The Pyrenees Articles

The Castle of Loarre: stone, stories and the making of a kingdom

The Castle of Loarre: stone, stories and the making of a kingdom

Rising above the plains of Huesca, the Castle of Loarre is one of Europe’s best-preserved Romanesque fortresses. Built at the frontier of the early Kingdom of Aragon and later used as a filming location for Kingdom of Heaven, Loarre stands at the gateway to the Sierra de Guara — a landscape best explored on foot, where history, geology and walking trails come together naturally.

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Snowshoeing to Refuge de Larry, Aspe Valley

Snowshoeing to Refuge de Larry, Aspe Valley

This week we took advantage of the perfect weather in the Pyrenees to accomplish a project Phil had in mind for many years: an overnight snowshoeing trip in Aspe Valley, staying at the remote – but cosy! – Refuge de Larry, an unwardened mountain hut run by...

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Out in the Valle de Aspe

Out in the Valle de Aspe

The 6 January is one of the most import bank holidays in Spain. On the biblical calendar it is known as Epiphany but in Spain it is mainly known as “dia de reyes”, the day when the three kings come back to earth and give presents to children, as Santa Claus does in...

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Cave paintings at Alquezar

Cave paintings at Alquezar

Cave paintings dating back to 3000-8000 BC and fossilised animal footprints from 33 million years ago made a this hike at Alquezar feel like a trip through time. The Sierra de Guara in the Pre-Pyrenees has loads of history as well as some great hiking, climbing and...

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Hiking the GR11: A Practical Guide

Hiking the GR11: A Practical Guide

I’ve just finished putting together a guide to the GR11. The GR paths are a network of extensive paths that criss-cross Europe, mostly in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain.  Here in the Spain, GR stands for ‘Gran Recorrido‘ and here in the Spanish...

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Discovering Ordesa

Discovering Ordesa

Things are now quietening down now for our season here in the Pyrenees, and last week, we ran our final Discover Ordesa week.  For those seeking a bit more peace and quiet in the hugely popular (and rightly so) Ordesa & Monte Perdido National Park, mid-September...

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Autumn Lady’s Tresses – Spiranthes Spiralis

Autumn Lady’s Tresses – Spiranthes Spiralis

I found an orchid that I’d not seen before earlier this week – an Autumn Lady’s Tresses (Spiranthes Spiralis). It’s a short orchid (around 15 cm) with tiny flowers (only around 6mm) that spiral around the stem in a very attractive way....

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Guiding the Faja de las Flores – Ordesa

Guiding the Faja de las Flores – Ordesa

The Faja de las Flores is a spectacular high level walk which traverses the northern cliffs of the canyon along a weaker sedimentary layer which is in-cut. ‘Faja’ means girdle in english and the faja paths in Ordesa traverse different parts of the canyon...

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A great season so far…

A great season so far…

Well, the 2014 hiking season here in the Spanish Pyrenees is well and truly under way, and despite the occasional late afternoon thunderstorm, things have been ticking along nicely.  Our self-guided holidays are proving to be as popular as ever, with about half of the...

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