Hiking in the Pyrenees

Find your hiking trail in the Pyrenees

There’s no shortage of incredible trails to discover for hiking in the Pyrenees. The range that forms a natural border between Spain and France, offering many hiking trails that are perfect for all levels of experience and preferences. The Pyrenees stretch for about 500km from the Bay of Biscay in the west to the Mediterranean Sea in the east, which means they have a diverse range of terrains and ecosystems.

GR10

One of the most well-known long-distance hiking trails in the Pyrenees is the GR10, which goes along the entire French side of the range. This trail covers approximately 922km, starting from Hendaye on the Atlantic coast and ending at Banyuls-sur-Mer on the Mediterranean coast. The GR10 is well-marked and features a mix of challenging ascents, descents, and relatively easier sections, passing through charming villages, high-altitude meadows, and dense forests.

GR11

On the Spanish side, the GR11, also known as the Ruta Transpirenaica, mirrors the GR10’s route but on the southern slopes of the Pyrenees, going from the Basque Country to Catalonia. It is approximately 840km and passes through some of the most famous hiking regions in Spain. Additionally, the GR11 is slightly more rugged and isolated compared to the GR10, which means you will have a more solitary experience in these awe-inspiring landscapes.

Haute Randonnée Pyrénéenne (HRP)

If you’re looking for a challenge, the HRP is a more difficult trail in the Pyrenees that requires you to have sharp backcountry skills and experience. It follows a higher and more direct route through the central part of the range, often crossing the border between France and Spain. This trail has fewer markings and requires advanced navigation skills, as well as a high level of fitness due to the steep and remote sections it covers.

National Parks

However, it’s not all long-distance trails! There are many day hikes and shorter routes in the many national parks in the Pyrenees. The Pyrenees National Park in France and the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park in Spain offer numerous day hikes and multi-day treks. In the Pyrenees National Park, popular trails include the Cirque de Gavarnie, a natural amphitheater with waterfalls and sheer cliffs, and the ascent to Vignemale, the highest peak in the French Pyrenees at 3,298 meters. The Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park features the Ordesa Valley, where trails like the Cola de Caballo go through gorges, forests, and up to the Monte Perdido Massif.

Additionally, the Carros de Foc in the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park in Spain is a circular route that connects nine mountain refuges over 55 kilometers, showcasing the region’s unique glacial lakes and granite peaks.