Interesting places in the Pyrenees

The Pyrenees are neither the Caucasus nor the Alps, but in these mountains there are many peaks with interesting routes. And, of course, lakes, waterfalls and caves.

The Pyrenees is a chain of medium-high mountains oriented NW to the southeast on the border of France and Spain. Young mountains formed in the era of alpine folding. The tectonic movements here were weaker than in the Alps and the Caucasus, which led to the formation of a folded massif 2-3 km high composed of limestones and penetrated by granite intrusions.

Highest points: pico Aneto (Spain) in the Aneto massif, Posets of the Maladetta massif. In the French Pyrenees, the Vignemale granite massif dominates with its famous ice 800th de Gaube lobby and the most beautiful and famous place is the Govarnie massif (3200-3300) with its highest waterfall in Europe (about 800m) and ice caves located at an altitude of 2 - 2.5 km. The 1200-meter-high wall of Govarni attracts many mountaineering enthusiasts. Especially many Spaniards are on its difficult mixed routes, and not all of them climb safely.

Those who prefer trekking will find inexhaustible possibilities for themselves in the Pyrenees. The uniqueness of these mountains lies in a rather large amount of precipitation combined with low watersheds and natural lakes framed by steep cliffs along the shores. There are many artificial lakes that serve as a source of electricity and are used in regulating the water level in rivers for agricultural needs). It is difficult to distinguish them from natural ones, since they fit organically into the surrounding landscape very organically. Many easy routes run along the shores of such lakes. Everywhere there are hotels, auberges, refuges.

In national parks, it is officially forbidden to spend the night in tents, but this is unlikely to stop the Russians putting up tents in secluded places.

Numerous waterfalls connecting lakes located at different heights are very attractive for those traveling in the mountains. The most popular in this regard is the Colomies (Les “Acantants”) area in Spain. The best season in the Pyrenees is when the snow has already fallen down below and the lush greens are blooming, and there is plenty of it at the top. At the height of the season in August and Christmas (skiing), the number of tourists is very large, which travelers may not always enjoy looking for solitude. March, when the sun heats the snow on which a fir board forms with excellent glide, is perfect for ski-tour walks.

In the Pyrenees it is almost always warm, for the five-year practice of almost weekly trips, even in the winter and spring seasons, we never needed to wear Polartec jackets under Gere-Tex during the day. Weather is predicted by the weather service for a period of up to 5 days with a reliability of 80% to different areas of the Pyrenees, so climbing or walking in the mountains can be planned in advance.

In order to find out the weather you just need to dial a number:

08-36-68-02 - and region number: 09 - Ariege. 64, 65 - Hautes Pyrenees

In conclusion, a few words about the speleological aspect of travel in the Pyrenees. Here you will find a large variety of caves, including the famous cave paintings in prehistoric grottoes (Ariege), which provide guided tours, beautiful guarded caves with fantastic stalactites and underground lakes, as well as numerous sports caves, including Henne-Morte 800 deep -1000 meters, which in the middle of the 20th century was the deepest in the world. Most caves are dry and cold, so it’s good to stock up on a canister of another port to successfully move forward under often icy vaults. Full list of the interesting places in the Pyrenees is here.

With its heavenly natural surroundings and holy pilgrimage sites, the Pyrenees region is a spiritually inspiring place. The main attractions are Cirque de Gavarnie, a natural cathedral built of granite rock walls towering at an altitude of 3000 meters, and the sanctuary in Lourdes, the largest Catholic pilgrimage church in France. The region also has an abundance of Romanesque churches that stopped along the medieval pilgrim trail in Santiago de la Compostela in Spain. After the hospitality of travelers for centuries, the Pyrenees region is still an ideal place to search for souls or adventure.

The Pyrenees offer a magnificent landscape of high mountains, green valleys, dramatic gorges, pristine lakes and rapid waterfalls. Important cities lie along the rivers, creating a calm atmosphere. Hautes-Pyrénées covers the Pyrenees National Park (Pyrenees Mountains National Park), which borders Spain. This high-rise landscape has wonderful hiking trails through forests and gorges, past streams and waterfalls, and in winter it is a popular ski area. Pyrénées-Bernaises is the historic region of Bearn, a traditional province where vine-covered hills are dotted with story villages and ancient castles. Every corner of the Pyrenees is worth exploring, from alpine peaks to tiny picturesque cities.