length the Pyrenees runs one of Europe's really great long-distance footpaths, the GR10, and the whole range is excellent for trekking and cycling, whether it be road riding over the famous Cols of the Tour de France or heart-stopping mountain biking. In winter the activities go on, with superb snow shoeing and cross-country skiing. As well as the breathtaking scenery, the Pyrenees offer a wonderful chance to see the diversity of the French and Spanish people, with strong influences of the Basque in the west and Catalan in the east. Spa towns, thermal baths, great French and Spanish food and wine, and for the most part they remain wonderfully secluded.