The thrilling challenge of crossing the Pyrenees

The Pyrenees mountain range is one of the great attractions for fans of the Pyrenees. trekking and nature, as it is home to an infinite number of routes in an unbeatable geographical enclave. Its position as the border between France and Spain has made it a recurring place of passage for centuries, something which over time has attracted the attention of a great many adventurers.

In fact, crossing the 430 km of the Pyrenees becomes an exciting challenge for the most experienced hikers. The route is very tough and requires prior preparation, but it also offers experiences that are impossible to find anywhere else on the European continent.

The possibility of crossing from the Mediterranean Sea to the Cantabrian Sea, at the same time as getting to know the cultural differences of the French, Spanish or Andorran regions, is an attraction that is attracting more and more attention. Sports tourism has echoed this type of trip, which is usually completed in sections and on several occasions in a process of experience similar to the Camino de Santiago.

However, it is important to stress that these routes are more demanding and require more preparation. For example, a legend of the trekking Kilian Jornet has recently managed to reach the summit of the 177 summits of the Pyrenees in just eight days (for his peculiar Pyrenean traverse linking three-thousand-metre peaks), but these numbers are not within the reach of anyone else.

His status as an elite athlete and a lifetime's dedication to this type of activity are a testament to his feat, making it one of the most impressive achievements of his career. Of course, the most advisable thing to do is to make trips of less intensity and with more days to enjoy the route, although if the time you have available is limited you can always "cut up" the route to enjoy it in different periods of time.

What will we find in the Pyrenees?

The Pyrenees mountain range is synonymous with nature, something that is reflected in its natural and national parksbut also other factors such as culture, gastronomy and sport. The changes in landscape are noticeable depending on the altitude, but also depend very much on the region you are in.

The Catalan Pyrenees, the Huesca Pyrenees, the Navarre Pyrenees, the Andorran area and the French regions are all different. Moreover, the peaks, natural pools, high mountain lakes and countless geographical features that can only be enjoyed with the effort of a good route have nothing to do with each other.

How can we reach the Pyrenees?

Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat International Airport is the closest airport to the Pyrenees on the Spanish side, on its easternmost slope, especially if we take into account that it receives international flights. Its connection between Barcelona and 170 destinations around the world allows us to select dates, times and possible future connections to other locations with greater precision.

However, the air tickets to Barcelona are not limited to the province of the same name, as we have Girona-Costa Brava International Airport further north. This airport receives flights low cost and is less crowded, but it is a little closer to the mountain range. From this point, the connection is easy by train, bus or car.

Where to sleep in the Pyrenees?

This type of hiking route always invites you to spend the night instead of camping, as the difference is abysmal in terms of regulation. Free camping is generally prohibited in Spain, but spending the night and picking up at dawn to continue our route is the most viable option.

Even so, along these 430 km there are many municipalities with hostels, guesthouses and hotels, with prices to suit all budgets. The ideal thing to do on long routes is to combine overnight stays in mountain refuges with this type of accommodation, which offers more rest and the possibility of combining the natural charm of the Pyrenees with good gastronomy and local culture.

The area has not become overcrowded in terms of tourism, especially if we leave the more "mediatic" places, but it depends a lot on the seasons and the seasons. It is best to travel in spring or autumn if you want to hike in the easternmost area, or enjoy the wilder western Pyrenees, due to the weather conditions. For the central Pyrenees we will have to wait until summer. At the same time, we should consult the regulations of the different parks and the information they provide us with to prepare our route.

The bicycle can be a great ally

Finally, we must stop at the mountain bike as a great ally for these types of routes, especially if we intend to cover long distances in a limited time, and if you are a fan of mountain biking. The roads are usually prepared for this type of vehicles and there are even sporting events based on this concept. The Trans-Pyrenees mountain bike race is becoming more and more popular.

The range of possibilities is very wide and can be adapted to the needs of each enthusiast, as long as we are aware of the physical effort required for this type of route. The Pyrenees offer nature and gastronomy, but we must be very conscious of the style of route we wish to tackle.

The 430 km of the Pyrenees can be an endless stretch of mountain range, where you can enjoy a wide range of activities. The trekking is the most common and is increasingly popular among lovers of this sport, but you can also opt for trips that are more related to rest and relaxation.

Natural swimming pools, high mountain lakes and villages in different regions allow us to combine these routes with other attractions. This makes the Pyrenees a very well-connected, affordable destination with a wide range of leisure activities.

• Cover photo: "Estany Moreno, Andorra" (CC BY-SA 2.0) by kike.matas
• Photo article: "Pyrenees_MG_0524" (CC BY 2.0) by emanuela piazza