Walking Holidays
France

GR 10 Trek

This self-guided walking holiday is the sixth part of a wonderful & dramatic 415km crossing of the Pyrenees Mountain chain between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean along the GR10 long distance trail. You'll amble through stunning scenery that varies enormously, with flower-filled meadows, sparkling lakes, cirques and high summits. You’ll get a taste of many different cultures, from the Basque country by the Atlantic to Catalonia by the Mediterranean. Each valley you pass through has its own distinct flavour.

This section of the GR10 long distance trail goes from Aulus les Bains to Merens, in Haute Ariege connecting the western and the central sections of the Pyrenees with the Ariege part of the mountain range. This region is known for its high plateau landscapes, deep valleys hemmed in by soaring summits, sometimes covered with a sprinkling of snow, and mountain lakes whose waters change in colour. In the evening, the Ariege gastronomy will get you back in shape for the next day. From Aulus, the guarded refuge of Bassies surrounded by lakes will satisfy your desires for wide open spaces. In the Vicdessos region, you'll discover ancient circular dry stone constructions called orris, which will allow you the pratice of pastoralism in the Auzat valley. After a mountain stage staying in the Rulhe refuge, part 6 of the GR10 reaches Merens, close to Capcir and Andorra.

Holiday Profile

7 nights/8 days: 6 or 7 days independent walking moving between accommodation

Dates

Everyday (subject to availability) from 15 June to 30 September

Walking Profile & Grade

6 or 7 days independent walking moving everyday between accommodation. It is graded strenuous because there are two days with well over 1000m of altitude gain, the longest day having +1500m of ascent. Average days include 6 hours hours walking and 850m of ascent & descent. Details are provided with the descriptions below. Paths are generally good and well defined, although they are often rocky and mountainous in character. You should have a good head for heights and be able to navigate.

This walking holiday is graded strenuous. See more information about walking grades.

Accommodation & Meals

• Half board
• 2 nights in room in guest house on day 1 and 4
• 2 night in room in gite on day 3 on 5
• 2 nights in shared dormitory in mountains refuges on day 2 and 6. Bring a sack sheet (blankets provided).

When to Travel

Our self-guided walking trail along part 6 of the GR10 long distance path is available from 15 June to 30 September. This 6th stage of the trek has the opportunity to reach summits above 3000m and so before 15 June there is a high risk of snow on the trail and some of the accommodation is not open. During the rest of June and early July there is a greater risk of encountering snow fields on the trail than later. The summer period is the driest in the central Pyrenees, however afternoon showers or storms are fairly common. From mid September night time temperatures tend to be fresher with a small risk of fresh snow at altitude. In terms of fellow walkers, the briskest period is from Mid July to mid August.

Navigation, Walking Notes & Maps

The vast majority of this walking holiday follows the GR10 (Grande Randonnee) long distance trail which is very well way-marked with red and white markings. Moreover, there are several signposts along the trail. The walking follows clear paths for its entire duration. Some small sections follow local or unmarked trails, for example to access accommodation or to access panoramic summits, but these are easy to follow. On this particular walking holiday we use the Cicerone guide books. As well as the walking notes we supply walking maps. You'll be provided with detailed 1:25,000 walking maps.

Luggage Transfers

On this walking holiday you can choose to have your main luggage transferred between accommodation so you only have to carry a day rucksack with a picnic lunch (supplied by the guest houses and included in the holiday price), water and spare clothes, waterproofs, camera etc. On this holiday several local taxi companies are responsible for transporting your main luggage. Please limit the weight of your bags where possible to 15kg.

Travel Info

How to get to Aulus-les-Bains:

By air :
Airports :Toulouse-Blagnac airport.

By train :
TER trains from the main cities towards Boussens then bus from Boussens to St Girons. Then bus from Saint-Girons to Aulus.
Contact SNCF (www.ter-sncf.com) to confirm the timetable.

By car :
From Toulouse, 128km, autoroute via Saint Gaudens ; to Saint Martory, take Saint-Girons .
From Lyon 600km, rejoin Carcassonne, then direction Foix/Mirepoix ; from Foix, rejoin directly Saint-Girons, then Aulus les Bains.
From Marseille 466km.
From Montpellier 307km.


Parking :
Free parking in Aulus-les-Bains : Camper van parking space, near the tourist office or in the village ; inform a member of staff at the office.

Depart from Merens:

TER train direction Toulouse (SNCF line La Tour de Carol – Toulouse), stops in Foix.

Travel to Aulus-les-Bains from Merens:

TER trains from Merens to Foix (SNCF line La Tour de Carol - Toulouse). Bus from Foix to Saint Girons and from Saint Girons to Aulus les Bains.

We recommend arriving by train to avoid returns to Luchon to recover your car, because the return journey is long by public transport and very expensive if you take a taxi. If you have to come by car, we recommend that you leave your car in Aulus les Bains on the first day and return by public transport because you will not be tired by a week's walking.

Public transports
Informations SNCF: https://uk.voyages-sncf.com/en

Please contact us for assistance in organising your travel arrangements

7 nights / 6 or 7 days walking

• From €1075
• Without bag transfers: less €110 per booking
• All prices per person, based on 2 sharing a room, except where stated
• Please consult us about  Single supplement prices