Walking in the Pyrénées  In the peak summer months the Pyrénées make for the most idyllic walking imaginable.  Rocky crags and mountain tops combine with sleepy villages and river valleys to make a terrain that is pure delight.  The weather is excellent in the peak summer months and this, combined with a multitude of other attractions in the area, provides the perfect destination for a family walking holiday.  Depending on the age, capability and experience of your children you will find there is a broad scope of walks with different degrees of difficulty and distance.

Lac du Bouillouses

Location:  Near Font Romeu.  Either drive to Mont Louis, turn left to Les Angles and then take the Navette service from the Place de Barres, or drive up to the chair lifts above Font Romeu.  Note: The D60 is closed to traffic in high season – you cannot drive all the way to the lake.
General Info:  Font Romeu office du tourisme website.
Description:  If you love mountain scenery this area has it in abundance.  You can walk a short or long distance…limited maps available from the ski lift stations.
Our recommendations:  Take cagoules in case of inclement weather even if it is a nice day.  It is surprising how quickly the weather can change and how cold it can get when the sun goes in!  Also be aware that in bad weather the chair lifts will stop operating.
For the children:  Our children preferred to travel by the chairlifts, starting with the short one from Calme Sud to Roc de la Calme, followed by a longer chairlift down into the valley.  It’s then a gentle 30 minute climb to the lake.  At Les Airelles ski station there is a lot of child friendly entertainment (mini quads etc.).

          - Cirque d'Estaube
          - Cirque de Gavarnie
          - Cirque de Lys
          - Cirque de Troumouse
          - Col d'Aspin
          - Lac du Bouillouses
          - Lac de Gaube

Needless to say there is so much walking in the Pyrénées we have only scratched the surface here.  For more information check out the websites listed in the panel below.

Websites on cycling in the Pyrénées (only for real roughnecks!):
http://www.cycling-pyrenees.com
http://www.cycle-rides.co.uk