• Cerdagne Explorer: Lakes, mountains and Hot Springs

• 1 June to 25 September

• From £710
• From €790
• Prices per person and based on 2 sharing a room

• 6 nights, 6 days walking between hotels with open air hot baths.

• Picturesque and varied Pyrenees landscapes with beautiful mountains, deep blue lakes and dramatic gorges
• Historic sites with a number of chapels and churches and the citadel of Mont Louis, classed as a world heritage site.
• Relatively easy walking adapted to most walkers crossing a high altitude plateau
• One of the sunniest locations in France.
• An enjoyable mixture of good walks, relaxing in warm water pools fed by natural spring water and soaking up the sun in clear mountain air.

• "Thank you for leading us to this lovely experience. Our first European walking holiday - I will always remember this trip." S Levy, USA
• "We can only reiterate that it was a great holiday, we really did enjoy it, and now turn our thoughts to next year." P. & E. Lamont, NZ see more

• 6 nights accommodation (half board) in 2 star hotels (one with a covered swimming pool) and two with thermal spas. Possibility to book an extra night at the end of the final walking day.

1. 6 nights accommodation in 2 star hotels
2. All breakfasts and evening meals during the holiday
3. Luggage transported between hotels
4. Short transfer from Latour de Carol to hotel
5. Detailed walking notes including information about the region and sites and walking map

1. Travel to the train station at Latour de Carol
2. Lunches
3. Drinks during the day and to accompany evening meals
4. Entrance fees to sites and hot pools
5. Ticket for yellow train on day 2 (if used)

1. Other walking holidays in the Pyrenees:
2. Pyrenees Coastal Trail

See all independent walking holidays

Walking Profile

This holiday is at the lower end of the moderate to challenging grade. Average days are about 5 hours long and include 500m of ascent. Day 2 can be shortened by taking the yellow train from the station at Ur. Day 6 can include the optional ascent of the main mountain summit in the region, Pic Carlit which is challenging in grade. Despite the Cerdagne being located in the high Pyrenees, the walking is relatively gentle and accessible to the average hill walker. In addition, there is the possibility of easing tired muscles by relaxing in open air pools fed by natural warm spring water and using thermal spa facilities at your hotels.

Walking Holiday Day-by-day

Day 1: Arrival

Arrive at Latour de Carol and short transfer to your hotel in Angoustrine.

Day 2: Angoustrine - Saillagouse

From outside your hotel, your route climbs to the pretty village of Dorres with a lovely panoramic view as you pass Belloch Church. After the trail descends to the Cerdan Plateau, and on easy ground, passes through a landscape of pasture and small copses. You'll pass through the Spanish enclave of Lliva; a small bit of Spanish territory entirely surrounded by France. You'll pass through a number of typical traditional mountain hamlets on your way to Saillagouse, an important local centre. There is the possibility to shorten the day's walk by taking the yellow train from the station at Ur to Saillagouse. (cost about 6 euros per person). 4 or 6hrs, +/- 400-450m

Day 3 Saillagouse - Mont Louis

Today, you approach the mountains on the slopes of Puigmal, the second highest summit in the eastern Pyrenees. At the start of your walk, you have the possibility to swim in the natural hot spring at Llo, at the entrance to the Segre gorge. After a series of small ascents and descents, your path traverses a delightful pine forest, before descending to the citadel at Mont Louis, classed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Night at a hotel with spa treatments. 4hrs, +550m, -250m

Day 4: Mont Louis -Saint Thomas les Bains – Transfert à Mont-Louis

A short walk along the mythical GR10 (which traverses the Pyrenees) where you'll pass by the strange church at Planes - a Romanesque church with three aspes in clover-leaf shape, which is unique in Europe. The trail rises to reach the beautiful mountain pass of Cedeille before continuing by traversing the mountainside and a gradual descent of the Riberole Valley. After a descent through forest you'll arrive at the upland pastures of Orri before descending to Saint Thomas les Bains. Small train transfer at 6pm and night at Mont Louis. 5hrs, +550m, -750m

Day 5 Mont Louis - Les Bouillouses

From your hotel, your day's walk traverses the citadel designed by Vauban and follows a secluded stream alternating between sombre pines and beautiful flower filled meadows, to arrive at lake Pradeilla. This is the first of a number of mountain lakes in this delightful spot sheltered below rocky summits. Night in lakeside hotel. 4hrs 45, +500 m ; - 200 m

Day 6: Tour from Les Bouillouses

A tour which allows you to enjoy the vast array of beautiful mountain lakes that decorate this upland plateau encircled by immense granite peaks. At Estany de Vallel you have the possibility of ascending the highest summit in the region, the Pic Carlit at 2921m. 2 hrs 40 (or 6 h), +/- 300 m (or +/-950 m)

Day 7: Les Bouillouses – Angoustrine

An enjoyable descent by the Angoust Valley to reach the isolated chapel of Saint Martin d'Envalls. Possibility to go to the open air sulphur pools at Dorres. Tour ends at your return to Angoustrine where there is the possibility to book an extra night. 4 hrs 30 (or 6 h), + 100m, - 700m.