Guided Walking Holidays in The Pyrenees

Price
£1375
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June and September
Handpicked routes for intermediate walkers on Pyrenees Classics
Country
Spain
Grade
Moderate
Duration
7 nights
Style
Guided
Type
Centre Based
Price
£1375
Explore the invigorating and diverse Valle de Tena
high in the Spanish Pyrenees

This holiday, walking in the Pyrenees National Park,  has been designed specifically for intermediate walkers, a custom experience for those in search of remote and wild walking holiday in the Pyrenees. Each day (except Thursday, your rest day), enjoy some of the best medium-level walks in and around the Valle de Tena, returning every evening to your base at Hotel Sabocos in Panticosa. 

The Valle de Tena boasts a compelling mix of landscapes. From the calm pastures and gentle streams of the Col du Pourtalet, to the striking crimson rocks of the Vértice and Pico de Anayet, to the great mountain lakes of Brazatos, Azules, Bachimaña and Respomuso and the high granite peaks and rocky cols in and around Balaïtous and the Picos del Infierno, there’s something here for everyone. All our walks are tried and tested gems, and include classic walks both in the Pyrenees National Park and the Ordesa & Monte Perdido National Park. Our itineraries will also take in sections of both the GR10 and GR11. 

After each walk, we’ll return to our base in delightful Panticosa, nestled high in the Valle de Tena in the Alto Aragón region of Spain. In this charming village, traditional stone houses line the narrow streets around a 13th-century Romanesque church. Surrounded by Spain’s westernmost concentration of 3000m peaks, Panticosa is an ideal springboard for a week of adventure – offering the perfect blend of location, old world charm, and modern amenities. 

At a glance

Dates

9-16 June 2024
23 – 30 June 2024 – 1 place remaining
8 – 15 September 2024 – 2 places remaining
Groups are limited to a maximum of 8 people

Price

£1375
Single Supplement – £125 

Grade

Moderate
Expect to be walking for 4-6 hours each day with between 500-700m of ascent/descent each day.

What’s Included

7 nights half board at 3* Hotel Sabocos, Panticosa including bed & breakfast (7 nights) and 3-course dinner with wine (6 nights, not Thursday, your rest day).
Packed lunches each walk day (5 days)
5 guided walks led by a qualified mountain leader
Transport to/from trailheads each walk day
Transfers to/from Zaragoza airport or ‘Delicias’ rail station
Lunch, dinner, transport and activities on your rest day (Thursday) are not included.

Travel

This holiday is based in Panticosa. We recommend that you fly into Zaragoza Airport and join our transfer (2hrs, included), which meets the inbound Ryanair flight from Stansted Airport which lands at 1705.

If however you plan to be in Zaragoza already, or to arrive by fast train from either Madrid (1 hr 20 mins, approx €80 return) or Barcelona, you can also join a transfer at the ‘Delicias’ rail station at 1200.

Private transfers are also available to/from Zaragoza or Lourdes Airport (2 hrs, approx. £240 each way for up to 8 people).

Outbound Transfers – these drop off at Zaragoza Delicias rail station at 11:45, and at Zaragoza airport at 15:45 in good time for the Ryanair flight which departs at 17:40. Please bear this in mind when booking onward travel.

Itinerary

panticosa-village

Sun - Arrive & Settle in

From Zaragoza, we’ll transfer you to the delightful Hotel Sabocos, our base in Panticosa. Nestled high in the Valle de Tena, this will be your ‘home from home’ during your stay. After a quick check-in, you can settle into your room before the evening welcome briefing and dinner in the restaurant. 

punta-del-pacina

Mon - Punta del Pacino

Route statistics: 10.5km, 500m ascent/descent

Your first route in the heart of the Valle de Tena will help you find your walking legs, orientate yourself and settle in to your week in the Pyrenees. This circular walk boasts extensive views from Punta del Pacino, summit of the Valle de Tena, the imposing Sierra de la Partacua, and the many 3000m peaks which make up the Franco‐Spanish border ridge north of the vibrant village of Sallent de Gallego.

Reflection of the Anayet peak in the Ibones de Anayet

Tue - The Ibones de Anayet

Route statistics: 14.5km, 600m ascent/descent

Today’s adventure is a wonderful circular walk to the picturesque and idyllic lakes of Ibones de Anayet, nestled below the deep crimson slopes of the Vértice de Anayet. You’ll be treated to amazing views across the abyss-like ‘Canal Roya’ and the frontier ridge, which moves towards the iconic Pic du Midi d’Ossau in France.

The beautiful Ordesa Valley

Wed - Ordesa & Monte Perdido National Park

On this day of walking, depending on the group, there are two enticing options to choose from:

Camino de las Cascadas – up to 19km, 500m ascent/descent

This is a classic walk through delightful beech, pine and fir forests that takes in the many magnificent waterfalls dotted along the floor of the Ordesa canyon. Idyllic riverside picnic spots await you in the open pastures near the impressive ‘Circo de Soaso’, where stunning views of the canyon’s 1,000m cliffs can be enjoyed. This is a ‘there and back’ walk, so its length and ascent/descent can be adjusted to suit.

Faja de Petazals – 12.5km, 600m ascent/descent

This spectacular balcony shelf walk along the northern edge of the Valle de Ordesa provides walkers with great views of the abyss valley below, the near vertical southern slopes of the canyon, and the impressive and ‘off the beaten track’ Circo de Cotatuero.

waiter serving beer at a Spanish restaurant with a table full of tapas

Thu - Rest day

On your rest day, indulge in a well-deserved lie-in (breakfast is served until 10am!) before spending the day relaxing in Panticosa. There are no guided walks. Dinner is not provided and guests have an opportunity to eat out locally. Your guide will be happy to propose a local restaurant and make a booking on your behalf, if invited to do so. 

ayous-lakes-pic-du-midi

Fri - The Ayous Lakes Circuit, Pyrenees National Park

Route statistics: 15km, 700m ascent/descent

Today’s classic Pyrenean walk takes in numerous lakes and yields superb views across to the iconic Pic Du Midi d’Ossau and Pic Casterau. This route provides wonderful changes of scenery from a beech forest to open flatlands with a meandering river. For those in search of a shorter walk, there is also the option to complete a ‘there and back’ walk to Refuge Ayous, nestled above one of the lovely lakes on this circuit.

hiking-the-GR11-with-Collett_s-day-03-096

Sat - Bachimana & the Ibones Azules

Route statistics: 12km, 700m ascent/descent

Finish with a high altitude walk to the Embalse Bachimana. This route offers sweeping views across Banos de Panticosa and towards the Sierra de Partacua, while also providing walkers a glimpse of the remote mountain wilderness that characterises the Spanish Pyrenees. Refreshment awaits you at Refugio Bachimana, perched high in the Spanish mountains.

panticosa-village

Sun - Depart

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and time to pack. Our transfers are designed to get you to the airport in good time for the return Ryanair flight to London Stansted which departs at 1740. We also offer an earlier transfer which drops off at the rail station at 1145. 

Your base in the Pyrenees is the excellent 3-star Hotel Sabocos, situated a short distance from the village centre. Our good friends Abelardo and Pia have been hosting Collett’s guests for over 14 years in this warm and welcoming hotel.  The hotel provides modern, comfortable and immaculately clean accommodation in en-suite bedrooms – many with balconies enjoying mountain views. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.The hotel boasts a spacious first floor lounge – bursting with comfy armchairs, sofas and cosy alcoves, with french windows leading out to a large terrace with majestic views. It’s the perfect place to relax with a book or to sit with friends over a post-walk drink.  It’s café-bar opens onto a sun-drenched terrace with views to the stunning cliffs of the Sierra de la Partacua.

Breakfasts are generous and buffet-style, and you’re sure to leave each morning feeling refuelled. Dinner is ordered from a set menu, usually with at least 2 choices for each course. Expect typically local cuisine, ideal for days out on the mountain. For vegetarians and other dietary needs, there will be less choice and variation, but every year it gets better. 

Need to Knows

Itinerary – Please note that while this is the intended itinerary, the exact programme may differ slightly if trail or weather conditions necessitate.

Terrain Walks on this trip use way-marked paths which can be steep, rocky and loose underfoot. Some short sections are very steep and may be considered by some to be exposed. Previous hiking experience, surefootedness, a good head for heights and a good level of fitness are essential.

Maximum altitude – the maximum altitude on this holiday is 2300m above sea level.

 

Booking Conditions – be sure to read our full terms and conditions here before booking.

At Your Own Risk – please read the important notes here.

Travel Advice – check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination. For UK citizens, check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice here.

Passport & Visa –  any questions should be directed to the relevant embassy of your destination country; find out more here. It is your responsibility to be in possession of a full passport, valid for your chosen destination.

Travel Insurance – having adequate and valid travel insurance is a condition of booking with us. Details of our insurance partner, Campbell Irvine, are here.

Health Information – You should carry either an European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)  Neither is an alternative to adequate travel insurance. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice and https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/

ABTA – Independent travel advice and help is always available from ABTA by calling 020 3117 0599 or visiting www.abta.com.

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