Spanish Pyrenees self guided walking holiday
Highlights
Albella | Walking route options include: Ordesa National Park, Monte Perdido National Park, Sierra de Guara, Geopark of Sobrabre | Unspoilt Spanish Pyrenees villagesDescription of Spanish Pyrenees self guided walking holiday
You’ll be exploring an untouched rural corner of the Spanish Pyrenees on this eight-day self-guided walking holiday.Run by Lucy and Simon, a husband and wife team, from their exquisitely converted 17th Century farmhouse in the small farming community of Albella, this holiday gives you the chance to explore some of Spain’s most beautiful walking country - the Ordesa National Park, Monte Perdido National Park, the Sierra de Guara and the Geopark of Sobrabre – at your own pace.
While this is self-guided, Lucy and Simon are always on hand to offer advice on which routes to take, to give insights into the local wildlife and geology or to give you insider tips on where to find the tastiest local food. They can also offer recommendations for cultural trips and sightseeing visits, giving you endless options for your holiday.
This holiday is very flexible – your walking routes can vary in difficulty and length, and can be finalised the night before or even over a delicious local breakfast dependent on up to date weather forecasts and how you are feeling. You will receive an information pack about the Spanish Pyrenees before you leave and route cards for each of the walks are easy to follow and packed with additional information about cultural and geological points of interest, and local flora and fauna.
Each night you will return to your spacious farmhouse room with luxury en-suite bathroom, to relax and enjoy the spectacular views down the valley.
This holiday is available year round subject to availability at the farmhouse and includes bed and breakfast, all refreshments, three evening meals at the farmhouse (three course with wine and coffee), daily picnics, route cards and maps. Flights and transfers are available separately.
Options are also available for guided walking, or to combine your walking holiday with other activities such as Spanish tuition, cooking classes or wildlife spotting.
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about this holiday or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.
01273 823 700 Calling from outside the UK? rosy@responsibletravel.com
Check dates
2021: 25 Jul, 1 Aug, 8 Aug, 15 Aug
Responsible tourism
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we screen every trip so you can travel knowing your holiday will help support conservation and local people.
We are passionate about the environment and the wildlife where we live. The Ordesa National Park is a World Biosphere Reserve and a ‘Special Protection Area for Birds’ with over 171 species, including the rare Lammergeier or Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus Barbatus). We support the Lammergeier Conservation Foundation by using guides from the Foundation, visiting the raptor feeding stations with guests and selling the Foundation T-shirts. This helps fund a breeding program in our area which has had great success. Our walks are led by experts in the area (or accompanied by information packs when self-guided) and ensure that fragile environments are not degraded in any way when walking. There are also well over 100 species of butterflies and moths in our area, including the rare and beautiful Isabelina Moth (Actias Isabellae) and the Giant Peacock Moth (Saturnia Pyri). We have been successful in hatching the eggs and releasing the caterpillars for these moths.
At the farmhouse we have geothermal heating and hot water with minimal environmental impact. We also harvest rainwater for both the irrigation of our vegetable patch and garden, and for the washing machine.
We recycle all we can, including building materials and furniture. For example all the vanity units in the luxury bathrooms are unique secondhand pieces of furniture, adapted with a granite top and basin. All the furniture in the house is antique or secondhand and has been or is in the process of being restored by Simon, your host. Many of the external doors are secondhand and have been adapted. The beams and stone from the four year renovation of the property have been reused throughout the building process. We continue to reuse this material now as we landscape the garden.
The Impacts of this Trip
We support the local economy wherever possible by employing guides, experts and teachers from our area. We offer English lessons to our guides, providing them with a greater opportunity for work.
We involve our neighbours with our holidays, offering the possibility to visit their houses which have changed little through the centuries. This gives a unique insight into the culture and traditions of the high Pyrenees. In return we make donations to the village fund, for amongst other things the maintenance of our historic chapel of San Urbez (hermitage).
We also offer a guided visit to the chapel of San Urbez, explaining stories about our saint, his miracles and the architectural features. For this, we ask our guests for a donation in the chapel collection box.
We are involved in trying to preserve and restore the local pathways, acting as volunteers as the need arises. We will be running a path clearing holiday in the future which we hope will also ultimately benefit the community as a whole.
We are passionate about the environment and the wildlife where we live. The Ordesa National Park is a World Biosphere Reserve and a ‘Special Protection Area for Birds’ with over 171 species, including the rare Lammergeier or Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus Barbatus). We support the Lammergeier Conservation Foundation by using guides from the Foundation, visiting the raptor feeding stations with guests and selling the Foundation T-shirts. This helps fund a breeding program in our area which has had great success. Our walks are led by experts in the area (or accompanied by information packs when self-guided) and ensure that fragile environments are not degraded in any way when walking. There are also well over 100 species of butterflies and moths in our area, including the rare and beautiful Isabelina Moth (Actias Isabellae) and the Giant Peacock Moth (Saturnia Pyri). We have been successful in hatching the eggs and releasing the caterpillars for these moths.
At the farmhouse we have geothermal heating and hot water with minimal environmental impact. We also harvest rainwater for both the irrigation of our vegetable patch and garden, and for the washing machine.
We recycle all we can, including building materials and furniture. For example all the vanity units in the luxury bathrooms are unique secondhand pieces of furniture, adapted with a granite top and basin. All the furniture in the house is antique or secondhand and has been or is in the process of being restored by Simon, your host. Many of the external doors are secondhand and have been adapted. The beams and stone from the four year renovation of the property have been reused throughout the building process. We continue to reuse this material now as we landscape the garden.
The Impacts of this Trip
We support the local economy wherever possible by employing guides, experts and teachers from our area. We offer English lessons to our guides, providing them with a greater opportunity for work.
We involve our neighbours with our holidays, offering the possibility to visit their houses which have changed little through the centuries. This gives a unique insight into the culture and traditions of the high Pyrenees. In return we make donations to the village fund, for amongst other things the maintenance of our historic chapel of San Urbez (hermitage).
We also offer a guided visit to the chapel of San Urbez, explaining stories about our saint, his miracles and the architectural features. For this, we ask our guests for a donation in the chapel collection box.
We are involved in trying to preserve and restore the local pathways, acting as volunteers as the need arises. We will be running a path clearing holiday in the future which we hope will also ultimately benefit the community as a whole.
2 Reviews of Spanish Pyrenees self guided walking holiday
Reviewed on 26 Oct 2019 by Gates Harris
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Coming home after a day of trekking to rest and be ready for wonderful, healthy meals. Also, Lucy and her husband Simon were very adept at "reading" our level of hiking. Each evening she sat with us and suggested several options for the next day. She was spot on in gauging our interests, and seemed to understand us more each day. Her command of the area was extensive and she had maps and tips for us that gave us confidence in navigating our routes. We speak a little French, but no Spanish and Lucy helped us feel confident we could route-find.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
If you can, engage Simon for a day of guided hiking to view the endangered vultures of the Pyrenees. He is very knowledgeable and devoted to conservation of these majestic birds. He has a wonderful spotting scope and knows where these creatures nest and fly. He also is adept at identifying indigenous plants and insects. I love nature so I really appreciated Simon.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes absolutely. Simon and Lucy emphasized their dedication to reducing environmental impact of our travel. They suggested we visit local businesses and used environmentally responsible packaging for our lunches every day. They even have a "green roof" over their garage-where vegetables grow. Their meticulous restoration of the farmhouse and barn used for our accommodation is truly remarkable. Their heating system is geothermal-the first of its kind in their village.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Fun, excellent, educational. Very, very, high quality.
Reviewed on 29 May 2016 by Robert Burton
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Walking in the high mountains seeing Chamois and Marmots.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared for really enjoyable experience.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, extremely eco friendly and involved with the community.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Five stars for a friendly enjoyable holiday.
Popular similar holidays
Las Alpujarras walking holiday, Spain
Guided walking holiday, Andalucia, with writer Chris Stewart
From €1295 8 days excluding flights
Catalonia self guided walking holidays
Self-guided walking holidays in Catalonia
From €715 - €799 8 days excluding flights
Spanish course & walking holiday, Picos de Europa, Spain
Walk and talk on this small group language holiday in Picos de Europa National Park
From €659 7 days excluding flights
Picos inn to inn walking holiday in Spain
Hike through beautiful mountains staying in rural inns
From £1295 8 days excluding flights
protection
