Two days in French Pyrenees september 28-30, 2023---Suggestions?

Posted by jandmchellis on 09/17/23 10:59 PM

My wife and I, in our 60s and reasonably fit, will be traveling by car from Bordeaux through the Pyrenees. Specifically, we will be spending two nights at La Grange Marmottes, in the hamlet of Viscos (about 30 miles south of Lourdes). After two nights there, we will be driving on to San Sabastian to continue our trip.

It is our first time visiting the Pyrenees and we are unfamiliar with the natural attractions. Do you have any suggestions for scenic drives, destinations, or moderate hikes, within a few hours of our home base in Viscos?

Thank you, Mike and Jamie

Posted by Simon

Loire Valley

09/17/23 11:36 PM

824 posts

It will be difficult to know what to recommend until we know when you're travelling. Things are mightily different between summer (hot, occasionally stormy, sometimes drought) and winter (neck deep in snow)

Posted by acraven

Washington DC

09/18/23 08:36 AM

28085 posts

What I've read about the Cirque de Gavarnie is intriguing, but as someone who doesn't rent cars in Europe and cannot do any rural walking, I'll never be able to get there. The Cirque is about 30 km/1 hour south of Viscos by car, though I don't know how close you can get before you must start hiking. I gather it's not a stroll.

Posted by Simon

Loire Valley

09/18/23 10:44 AM

824 posts

From Viscos you have Gavarnie, Col de Tente, Troumouse and Ardidan. Cole de Tentes is the easiest walk - park at the top, and walk into Spain - we blogged it here https://daysontheclaise.blogspot.com/2021/08/the-route-departmentale-d92365.html?m=1

Or head to Cauterets and on to Pont d'Espagne. The NPY website is really good https://www.n-py.com/fr

As is this http://randonnees-pyrenees-64.fr/

Posted by dlindstrom

la rioja

09/18/23 05:15 PM

591 posts

I would suggest going through the Puerto de Izpegui on your way to San Sebastian.
It is probably a bit far to do from Viscos in a day but you can visit on your way to the coast.

Izpegui is a mountain pass on the border between France and Spain. From Viscos, you want to take the A64 to Salies de Bearn. This will take you through San Juan Pied de Puerto, and to Saint-Étienne-de-Baïgorry (both worth a visit) which is at the base of the pass. At the top there are three "ventas" or restaurants/shops where you can have a drink or a lunch. The views are spectacular, and even more so on a clear day. There are aslo several hiking routes that go along the crest and there are usually people walking up there.

From there you can go through Elizondo and the Baztan valley and then take the N 121A to San Sebastian.

Posted by brad

09/19/23 06:32 PM

481 posts

Cirque de Gavarnie is right up the road less than an hour, one of the most dramatic sights in the Pyrenees. Park at the end of the road and it is an easy hike. Pic du Midi Bigorre is nearby. Cable car to the top wth dramatic Pyrenees panorama. There is an observatory and restaurant at the top. It is possible to overnight up there. St. Jean Pied-la-Port is a pleasant stop. Espelette and Ainhoa are a couple of cuties.