Hi
I'm hiking solo in the Pyrennes for two weeks - route similar to that in the LP Walking in Spain book (in reverse) and the GR11. I'm starting in Gavarnie (France) on 15 September and plant to cross over to Torla and join the GR11 from there and head East, hopefully as far as Espot. From what I can make out, it is possible to do this without a tent - staying in refuges which all seem to be open.
If anyone has any advice or similar plans and wants to meet up, let me know.
Edited by: fdy
Possible in 2 weeks. I would recommend carrying a tent for flexibility and if you get held up by bad weather. Also recheck whether refuges are open. Some have the nasty habit of closing down mid-Spetember and so do some village campsites. The Cicerone GR11 guide is from west to east so may be worth considering. I assume you are going to Torla via Bujaruelo so you can follow the GR11 through the Ordessa Canyon. If so it may be worth considering going through the Breche De Roland and back to Gavarnie as a loop. Then proceed via Horquettes d' Alans, Heas and Refuge de Barroude joining up with the GR11 near Bielsa. This I think is a much nicer route and avoids the descent to the Pineta valley. I've never met anybody yet who has had a good word to say about this descent. I've met people who have taken the following day off as a knee recovery day!
Hi Pedro
Thanks for all that advice. I'll recheck the refuges and reconsider taking my tent. Plan is to go to Torla via Bujaruelo. Then take the Faja de Pelay route in Ordessa Canyon. Your suggestion to loop back to Gavarnie sounds interesting. Breche de Roland looks amazing.
General Plan was:
Gavarnie
(Bujareulo)
Torla
Ref. de Goriz
Pineta
Parzan
Biados
Ref. de Estos
Reculusa
R. Conanglais/ Hospital Vielha
R. de Colomers
Espot
Looks ok. Vielha rather than Conanglais. Only thing I would do different is to go round Aneto on the south side (GR11) rather than Reclusa, very remote, 2 shelters (if you don't carry a tent) on route both adequate.
Thanks again Pedro. I've decided to bring my tent, to allow maximum flexibility.
My revised schedule is:
Gavarnie
Torla (via Bujareulo)
R. de Goriz (via Faja de Pelay)
Gavarnie (via Breche de Roland)
(Heas)
R. de Barroude
Parzan
Biados
Camping Aneto/Benasque
Hospital de Viella (or Conanglais) [bus from here Barcelona, so possible finishing point if all doesn't go to plan]
R. de Colomers
(Espot)
La Guinguenta (for bus to Barcelona*)
I have enough time to add a couple of extra days or rest days if required. I'll post here when I return and let you know how I got on...
yes, can purchase tickets on the bus.
You have some long days , some very long days and some shorter days. Not knowing your fitness level I cannot comment on feasibilty , only to say on the shorter days think of taking a bite off the following day.
hey there,
I'm taking the train to Lourdes day after tomorrow - my friend and I want to walk a bit of the GR11 too (we'll arrive in Lourdes fridaymorning, and we've got about two weeks, taking the train back from Luchon on sep 30, in the eve).
We're a bit stuck however on where to start. Reading your post, starting in Gavarnie seems like the best option? However, we'd miss the morning bus from Lourdes to Gavarnie, therefor missing a whole day and only arriving in Gavarnie saturdaynoon)
Would there be another option to start? The cicerone book mentions the connection Lourdes-Pau-Laruns-Col du Portalet - Sallent de Gallego, and starting the GR11 from there ('day 13'). I haven't been able to find info on busconnections so far (could it be they only run in summer?!)
Thanks a lot already!
Any way we can recognise you on the road? ;-)
Don't know about all the way to Sallent de Gallego but this may be of use:
http://www.valleedossau-tourisme.com/fileadmin/ressources/pdf/Pau_-_Vallee_d_Ossau.pdf
Alternately start at day 12 accessible from Pau:
http://telechargement.ter-sncf.com/Images/Aquitaine/Tridion/63-CANFRANC-OLORONSTEMARIE-PAU-V2-2012_tcm-11-14723.pdf
Alternately bus Lourdes to Luz-Saint-Sauveur and taxi to Gavarnie
Alternately bus Lourdes to Cauteret and walk 2 days to Refuge Respumosa (GR11) via Refuge Wallon.
Edited by: pedro555
Hi Sankisha
What time to do you arrive in Lourdes on Friday morning? If you arrive before 11:35 you should be able to get to Gavarnie with two buses:
Lourdes ->Pierrefitte-Nest 11:35-> 12:05
Pierrefitte-Nest -> Gavarnie 13:15 -> 14:21
http://www.transports-maligne.fr/docs/Tarbes__Lourdes___Bareeges_ea_compter_du_04092012.pdf
http://www.transports-maligne.fr/docs/Tarbes_Gavarnie_ea_compter_du_04_septembre_2012.pdf
Hope that helps.
Hey Pedro & Fdy,
thanks a lot, great tips!
Fdy, we arrive in Lourdes at 10.15, so we can get the bus you suggest. How nice is that! :-)
Vickymouse, thanks for your concern... We've both got a sleeping bag of comfort -5, and a good tent, that should be ok.
Fdy, you've inspired us with your route, and we're planning on taking it slow (and deifinitely skipping the descend via Piñeta valley - thanks Pedro!) so you'll probably catch up with us...
Have a nice walk!