A Journey From Cauterets to Ordessa and the Néovielle Lakes

This trail journal follows a two week ramble through the High Pyrenees made in July 2008.

Those of you who have explored this website will know that I'm a great fan of the High Pyrenees, but this was my first visit in three years. The walk was deliberately not a point-to-point walk on one of the long distance footpaths, the GR10, 11 or the High Route. I'm beginning to think that whenever you only have a couple of weeks to spend in this area, you get the best value from walking some of the trails but also connecting with the many wonderful valley in the area. This is very much the approach that is encouraged by Kev Reynolds' 'Walks and Climbs in the Pyrenees', the best guidebook to these mountains.

We started in Cauterets and crossed into Spain over the Col d'Aratille and then descended into the lovely Vallée Ara. Snowfall in late June had a big impact on our plans as there was a lot of snow still left on the high passes and — as we were not carrying ice axes of crampons - we had to change our itinerary a bit. But we still had a great time walking and camping in some wonderful country. This journal sees s walking in the Ordessa Canyon, back on the French High Route and, finally, in the Néovielle Lakes area (our first visit here).

Look around the web and you will find countless mentions of high backpacking routes in this area. However, many of the walks I write about here are accessible to those of you who are not keen backpackers and who prefer hut-to-hut walking or day walks from a town base. Whether you fancy a long distance, demanding trek, or less strenuous day walks, there is something in the High Pyrenees for you. I hope this inspires you to explore the area.

Finally, a big word of thanks must go to Mark Alvarez who has proof-red this journal before publication. There can be no doubt that the journal is a far better read for Mark's work. It's amazing how many superfluous commas and misplaced apostrophes crept into the journal! Thanks Mark.

As ever, please feel free to comment and to get in touch.

andy.howell@mac.com