the Pyrenees
Pyrenees: Basque country
the Pyrenees
The Pyrenees form the natural border between France and
the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal). It is a beautiful, varied
area: from green hills at the coast to tops from over 3,000 meters in the
middle. And while the French side is relatively humid and green, the
Spanish side is much dryer and rougher.
There is much information available about the Pyrenees. To help you a bit you
find some websites below:
the Pyrenees
Pyrenees: Basque country
de site van Ton Joosten en de site “pyrenees-pireneos”
long-distance paths
There are many local and regional walking routes set in the mountains, both in France and Spain. Apart from that, there are several long-distance paths, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean (and vice versa):
GR 10: Lasse
long-distance paths: GR10
This route leads from Hendaye at the Atlantic Ocean to Banyuls-sur-Mer at the Mediterranean. The route is well-marked and, generally speaking, the paths are well passable. Along the route there are many mountain huts and "gîtes d’étape" which can be occupied quickly during high season however. That is why it is useful to take a tent. The GR 10 frequently goes through a village where you can shop.
The weather in the Pyrenees is very unstable. Keep in mind that in summer it can be very warm but also rainy and cold. The area is known for its thunderstorms. Experience in mountaineering is necessary.
The GR 10 passes our hostel:
- in the direction of the Mediterranean the first stage takes you to Estérencuby, over 3 hours walking. The next stage leads you along stone circles which you can see alongside. The stage after that ends close to Col Libre. Two stages further on you pass the suspension bridge at Holzarté (see alongside).
- in the direction of the Atlantic Ocean the first stage takes you, via Lasse (see picture above), to Saint-Étienne-de-Baïgorry, over 6 hours walking.
Naturally, you can also take the GR 10 (and the other
long-distance paths) for a more than one day trip.
GR 10
GR 10: stone circles at Occabé
GR 10: suspension bridge at Holzarté
The "Haute Randonnée Pyrénéenne" (HRP) leads from Hendaye at the Atlantic Ocean to Banyuls-sur-Mer at the Mediterranean. Whereas the GR 10 regularly leads to the civilized world, the HRP –the name already implies it – stays more at a height. Experience in mountaineering is necessary!
direction Col du Somport
This route leads from Cabo Higuer at the Atlantic Ocean to Cap de Creus at the Mediterranean, through the -rougher and more quiet – Spanish Pyrenees. Experience in mountaineering is necessary!
Spanish Pyrenees
Col Libre
The Pyrenees are an important obstacle for the millions of birds which fly from North-and Eastern-Europe to Spain and Africa every year to overwinter there. The combination of high mountains and intensive hunt leads to the deaths of many birds. In order to protect the birds to a certain extend, at some passes it is forbidden to hunt. That is why one of these passes is called: Col Libre (free pass). The organization “Organbidexka Col Libre” studies the migration of birds and dedicates itself to the protection of migration birds. The Col Libre is situated at the border of beautiful Forêt d’Iraty, near the GR10.
You can reach it by car as follows (travel time: approximately 30 minutes). Drive from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Saint-Jean-le-Vieux and there take the D 18, later D 19. There is a small parking place, just after the highest point at Chalets d’Iraty, at the left hand side of the road, before the first hairpin curve. Further on there is a hut for bird-watchers, which is permanently manned during the season.
vulture
goat cheese with vigs
A well-known
product from the Western Pyrenees is goat cheese. This cheese makes a
lovely dessert, but you can also make a wonderful salade of it, for
example combining it with vigs.
Ingredients: fresh goat cheese, lamb´s lettuce, fresh vigs, cooked beetroot
and pine-tree kernels. For
the dressing: (orange)apple juice, honey, mayonnaise, mustard, pepper and
salt.
Preparation:
decorate each plate by placing the lamb´s lettuce and a fresh goat cheese
in the middle. Slice the fresh vigs and put them around. The beet-roots,
well-cut, give colour to it.
Dressing: mix the ingredients well (quantities to taste).
Sprinkle the salade with the dressing and garnish it with roasted
pine-tree kernels. Serve.
Enjoy !
goat cheese