The Pyrenees are the most beautiful mountains on the border between France and Spain. On this hike, you'll combine immersion in the wilderness, walks through ancient Spanish cities, and even relaxing by the sea! Grand Canyon Ordesa is as spectacular as the American Grand Canyon, and even surpasses it in variety. Climbing the mysterious Lost Mountain, 3355 m, the third highest and undoubtedly the most beautiful peak in the Pyrenees. The landscape of this mountain, with its hundred-meter waterfalls, wildlife and cave camps of ancient man, is so unique that it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A well-developed network of shelters and campsites allows you to pass our route, both with tents and sleeping every day under a roof. Most of the trekking in the Pyrenees we will hike light, and heavy backpacks will not weigh on our shoulders.
We do not cancel or shift groups. If the manager approved the purchase of a ticket, you can surely buy it. The hike will not be canceled due to our fault.
Kuluar experienced teamleaders will accompany the group along the entire route, making your hiking as memorable and safe as possible!
The manager, who will advise you before the trip, has been to Norway herself and will tell you the details from personal experience!
No one else has such a trekking route in the Pyrenees. We live all days in tents, but only 2 trekking days with a big backpack, and the other days are radial hikes.
More than 12,000 participants have already gone to the mountains with the Kuluar and 97,8% were satisfied.
Early in the morning we meet in Barcelona and go on to the mountains. We won't get bored on the road. Medieval castles, ancient monasteries, manicured vineyards, and citrus orchards swiftly pass by the windows. But we need to go further - we leave the bustling Catalonia and get into the province of Aragon. The tranquility and grandeur of Aragonese towns will pleasantly surprise you after the hustle and bustle of Barcelona. Hidden in the heart of the mountains is the cozy village of Torla. It's not called the gateway to the Pyrenees for nothing - this is where most of the Pyrenean trekking starts. We will start here too, but first we will stay overnight in a campsite, surrounded by forest, high cliffs and the noise of the river. In the evening we go out for a hike to get a better view of Torla and its surroundings, and we go back over the ancient Puente de la Glera bridge.
Today we have to climb to the top of Mondiciero (Mondiciero, 2287 m). We leave our things at the campsite, taking only a snack and the essentials. From the top there is a beautiful view of the famous Ordesa Canyon, where we will go the next day. If someone finds this walk insufficient, we can walk to the waterfalls at the beginning of the canyon in the evening.
Distance: 15 km; climb: 1300 m
Early in the morning we go on by bus to the entrance of the national park of Ordesa and Monte Perdido. It is the oldest park in Spain and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its unique nature, and we will see that it is not a coincidence that it is there. It is also called the European Grand Canyon. But is it possible to compare the sun-burned deserts of the American Canyon to the wilderness riot of the Spanish Pyrenees? We will start our journey among pine and birch trees, pass through mysterious boxwood and beech forests, and spend the night in the motley grass of alpine meadows. During the whole day we will be accompanied by waterfalls: huge cascades of several hundred meters, small, as if jumping from steps, wide and full-flowing - do not even try to count them! And above all this beauty silently overhanging high cliffs. But we have to go forward, the surprises are not over for today. At the exit of the canyon the real Via Ferrata awaits us. It's an almost steep section of rock, equipped with chains and railings for comfort. A great place to see if you are afraid of heights and if you like rock climbing. But don't worry, it can be bypassed on an easier trail. Finally, there's the Goris Shelter, our overnight stay for a few days. We set up our tents under the watchful eye of marmots. If you want you can stay in the shelter.
Distance: 12 km; climb: 800 m
Our trekking in the Pyrenees continues. Today we leave our things in the shelter, and we set off lightly on the trail. The forest is far below, and a realm of rocks and mountain peaks awaits us. Along the steep cliffs on the trail we head for the famous Breche de Roland Pass (Breche Roland). A beautiful legend says that this break in the hundred-meter stone wall arose when the fairy-tale knight Roland, in despair from defeat, tried to destroy his sword Durandal. Beyond the pass begins France, and, if there is strength and desire left, we will walk on to the edge of the Circo de Gavarnie (circus of Gavarnie). It is a majestic amphitheater of rocks, and the two-hundred-meter waterfall, flowing from its precipices, has long been considered the highest in Europe. Gavarnie is the most popular place in the French Pyrenees, but most tourists see this beauty from below, while we have a great opportunity to stand on the edge of kilometers of cliffs.
Distance 14 km; climb: 700 m
Today we are also going without heavy backpacks. But this does not mean that it will be very easy. If anyone is tired of yesterday's beauty, you can stay in the camp. After all, we have to climb the third highest peak in the Pyrenees - Monte Perdido. Steep slopes and narrow rocky paths will accompany us the whole route. We have more than one kilometer to climb, but we can do it, because we have the whole day to do it, and the views from the top are worth it! We will also wash our feet in a high-mountain glacial lake.
Distance 8 km; climb: 1200 m, drop: 1200 m
We say goodbye to Goris Shelter, pack our empty backpacks, and head back to Torla at the top of the canyon. The high bluffs we used to see from below are now at our feet. If we're lucky, we'll meet some mountain goats along the way. We spend the night at the same campsite as the first day.
Distance 16 km; climb: 150 m, drop: 1200 m
We say goodbye to the mountains and drive to Barcelona. After the hike, we recommend spending a few days on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. If time permits, we will visit the cozy and very atmospheric town of Ainsa, the capital of the medieval principality of Sobrarbe.
A manager will advise you about equipment, help you find the best air tickets, and share information on hotels. You make your own payments and purchases. If you want the manager to buy the ticket for you, it is possible, but for extra money, because it is a big responsibility. More in the article: additional services and service fee
Depending on the weather conditions, condition and general wishes of the group, the teamleader has the right to make changes to the route.
To visit Spain citizens of Ukraine must have a biometric passport. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the end of the trip.
You must have no illnesses from this list in order to participate in the hike.
As always, we recommend that you buy your tickets in advance. You should buy tickets only after our confirmation of your participation in the trip. Our recommendations on tickets, as well as ways to get from the airport to the city read in detail in the article: "How to get to Barcelona. Transfer from the airport to the city".
Our recommendations on flight selection services can be found in this article.
You need good insurance to participate in the program. Please do not neglect this item. For some participants, it saved thousands of dollars. You can find our recommendations for taking out insurance here: "Insurance for Kuluar hikers"
Surely you are wondering what we will eat on a hike? Let's just say that you don't have to worry. Many participants say they eat better on the hike than they do at home. The basis of the menu is a simple meal of cereals and soups. You should not count on gourmet delicacies (although they can be).
If you do not eat any products, be sure to inform the manager so that the guide can slightly adjust the menu for you. We also recommend taking some yummies with you - nuts or sweets. Appetite on a hike is much better than at home.
Please note that the menu shown is indicative only. Team leaders usually have their signature dishes that they love to pamper participants with.
Features of nutrition for vegetarians - if you do not eat meat, be sure to read. We tell here how we will feed you and at the same time we give you a 5% discount to the hiking.
On a trekking in the Pyrenees we sleep in tents. The first 2 nights and the last night we live in a cozy camping in Torla. There are showers, toilets, store, cafe, wi-fi (not good), near the river. Cell phone reception is good. The rest of the days of the hike we spend the night near Refugio de Góriz at an altitude of 2200m. The temperature here is much lower. So, take with you a down jacket/vest, hat, gloves. There is a toilet, there are no showers. There is a cafe in the shelter, where you can eat or buy something tasty, but the prices there are times higher than below. There is no cell phone service
The meeting place of the group is the minibus station in Barcelona near the Barselona Sants train station. If you are facing the station, the buses will be on the right side across the street. 7-10 days before the hike we will send you the exact time and place of the group gathering and contacts of our teamleader.
As sad as it sounds, Barcelona is a city full of thieves and crooks. So, our advice - do not carry purses and phone in outer pockets of clothes or in a backpack behind the back, keep your bag with a purse tighter and closer to your body, and documents put in an internal shirt pocket (if possible), in cafes on tables do not put phones and do not hang your purse on the headboard of chairs, do not leave unattended your bags/backpacks, always keep all your things in sight.
The total amount of obligatory expenses not included in the price will be about 70 € + air tickets. But we recommend to take about 50-100 € for souvenirs and food in the cafes.
*Please note: It is not the manager's task to choose a separate flight for each participant. The manager gives general recommendations from his experience and shares flights of other participants, so you can fly together. It's up to the participant to select and purchase his own convenient airfare. If you want the manager to buy you a ticket, book a hotel or an additional excursion, read the terms and conditions on the page: additional services.
In order to book a place in the group, you need to make an advance payment of 60 euros. We recommend to do it as early as possible. Methods of payment and conditions of return in case of refusal or withdrawal from the route here. The rest of the sum is to be returned to the guide on the first day of the program.
