15 days in Pyrenees

Approx. expenses: 850/person (accommodation, meals, activities, gasoline) Accommodation type: Country houses, hotels, hostels, cabins (all with bathroom in the room) Visited places: Valleys of Benasque, Vallibierna, Ests, Pineta and Escuan Haut-Pyrenes (High Pyrenees) national park Ordesa and Monte Perdido national park Transport: Car (500 km, plus arrival to starting point) Summary: Travel on your own and get the most of your time with the cheapest rates. The very best of the visited places. You only need a car, a mobile, a credit card and cash. 20 easy but spectacular hikes, 8 charming villages, 42 selected accommodations and 20 places to eat well, with an unbeatable value for your money.

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INDEX
HOW TO GET THERE __________________________________________________________ 3 DAYS 1, 2 & 3: Valleys of Benasque, Vallibierna and Ests (Spain) ______________________ 4
Useful data _________________________________________________________________________ 4
Roadmap of the area ________________________________________________________________________ 4 Weather forecast ___________________________________________________________________________ 4 Tourist offices _____________________________________________________________________________ 4

Accommodation in Benasque and surroundings___________________________________________ 4 Activities ___________________________________________________________________________ 5

DAY 01: 01-Hike to waterfall of the Ardons ravine (10 km, 25 min from Benasque) _____________________ DAY 01: 02- Botanical trail & Gorgas del Alba waterfalls hike (10 km, 30min from Benasque) _____________ DAY 01: 03-Espigantosa waterfall hike (7 km, 25 min from Benasque) ________________________________ DAY 02: 04-Forau dAigualluts and Toro lake hike (13 km, 50 min from Benasque)______________________ DAY 03: 05-Batisielles, Escarpinosa and Gran de Batisielles lakes hike (a 5 km, 15 min de Benasque) _______ DAY 03: 06-Village of Anciles (2 km, 5 min from Benasque)________________________________________ 5 5 5 5 6 6

Where to eat ________________________________________________________________________ 6

DAYS 4, 5 & 6: Valleys of Pineta and Escuan (Spain) _________________________________ 7

Useful data _________________________________________________________________________ 7
Roadmap of the area ________________________________________________________________________ 7 Weather forecast ___________________________________________________________________________ 7 Tourist offices _____________________________________________________________________________ 7

Accommodation in Bielsa and surroundings ______________________________________________ 7 Activities ___________________________________________________________________________ 7

DAY 04: 07-Village of Ansa (62 km, 1 h 15 from Benasque)________________________________________ DAY 04: 08-Yaga river gorge hike (27 km, 55 min from Ansa) ______________________________________ DAY 04: 09-Escuan gorge hike (1 km, 5 min from Escuan) ________________________________________ DAY 05: 10-River Cinca waterfall and Llanos de La Larri hike (20 min from Bielsa) _____________________ DAY 06: 11-Balcn de Pineta and lake Marbor hike (20 min from Bielsa) _____________________________ 7 7 8 8 8

Where to eat ________________________________________________________________________ 8

DAYS 7, 8, 9, 10 & 11: Pyrnes national park (France) ________________________________ 9

Useful data _________________________________________________________________________ 9
Roadmap of the area ________________________________________________________________________ 9 Weather forecast ___________________________________________________________________________ 9 Tourist offices _____________________________________________________________________________ 9

Accommodation in Luz-Saint-Sauveur and surroundings___________________________________ 9 Activities ___________________________________________________________________________ 9

DAY 07: 12-Peak Neouvielle hike (35 km, 40 min from Bielsa) ______________________________________ DAY 08: 13-City of Lourdes (30 km, 30 min from Luz-Saint-Sauveur) ________________________________ DAY 08: 14-Bhtarram caves (15 km, 20 min from Lourdes) ________________________________________ DAY 09: 15-Pic du Midi de Bigorre hike (25 km, 25 min from Luz-Saint-Sauveur)_______________________ DAY 10: 16-Gavarnie cirque hike (20 km, 27 min from Luz-Saint-Sauveur) ____________________________ DAY 11: 17-Pont dEspagne & Oulettes de Gaube refuge (25 km, 30 min from Luz-Saint-Sauveur)__________ 9 9 9 9 9 9

Where to eat _______________________________________________________________________ 10

DAYS 12, 13, 14 & 15: Ordesa y Monte Perdido national park (Spain) ___________________ 10
Useful data ________________________________________________________________________ 10
Roadmap of the area _______________________________________________________________________ 10 Weather forecast __________________________________________________________________________ 10 Tourist offices ____________________________________________________________________________ 10 Copyright by Trip www.marbletrip.com 2

Accommodation in Torla and surroundings _____________________________________________ 10 Activities __________________________________________________________________________ 10

DAY 12: 18-Lakes DAyous hike (85 km, 1 h 45 min from Luz-Saint-Sauveur) ________________________ DAY 12: 19-Col dAubisque road ____________________________________________________________ DAY 12: 20-Village of Sallent de Gllego (30 km, 40 min from Biou-Artigues) ________________________ DAY 13: 21-Blue lakes (Ibones azules) hike (50 km, 1 h 20 min from Torla) ___________________________ DAY 14: 22-Cotatuero cirque hike (8 km, 25 min from Torla) ______________________________________ DAY 14: 23-Sorrosal waterfall hike (5 km, 10 min from Torla) _____________________________________ DAY 15: 24-Cola de Caballo (Horsetail) waterfall hike (8 km, 25 min from Torla) ______________________ 10 10 10 10 11 11 11

Where to eat _______________________________________________________________________ 11

MORE INFORMATION ________________________________________________________ 12

HOW TO GET THERE

Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrenees airport, http://www.tarbes-lourdes.aeroport.fr, or Pau-Pyrnes airport, http://www.pau.aeroport.fr. If this is our starting point the optimal route would be Airport -> Luz-Saint-Sauveur -> Bielsa -> Benasque -> Torla -> Airport. Barcelona airport: http://www.aena-aeropuertos.es/csee/Satellite/Aeropuerto-Barcelona/es/. From Barcelona take A-2 national road to Lleida, then Barbastro and finally to Benasque (310 km, 3.5 h). Madrid airport: http://www.aena-aeropuertos.es/csee/Satellite/Aeropuerto-MadridBarajas/es/. From the airport take A-2 national road to Zaragoza, then to Huesca, afterwards to Barbastro, and finally to Benasque (513 km, 5.5 h).

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DAYS 1, 2 & 3: Valleys of Benasque, Vallibierna and Ests (Spain)

Useful data
Roadmap of the area
Hospital de Benasque 4 km Turpi hotel Ests valley Benasque 3.6 km Eriste A-139 3.3 km Sahn 9 km Castejn de Sos 7,5 km Cerler Anciles 8 km Ski resort 10 km

Ski resort road

Weather forecast
Benasque: http://www.aemet.es/es/eltiempo/prediccion/municipios/benasque-id22054

Tourist offices
Benasque: C/ San Sebastin, 5. Casa de la Cultura building. Tel.: +34 974 551 289.

Accommodation in Benasque and surroundings

Accommodation Country house Casa Falisia Price (*) Double room 50/night, BB. Contact data (*) Address: C/ Benasque Baja, 13. 22468-Sahn (7 km from Benasque). Tel.: +34 974 551 340 E-mail: quesodebenasque@yahoo.es Web: http://www.casaruralfalisia.com/ Comments Good quality/price. Ask for rooms on the upper floor.

(*) Summer 2012. Taxes included. RO: Room Only. BB: Bed&Breakfast.

See full guide for a list of 9 more cozy accommodations.

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Activities
DAY 01: 01-Hike to waterfall of the Ardons ravine (10 km, 25 min from Benasque)
See full guide for pictures and complete description.

DAY 01: 02- Botanical trail & Gorgas del Alba waterfalls hike (10 km, 30min from Benasque)
See full guide for pictures and complete description.

DAY 01: 03-Espigantosa waterfall hike (7 km, 25 min from Benasque)

See full guide for pictures and complete description.

DAY 02: 04-Forau dAigualluts and Toro lake hike (13 km, 50 min from Benasque)
Start: *Duration (R/T): Length: Elevation gain: Difficulty: Season: Descripcin: Parking of Hospital de Benasque hotel (ski resort of Llanos del Hospital) 6 h (R/T by the same route) 13 km 443 m (1,896 m - 2,239 m) Easy to the Plan de Aiguallut and moderate to the ibn de Toro Spring to Autumn From Benasque we drive to the ski resort Llanos del Hospital (30 min). During the summer youll need to leave the car at the parking [1,750 m] and take a bus to the refuge La Besurta [1,896 m; 15 min] (you can also walk; 5.5 km and 200 m elevation gain; arround 1.5 h only one way). The rest of the year we can drive to the parking at La Besurta. Refuge La Besurta - Prairie Plan dAigualluts (1,896 m - 2,030 m; 1 h) From the refuge La Besurta we cross a creek heading to the refuge La Renclusa. A few minutes later we take a detour SE to the Plan dAigualluts, abandoning the trail to the refuge La Renclusa. After a not very steep but constant ascension we arrive to the Forau dAigualluts where we can admire the marvelous waterfall. Leaving the Forau to the right we continue a few more minutes arriving to the Plan dAigualluts [2,030 m; 1 h], a huge and spectacular prairie. From here we can contemplate the magnificent massif of La Maladeta and the majestic peak Aneto (3,404 m, the highest in the Pyrenees). Beginning of prairie Plan dAigualluts - End of prairie Plan d Aigualluts (2,030 m; 0.5h) We continue on the left of the creek, without crossing it, to the end of the prairie [2,030 m; 1.5 h] where a sign points the way to the lake (ibn) of Toro, following an ascending and stony path. Note.- The sign reads 40 minutes to the lake but in my opinion it takes arround 1.5 h. End of prairie Plan dAigualluts - Toro lake (2,030 m - 2,239 m; 1.5 h) We start to ascend slowly the stony path following the stone cairns until we reach the Toro hill. In this area if we are lucky we can see chamois, marmots and eagles. At the end of this section the route forks. We continue to the left towards the Toro hill [2,239 m; 3 h], at whose feet lies the charming Toro lake. Far on the distance, from the other side of the lake, we can see the Lin Artiga Valley. Toro lake - Parking (2,239 m - 1,750 m; 3 h) To return to the refuge La Besurta we retrace the path [1,896 m; 5.5 h]. There we take the bus that 15 minutes later will drop us at the parking of Llanos del Hospital [1,750 m; 6 h].

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Comments:

The bus from Llanos del Hospital to La Besurta costs 4.7 R/T (year 2012). Departure times every 35 minutes approx. and takes 15 minutes to the refuge. Schedule from 06/24/2012 to 09/11/2012: 8:00h-20:30h. You can also take it at Benasque.

(*) Including time to eat and take pictures.

DAY 03: 05-Batisielles, Escarpinosa and Gran de Batisielles lakes hike (a 5 km, 15 min de Benasque)
See full guide for pictures and complete description.

DAY 03: 06-Village of Anciles (2 km, 5 min from Benasque)

See full guide for pictures and complete description.

Where to eat
Name La Picada Price (*) Set menu 15. Address (*) Address: C/ Obispo, 3. 22449-Cerler. Tel.: +34 974 552 100 Comments Delicious goat cheese salad, salmon, lamb chops, etc.. Excellent value for money.

(*) Summer 2012. Taxes included.

See full guide for 6 more good quality/price places to eat.

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DAYS 4, 5 & 6: Valleys of Pineta and Escuan (Spain)

Useful data
Roadmap of the area
See full guide.

Weather forecast
See full guide.

Tourist offices
See full guide.

Accommodation in Bielsa and surroundings

See full guide for a list of 9 cozy accommodations.

Activities
DAY 04: 07-Village of Ansa (62 km, 1 h 15 from Benasque)
Place Description: Village of Ansa Beatiful medieval village whose old town is superbly preserved, with its cobbled streets and a swarm of houses of medieval architecture, outlining the sober Collegiate Church (S. XI-XII), the House of Arnal or the House Bielsa (XVI century). It is also worth a visit the castle with its mighty walls and square towers.

Address and phones:

Web: E-mail: Times and prices: Comments:

Tourist offices: C/ Avenida Pirenaica, 1 (Crossroads). 22330-Ansa. Tel.: +34 974 500 767. Plaza del Castillo (castle square), Torre nordeste. 22330-Ansa. Tel.: +34 974 50 05 12. http://www.ainsa-sobrarbe.es -

DAY 04: 08-Yaga river gorge hike (27 km, 55 min from Ansa)
See full guide for pictures and complete description.

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DAY 04: 09-Escuan gorge hike (1 km, 5 min from Escuan)

See full guide for complete description.

DAY 05: 10-River Cinca waterfall and Llanos de La Larri hike (20 min from Bielsa)
See full guide for pictures and complete description.

DAY 06: 11-Balcn de Pineta and lake Marbor hike (20 min from Bielsa)
See full guide for pictures and complete description.

Where to eat
See full guide for 3 more good quality/price places to eat.

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DAYS 7, 8, 9, 10 & 11: Pyrnes national park (France)

Useful data
Roadmap of the area
See full guide.

Weather forecast
See full guide.

Tourist offices
See full guide.

Accommodation in Luz-Saint-Sauveur and surroundings

See full guide for a list of 9 cozy accommodations.

Activities
DAY 07: 12-Peak Neouvielle hike (35 km, 40 min from Bielsa)
See full guide for complete description.

DAY 08: 13-City of Lourdes (30 km, 30 min from Luz-Saint-Sauveur)

See full guide for pictures and complete description.

DAY 08: 14-Bhtarram caves (15 km, 20 min from Lourdes)

See full guide for pictures and complete description.

DAY 09: 15-Pic du Midi de Bigorre hike (25 km, 25 min from Luz-SaintSauveur)
See full guide for complete description.

DAY 10: 16-Gavarnie cirque hike (20 km, 27 min from Luz-Saint-Sauveur)
See full guide for pictures and complete description.

DAY 11: 17-Pont dEspagne & Oulettes de Gaube refuge (25 km, 30 min from Luz-Saint-Sauveur)
See full guide for pictures and complete description.
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Where to eat
See full guide for 3 good quality/price places to eat.

DAYS 12, 13, 14 & 15: Ordesa y Monte Perdido national park (Spain)
Useful data
Roadmap of the area
See full guide.

Weather forecast
See full guide.

Tourist offices
See full guide.

Accommodation in Torla and surroundings

See full guide for a list of 15 more cozy accommodations.

Activities
DAY 12: 18-Lakes DAyous hike (85 km, 1 h 45 min from Luz-Saint-Sauveur)
See full guide for pictures and complete description.

DAY 12: 19-Col dAubisque road

See full guide for complete description.

DAY 12: 20-Village of Sallent de Gllego (30 km, 40 min from Biou-Artigues)
See full guide for complete description.

DAY 13: 21-Blue lakes (Ibones azules) hike (50 km, 1 h 20 min from Torla)
See full guide for complete description.

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DAY 14: 22-Cotatuero cirque hike (8 km, 25 min from Torla)

See full guide for pictures and complete description.

DAY 14: 23-Sorrosal waterfall hike (5 km, 10 min from Torla)

See full guide for complete description.

DAY 15: 24-Cola de Caballo (Horsetail) waterfall hike (8 km, 25 min from Torla)
See full guide for pictures and complete description.

Where to eat
See full guide for 7 good quality/price places to eat.

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MORE INFORMATION
You can find more photographs of some of the hikes and visited places on our website http://www.marbletrip.com. You can also find the guides in http://www.payhip.com, http://www.lulu.com, Amazon, ibookstore and Google books. The following guides are already available or coming up soon: 2 days in La Vera (Cceres, Spain) 5 days in La Rioja (Spain) 5 days in La Sierra de Cazorla (Spain) 14 days in Picos de Europa (Spain) 14 days in Dolomitas (Italy) 14 days in Norway 14 days in the Rocky Mountains (USA/Canada) 14 days in the Alps 14 days in Austria

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