Snowshoeing holiday in the French Pyrenees
| country: | France |
| location: | French Pyrenees |
| trip type: | Moderate/Winter walking holidays |
| departures: | 2010: 2 Jan, 9 Jan, 16 Jan, 23 Jan, 30 Jan, 6 Feb, 13 Feb, 20 Feb, 27 Feb, 6 Mar, 13 Mar, 20 Mar, 27 Mar, 3 Apr, 10 Apr, 17 Apr, 24 Apr |
| price: | From €680 (8 days) excluding flights |
| more info: | Price includes 3* half board accommodation, 5 days packed lunches, 5 days guided snowshoeing with a qualified leader and local transport. Minimum age 12. 10% reduction for family accommodation |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Snowshoeing is a great alternative to skiing, for a Winter holiday with a difference - a perfect way to get deep into the beautiful Winter mountains and accessible to everyone with no pre-experience required.
The area around Bareges, in the French Pyrenees, is scattered with wild valleys, frozen lakes and rolling ridge tops - all benefiting from the proximity of high ski roads, which give easy access to thick snow.
Using qualified and experienced guides, we offer snowshoeing walks in the heart of the mountains. The local landscape is totally unspoilt and beautiful, and you can quickly find yourself in perfect wilderness. Make fresh tracks in virgin snow, admire the frost-sculpted trees, spot a rare capercaillie in the forest or a timid white hare, pause for a Wintry picnic and appreciate the views – the Pyrenees in Winter are truly awe-inspiring.
The area around Bareges, in the French Pyrenees, is scattered with wild valleys, frozen lakes and rolling ridge tops - all benefiting from the proximity of high ski roads, which give easy access to thick snow.
Using qualified and experienced guides, we offer snowshoeing walks in the heart of the mountains. The local landscape is totally unspoilt and beautiful, and you can quickly find yourself in perfect wilderness. Make fresh tracks in virgin snow, admire the frost-sculpted trees, spot a rare capercaillie in the forest or a timid white hare, pause for a Wintry picnic and appreciate the views – the Pyrenees in Winter are truly awe-inspiring.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Arrive. Arrive in your own time. Free afternoon. |
| Day 2: | Introduction to snowshoeing in the Fôret de L’Ayré – a winter wonderland of snow-laden trees. We walk through beautiful mixed woodland, following animal tracks, with the chance to see an ermine, deer or white hare. An interesting day discovering snow safety and snow shoeing technique. |
| Day 3: | Pyrenees National Park. A visit to the UNESCO world heritage site of the Cirque de Gavarnie. We walk in the shadow of spectacular 1000m high cliffs and the natural ice sculpture of the Grande Cascade – Europe’s tallest free-hanging waterfall. |
| Day 4: | Cabanes d’Aoubé. A circular walk through deserted Summer pastures, now blanketed with snow. We visit ancient barns and stone circles, whilst gazing across to the towering peaks of the Néouvielle Nature Reserve. |
| Day 5: | Day off for your own exploring. Try downhill skiing in the Tourmalet resort – largest ski area in the French Pyrenees, take a dog-sled ride on the Plateau de Lienz, or relax at the Bareges spa – the highest thermal baths in Europe! |
| Day 6: | Pont d'Espagne and the Marcadau valley. A spectacular, open glacial U-valley scattered with sculpted Scots pines. A breathtaking walk beside a rushing mountain stream, with stunning scenery on every side. |
| Day 7: | Néouvielle Nature Reserve. "Aygues Cluses" valley. We follow a beautiful tumbling stream of perfectly-clear water up to frozen lakes and a remote berger’s cabin surrounded by high peaks. |
| Day 8: | Depart 10am. |
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places. how this holiday makes a difference
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Environment
Snowshoeing is the perfect antidote to the commercial tourism of downhill skiing. You may need to use a bit more leg power for the uphills, but on a snowshoeing trip there is no need for ugly ski lifts or bull-dozed tracks, noisy queues and crowded cafes. We like to keep our groups small (max. 8 guests) to reduce our impact on the environment, avoid the coach party sensation of package holidays and maximise our chance of seeing the elusive wildlife. Discover the totally unspoilt wilderness of the Winter mountains, leaving literally no trace behind you other than your tracks in the snow, and perhaps a few baguette crumbs for the birds! Our 3* accommodation is a traditional 18th century village house, which we have lovingly restored to include plenty of insulation, a modern heating system, water-saving toilet flushes and low-energy light bulbs, plus we recycle over half of our household rubbish. We encourage our guests to reduce their carbon footprint by travelling to the Pyrenees by train. It is straightforward to get to Bareges on public transport, and during your stay we provide group mini-bus transfers, or use the local ski bus, so there is no need for a car. Community We are a family-run company, based in a small, mountain village, where we are year-round residents running a French-registered business. We support the local economy, using the village shops and services, and encouraging our guests to eat and drink at the local restaurants. Our French-style cuisine includes specialities of the region, all produced in the area (our own valley where possible): Bareges-Gavarnie lamb, dry-cured saucisson and country ham from our neighbour – the butcher, Tourmalet honey, hand-made brebis (sheep) cheeses, duck and wines from the SW of France. We feel very much part of the community, and are proud to have been welcomed by the local people, whom we support whole-heartedly. Their customs have become our own, and during your stay, you will discover the history, language, culture and traditions of the valley, as well as learning about the mountain geology, geography, flora and fauna of this delicate environment. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |