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Hike through history - AN unforgettable adventure in the Pyrenees

10 - 16 September 2024 |   France and Spain

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The Pyrenees Route

This route is not for the faint-hearted. With a peak ascent of 2367m, this arduous trek takes you high into the Pyrenees through harsh mountain terrain. 

The spectacular scenery and fascinating history will make the challenge worth the while. Following in the footsteps of allied servicemen and Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi-occupied France, you'll hear stories about the exceptional individuals who risked it all for freedom. As you walk, you'll be surrounded by a breathtaking landscape including meadows, woodlands, craggy peaks and rolling hills. 

The current itinerary for The Pyrenees route is below. Please note this is subject to change. 

Itinerary

10 September Travel Day: UK – Barcelona

You will arrive in Barcelona for a welcome dinner and overnight stay before the Pyrenees Escape Route Challenge begins. You are responsible for your travel to Barcelona.

11 September - day 1 of the trek: Barcelona - Puigcerdà - Planès

Meeting up at Estacio des Autobusos in Barcelona at 0930 hrs, we take the bus to Puigcerda and walk over to the Train Jaune at Bourg-Madame (getting lunch ourselves on route). You'll then catch the train to Les Planès station. Planès is a small village at 1520m elevation in a quiet part of the Pyrenees. You will have dinner and stay overnight in gîte d’étape in Planès. The gîte has three buildings and has an outdoor pool.

12 September - day 2 of the trek: Planès - Carança

This is the toughest leg of the trek as you'll reach 2367m elevation at Coll Mitjà. You'll then reach Ras de la Carança mountain hut at 1831m, where you'll spend the night.

Duration: 7 hours (breaks included) - Distance: 15km - Elevation gain: 1100m

13 September - day 3 of the trek: Ras de la Carança - Mantet

You'll depart Ras de la Carança and begin your gentle ascent to the two passes. The first, Coll de Pal, is the entry point to the Mantet nature reserve. The second one is at 2350m and overlooks the reserve and Mantet village.

You will stay in a gîte d’étape in Mantet (1530m), a small, charming village where only seven people live all year round.

Duration: 6 hours (breaks included) – Distance: 10.4km – Elevation gain: 610m – Elevation loss: 890m

14 September - day 4 of the trek: Mantet - Coll de Pal - Setcases

Today you'll cross the border and reach freedom! You'll enjoy stunning views as you follow the western limit of the Py nature reserve between Mantet and Porteille de Rotja. You'll then begin your descent from Coll de Pal into Spain and finish at Setcases (1270m), where you'll spend the night at a hotel.

Duration: 8 hours (breaks included) – Distance: 17.5km – Elevation gain: 920m – Elevation loss: 1200m

15 September - day 5 of the trek: Setcases - Vilallonga de Ter - La Roca - Ter River

Today is your final trekking day. You'll follow the Ter river before crossing La Roca - a small village. You'll then rejoin the Ter river before finishing the day - and trek - in Camprodon (940m).

You'll then return to Barcelona where you'll enjoy a very well deserved celebration meal.

Duration: 5.5 hours (breaks included) – Distance: 12.5km – Elevation gain: 370m

16 September - Travel day: Barcelona - U.K.

It is up to you to arrange your travel back to the U.K.