The spectacular mountains of the Pyrenees stretch for 480km from the Atlantic coast across to the Mediterranean, forming an impressive natural frontier between France and Spain. These mountains have a rugged grandeur that will entrance you. As well as accommodating some of Europe’s most exhilarating high and moderate walking trails, they host some staggering flora and fauna – and numerous quaint and traditional mountain villages, which overflow with character and charm.
The backbone of the range, the frontier ridge, lies just to the north of our base in Panticosa. It is a chaotic jigsaw of wild rock formations and crags, which reach for the sky with many soaring effortlessly above 3000m. These peaks dominate much of the Valle de Tena, our home in the Pyrenees. This glacial valley boasts the vast limestone walls of the impressive Sierra de la Partacua and the Sierra de Tendeñera, which rise abruptly in the south, forming much of the overwhelming panorama that is enjoyed from Hotel Sabocos in Panticosa. This hotel is our base for each of our guided centre-based walking holidays in the Pyrenees, and is also used on our self-guided village-to-village holiday, too. A little lower down a majestic mountain landscape unfolds with a heady mix of lush green meadows, abyss-like canyons, awe-inspiring cirques, azure blue lakes, u-shaped valleys, pristine woodlands, sparkling tarns and cascading streams.
Not surprisingly, walkers have been coming to the Pyrenees for years, venturing into this magnificent terrain from picturesque mountain villages. From Panticosa our guided trips visit both the Spanish and the French sides of the frontier ridge. In spite of their proximity to each other, the differences between the two sides are quite dramatic. Our walks will help you see just how different the Spanish and the French sides are in an area where the common denominator is breathtaking mountain scenery.
Whatever it is that brings you to the Pyrenees, you are sure to thrive here. Whether you join one of our guided trips or choose to self-guide from village-to-village and whether you seek high level adventure or more moderate days out in the lower hills and valleys. Either way, the extensive knowledge of our local mountain guides or our comprehensive walk notes for self-guiders will ensure that you enjoy a succession of memorable walks in these beautiful mountains.
We believe the wilder character of the Pyrenees gives you the opportunity to experience one of Europe’s last largely undeveloped mountain ranges. The walking is superb and hill walkers who enjoy a more untouched and undeveloped landscape are sure to feel at home here.
Routes vary from walks across grassy pastures and plateaus, to high trails, which wind their way through the peaks of the frontier ridge. Old trading, pilgrim and smuggling routes thread the mountain cols, whilst the wonderfully exposed ‘fajas’ of the Ordesa canyon are the ultimate in high level exhilaration.
People in search of self-guided, village-to-village walking, where your luggage is moved to your next hotel each day, can venture out on a superb selection of delightful walks, which unravel in the enchanting foothills beneath towering peaks. You will discover woodland, rich with fauna; idyllic upland pastures, profuse and vibrant with flowers; and picturesque hamlets, where time seemingly stands still. It is a pleasure to wander into an enchanting, sleepy hamlet and sit at the table of a rustic café, gazing at the seemingly unbroken rim of peaks that surround the valleys and provide the high level walker with an extensive variety of mouthwatering adventures. That said, there are a handful of walks at high level that are not too challenging and these routes allow the less ambitious walkers to enjoy days out at higher level.
If you prefer to be led by a local mountain guide, we look forward to helping you explore the exhilarating trails that will make for some unforgetable days out. Our trips access many local classics, such as the awe-inspiring Ordesa and Monte Perdido UNESCO National Park, the Pic du Midi d’Ossau Circuit and the stunning peaks and trails above the Valle de Tena.
For example, the cliffs of Ordesa are home to the uniquely dramatic rock cornices known as ‘fajas’, high altitude balconies of stone formed over millions of years. Along them cling sensational walking routes of varying exposures, providing walkers at every turn with adrenalin fuelled views of the canyon and its many magnificent fairytale waterfalls.
Nestled high in the Valle de Tena, is the charming village of Panticosa – a labyrinth of traditional stone built houses lining narrow streets around a 13th century Romanesque church. It is a tranquil mountain village, which has retained much of its old world charm, whilst providing for the modern day visitor with a handful of shops, bars and other amenities including an outdoor swimming pool. There is an easy-going pace of life and there is a certain charm to sitting with a drink at the café in the village square watching the world go by.
Panticosa is the main base for all our guided trips, and is an overnight stop on our self-guided village-to village-holidays. It is a superb springboard from which to venture out into this beautiful region and it’s numerous trails, magnificent scenery and mountain huts.
