Spain & France winter borders in the Pyrenees

Day 1:                         

Welcome to San Sebastian; transfer assistance from airport or train station to hotel, meeting local guide.  In the afternoon, we make a cycling city tour to discover the city and to activate our body after the trip.  For dinner, we have a pintxos tour; an informal way of eating from one bar to another having different specialities from each place, along the old town enjoying local life, making some team building and talking about the hiking trip we have ahead of us.

–           Night & dinner in San Sebastián:  Hotel Niza *** or similar

Day 2:                         

After a nice rest, we have a gastronomic experience making a visit to the market in the old town and getting prepared for the later cooking class. After enjoying our meal, we get ready for 3 hours transfer to the Pyrenees, having a first contact with its landscape.

–           Night & dinner in Torla:  Hotel Villa de Torla ** or Villa Russell ***

Day 3:                         

After having and energetic breakfast, it is time to stretch a little bit and get ready for a beautiful day in the mountains.  We are going to make a round trek with our snowshoes discovering two valleys: Otal and Ordiso.  It will be a forest scenery area at the beginning and a more open view landscape as we continue going up hill (2.319 m. over sea level).  From the top, Ordiso summit, we can have a beautiful image of the south walls of the great Vignemale.  Tonight, the silence and comfort of a historical monastery is waiting for us.

• Night & dinner in Boltaña: Hotel Monasterio de Boltaña ***** or similar
• Snowshoeing distance Bujaruelo – Collado de Ordiso – Bujaruelo 18 km / +944 m. -944 m.

Day 4:                         

As usual, we have breakfast and get our body ready for some action after a monkish night.  We need a 25 min. transfer to Plan, in Chistau Valley, to start our second circular hike.  Depending on the snow we carry the snowshoes in our backpacks until we get to the snow level.  We need to make a mountain pass (2.345 m. over sea level) before staying at certain altitude while surrounding the local hills.  We will have the chance to enjoy probably the most beautiful mountain lake in the Pyrenees; Ibon de Plan or Basa de la Mora.

• Night & dinner in Boltaña: at same Hotel *****
• Snowshoeing distance Plan – Colladeta Ibon – Plan 18 Km / +1.250 m. -1.250 m.

Day 5:             

Today, after breakfast and packing our luggage, we go back up into the mountains.  The idea is to cross the border between Spain and France walking as smugglers and soldiers from 2^nd World War used to do.  Starting in the south side of the tunnel of Bielsa, we go up to 2.400 m. where the “Old pass” is located before going all the way down into France on the north side.  A piece of history under our feet.

• Night & dinner in Saint Lary: Hôtel Mercure ****
• Snowshoeing distance South side Bielsa´s tunnel – Puerto Viejo – North side Bielsa´s tunnel 9 km / +850 m. -730 m.

Day 6:             

Maybe we feel tired, but we are about to finish this amazing trip.  After sharing our experiences in last night´s dinner with others, we get ready for the last goal of these days; Soum des Salettes (2.976 m. over sea level).  Starting at the sky resort of Piau-Engaly, ahead of us we have snow, a deep valley, and the chance to get closer to the stars.  Views from the top are great with the Néouvielle National Park´s main summits shining with us.

• Night at same in Saint Lary: Hôtel ****
• Snowshoeing distance Piau-Engaly – Soum des Salettes (2.976 m.) – Piau-Engaly 12 km / +1.254 m. -1.254 m.

Day 7:             

After a great rest and with a pleasant feeling after such an interesting trip, get ready for 3 hours transfer back to San Sebastian to get any transport connections going back home or continuing travelling somewhere else.  It was a pleasure to have you here, see you again!

END OF THE TRIP