On track in the Pyrenees all year-round

Conquer Mondarrain

The perfect hike in the Pays Basque for families and/or climbing aficionados. It’s an hour or so’s climb to reach the plateau that overlooks the surrounding countryside, where you’ll get views of the Pyrenees on one side, and the ocean on the other. Up on the plateau, there’s a bolted crag with climbs for all levels, and no shortage of perfect spots for a picnic on the grass and a siesta in the shade of the trees.

Siala via ferrata

A little-known via ferrata in the Ossau Valley, between Eaux-Bonnes and Gourette, with an easy start made up of a series of traverses above a raging torrent. Gripping! It then finds a way through an overhanging wall. It can be tricky but there’s an escape before the difficulties, on the left, so that beginners can feel the exposure in total safety.

Zip-line above the Valentin Valley

The pistes are clear for a slower mode of descent... on foot, for example. But for braver souls with a head for heights, there’s the giant zip-wire in the Béarnaise Pyrenees: 200m at high speed, hanging from a cable in the Valentin Valley. You can borrow our harness.

Snowshoeing in Gourette

The 42km of piste at Gourette go just as well on skis as in snowshoes. From white to black, there’s something for everyone, beginners and seasoned skiers alike, easy-riders or reckless daredevils. And if you’d rather head out in a snow groomer, chill in the sauna, or just enjoy a coffee with a view, we’ll see you on the Happy Place plateau.

Touring the Ayous lakes

There’s six in all: Roumassot, Miey, Gentau, Bersau, Castérau and Paradis. Leave the car at Bious-Oumette car park and head out for the grand slam. From peak to lake, on trails or through the forest, attack the peaks and dive straight into the cool water of a high-altitude lake. An unrivalled spring hike.

On the La Pierre-Saint-Martin botanic trail

When the snow melts, the mountains transform. Beautiful flowers with fanciful names sprout from the crags: fawn lilies, homrin, gesse de vivant, aquilegia... Follow us along the botanic trail and learn on the job! The kids can gather bouquets.