The Pyrenees

The mountain range between France and Spain, home to the Cirque de Gavarnie, Ordesa Canyon and the mountain micro-state of Andorra.

The Pyrenees run about 430 km from the Mediterranean in the east to the Bay of Biscay in the west, forming the natural border between France and Spain, with the small country of Andorra tucked inside. It is a cross-border mountain region centered on hiking, skiing and mountain village culture. Highlights: on the French side, the UNESCO-listed Cirque de Gavarnie and its great waterfall, the Pic du Midi Observatory, the pilgrimage town of Lourdes and Pyrenees National Park; on the Spanish side, Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park (part of the same 'Pyrénées–Mont Perdu' World Heritage Site as Gavarnie), Aigüestortes National Park, the Romanesque churches of the Vall de Boí (World Heritage) and the Val d'Aran; Andorra is known for duty-free shopping, thermal spas and skiing. What to do: in summer, base yourself in Lourdes or Jaca in Spain for 4–6 days of mountain driving and day hikes; experienced hikers can tackle the GR10 (France) or GR11 (Spain) trans-Pyrenean trails (about 45–50 days); in winter, ski in Andorra or Baqueira-Beret. On transport: Toulouse and Barcelona are the main gateways; public transport in the mountains is sparse, so you will essentially need a car; cross-border passes may close in winter.

Destinations

• Lourdes & Central Pyrenees
• Valleys of Andorra
• Toulouse
• Carcassonne
• Torla & Ordesa
• Val d'Aran & Vall de Boí

Itineraries

• Barcelona via Andorra to Toulouse, 7-Day Cross-Border Trip – Cross the Pyrenees from the Mediterranean, drive through Andorra to the Carcassonne fortress, then reach the Rose City…
• Trans-Pyrenees Road Trip: Barcelona to San Sebastián – Drive from the Mediterranean to the Bay of Biscay, connecting Andorra, the Boí Valley, Ordesa, Irati, and the Basque Co…
• Across the Pyrenees to San Sebastián – Crossing the Pyrenean passes from Toulouse, through Lourdes to the Basque coast.
• Toulouse, Albi and Carcassonne by Train – No car needed: take the TER to link the Pink City, Albi's red-brick cathedral and the Carcassonne citadel.
• Vall de Boí Churches & Val d'Aran – Head into the mountains from Barcelona to see UNESCO-listed Romanesque churches, a lake-filled national park, and the s…
• Andorra Valleys Summer Hiking & Thermal Spa – The old town, the World Heritage Madriu Valley, Tristaina Lakes, and Ordino mountain village—the best of Andorra in fou…
• Soldeu Ski Week: Connecting Three Major Resorts – Based in Soldeu, ski the entirety of Grandvalira, and spend a day each exploring Arcalís and Pal-Arinsal.
• Aragon Historic Cities & Ordesa – Starting and ending in Zaragoza, connect Civil War ruins, Loarre Castle, Ordesa Canyon, and medieval towns.
• Languedoc Castles to Roussillon Coast – Head south from Montpellier to Perpignan, connecting canals, Cathar castles, and the small port of Collioure.
• Barcelona to Nice South France Panorama – Cross the French Mediterranean coast, connecting cities by train and renting a car for the Provence segment.