Guided hiking
7 nights
Grade 3: Strenous
Single centre
Peaks & Passes
7 night guided walking holiday
- 7 night guided walking holiday
- Grade 3: Strenuous walking
- 2* Hotel Almud – beautiful old stone building
A superb week of challenging hiking on some of the best trails in the Pyrenees. We’ll venture into the rugged, higher mountains of the Pyrenees, finding a rocky wilderness dotted with mountain lakes and spectacular views.
We’ll tackle some of the most spectacular summits in the valley and will be rewarded with views that make all of the effort worthwhile.
The holiday is based in the beautiful village of Sallent de Gallego, whose narrow streets and stone houses are nestled under the high peaks of the Valle de Tena. Evening meals are taken at a different village restaurant each night – all are excellent and the meals are certainly a highlight of the trip!
Guided walking – grade 3
This is a week of reasonably strenuous hiking with some fairly long days and a good level of fitness is required. The Pyrenees are renowned for steep climbs and you should be capable of ascents of over one thousand metres.
However we remember you are on holiday and one or two days will feature slightly less strenuous hikes. Paths are generally good but there will be some exposed sections and some easy scrambling and sure-footedness is required. You should expect days of between seven to ten hours walking.
Walks will explore the Valle de Tena, with one day hiking on the French side of the range in the Parc National Pyrenees and another spent in the Ordesa National Park.
This is a sample itinerary – there are many excellent routes in the area and the exact routes will depend on the weather and what the group would like to achieve.
Saturday – Sallent de Gállego
Arrive in Sallent de Gállego from Zaragoza – we pick up at the train station (regular trains from Barcelona and Madrid) and the airport (flights from London Stansted). Short briefing to talk about through the week and answer any questions you have.
Sunday – Punta del Pacino (1965 m)
Overlooking the village of Sallent is the peak of Punta del Pacino and this is our objective for our first hike. A lovely path makes almost a complete summit circuit with the views changing the whole way round. From there we get wonderful panoramic views over the whole valley and it’s a great spot to show where we’ll be hiking for the rest of the week.
Distance: 14 km (8.7 miles). Ascent: +/- 750 m (2460 feet)
Monday – Pic d’Ayous (2288 metres)
Today we head to the French side of the range to hike in the Lacs Ayous region in the French Pyrenees National Park. Starting in lovely beech woods following the famous GR10 trans-Pyrenean path. The route gradually climbs until we leave the woods, entering the alpine meadows above. Here we find the Lacs Ayous – a lovely set of lakes with fantastic views towards the famous peak of Pic du Midi d’Ossau. From the lakes, we keep heading up, passing the refuge of Ayous and continuing up to the peak of Ayous above. From here we get fantastic views down on the the lakes of Ayous, across to Pic du Midi d’Ossau and dozens of other peaks.
Distance: 14 km (8.7 miles). Ascent: +/- 900 m (2950 feet)
Tuesday – Musales (2653 metres)
Pico Musales is one of the high mountains situated above Circo de Piedrafita. Also visible from Sallent de Gallego, it makes for an impressive hike starting in woodland, passing through high meadows before summiting at 2654m surrounded by glacial landscape .There are excellent views from the top.
Distance: 17 km (10.6 miles). Ascent: +/- 1450 m (4760 feet)
Wednesday – Rest day
Today we rest our legs and spend some time learning about the fascinating history of the area. After a relaxed start, we’ll first visit the 10th-century Romanesque church of San Juan de la Busa. Then we’ll head to Jaca, which was the first capital of Aragon when it was formed in 1035. We’ll have a guided walking tour of the old town, visiting the 11th-century cathedral and the 16th-century pentagonal citadel – the first castle constructed in Spain to defend against cannon fire. Our visit to Jaca will finish with a tapas lunch before returning to Sallent where you can have a swim in the village pool or explore the lovely village.
Thursday – Pico Anayet (2574 m)
Ibon de Anayet is beautifully set on a high peat meadow, surrounded by red rocked mountains and views to the north of Pic du Midi d’Ossau. The Ibon itself is a worthy objective but for those up for a further challenge can tackle either Vertice de Anayet or the airy scramble up Pico Anayet. Without a doubt, the route to Anayet is one of our favorites in the Pyrenees. The beauty of the route is immense; we’ll walk through a narrow high mountain valley, reach a magnificent lake, and the oportunity of making two ascents, one easy and the other a bit more challenging but still manageable.
Distance: 15 km (10.9 miles). Ascent: +/- 1330 m (4360 feet)
Friday – Pico de la Muga (2676 m)
This high peak makes a fitting end to a great week of hiking. The route today takes us to the high, wildland above the spa resort and road head of Baños de Panticosa. We head up past a series of pretty mountain lakes and the Bachimaña refugio to a pass on the French border. From here, we follow the ridge that defines the border, to the summit of Pico de la Muga for fantastic views into France and back to Spain.
Distance: 17.5 km (10.9 miles). Ascent: +/- 1330 m (4360 feet)
Saturday – Sallent de Gállego
Either take the morning transfer to Zaragoza train station or a free morning in the village before leaving at lunchtime for the Zaragoza to London Stansted flight.
If you have any questions about our walking holidays please give us a call on +44 (0)208 123 5049 or drop us an email.
Peaks & Passes
2025 Dates
Saturday 26 July – 2 August
Price
1699 € per person (based on two sharing a double or twin room).
199 € single supplement
Included
7 nights accommodation:
7 x Hotel Almud
Breakfast buffet each morning
Picnic lunches each walking day
3 course evening meals each night apart from the rest day when we visit Jaca for tapas
Meals taken at various excellent village restaurants
5 days fully guided walking with small groups of 8 maximum.
Transfers to and from either Zaragoza airport or train station.
Transport to the walks each day.
Not included
Flights, insurance, drinks with evening meals and lunch on the rest day
Getting to the Pyrenees
From the UK
There are direct flights from London Stansted to Zaragoza. Flight times are as follows:
Depart Stansted 11:50, arrive Zaragoza 15:05
Depart Zaragoza 15:40, arrive Stansted 16:45
You can also fly to Barcelona or Madrid and can catch the AVE fast train to Zaragoza. We pick up at 12:00 midday from Zaragoza train station. Zaragoza has regular direct trains from both Barcelona and Madrid. Trains are roughly every hour and the journey takes 1 hour 30 minutes from either.
Trains that fit well with our arrival transfer are:
Depart Barcelona Sants 10:00 am, arrive Zaragoza Delicias 11:42
or depart Madrid Atocha 10:30 am, arrive Zaragzoa Delicias 11:44
On the return journey, we drop off at the train station at 11:45 am, for the following trains:
Depart Zaragoza Delicias 12:37, arrive Barcelona Sants 14:19
or depart Zaragoza Delicias 12:26, arrive Madrid Atocha 13:45
From outside Europe
Most of our guests from outside of Europe fly via Barcelona or Madrid, combing a stay in one of these two excellent cities with their walking holiday. From either city there are excellent rail links to Zaragoza.
See more travel options and details on our getting here page.
Hotel Almud
You will stay in the family-run Hotel Almud in Sallent de Gállego – an ideal base from which to reach the higher reaches of the Valle de Tena. A small hotel with just 11 rooms all beautifully converted with en-suite bathrooms.
Three course evening meals are taken at various restaurants in the village which gives you a chance to try lots of the local dishes. On the rest day we will visit Jaca for a walking tour and eat at one of the excellent restaurants or tapas bars. Read more about Hotel Almud.
Frequently asked questions
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Here’s feedback from guests on our Valle de Tena Explorer guided walking holiday. Thanks to everyone that has sent feedback – if you’ve not mailed us any comments yet please do and we’ll add them.
Hike Pyrenees have all the right ingredients for a great walking holiday. Their leaders know their flora and fauna, geology and history as well as the routes up and around the many mountains in this area. This is a friendly and happy outfit that is committed to promoting this beautiful region. Keep up the good work guys and hope to see you again soon.
Mike, Peak & Passes, September 2019
This holiday was an excellent reintroduction to the Pyrenees for us. All the staff were very helpful. The guides were extremely knowledgeable, professional and accommodating.
John & Jane, Peaks & Passes, September 2019
Another good experience with Phil and his team at Hike Pyrenees. See you next year to explore Ordesa.
David, Peaks & Passes, July 2019
This was our second holiday with Hike Pyrenees and it did not disappoint. Highly recommended for those who enjoy hiking and want to do some peaks in the Pyrenees.
Jenny, Peaks & Passes, July 2019
Owner Phil, staff and guides all so very helpful, friendly and caring. My holiday was an excellent package with a variety of thoughtful extras. All I hoped for will go again as soon as possible.
Pippa, Peaks & Passes, September 2018.
What a spectacular week! Incredible views, knowledgeable and caring guides, and thoughtfully planned itinerary to whet our appetite for more time in the Pyrenees.
Melora, Peaks & Passes, September 2018.
Our guide David was wonderful and the hikes were amazing with really nice variety. I hope to do another Hike Pyrenees tour! Great value and great adventure.
Holly, Peaks & Passes, September 2018.
Peaks & Passes
Guided walking holiday
2025 Dates:
26 July – 2 August
1699 € per person
To check availability and for more information complete the form below:
We are already talking about taking another trip with Sara & David next year. That says how much we enjoyed this trip.
Read a trip report from a previous holiday:
Hiking Pico Bacias (2760m)
Last weekend I headed out to Pico Bacias, a wild rocky 2760 metre peak. I hadn't done this hike for ages and I'd forgotten how great it is. The views over Vignemale and across to the three thousand metre peaks of the Ordesa National Park are just exceptional. Joining...
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Location:
Hotel Almud
Hotel Almud