PYRENEAN PEAKS A week of majestic peaks and high passes for the stronger walker

www.colletts .co.uk/pyreneanpeaks

enquir ies@col letts .co.uk

01799 513331

At a glance

This holiday has been especially designed for stronger walkers in search of awe-inspiring days in the high mountains in the good company of other walkers. The Pyrenees is an outstanding destination for stronger walkers in search of harder high-level walking. We are on the doorstep of a wealth of impressive peaks and passes. Each day (except Thursday, your rest day) we will venture out on amazing high level walks in and around the Valle de Tena, each one taking us to the summit of a high-profile local peak. After each walk we return to our base at the delightful Hotel Sabocos in Panticosa. Our walks are tried and tested gems and they take place in both the Pyrenees National Park over the nearby border in France, as well as in the Ordesa & Monte Perdido National Park on the Spanish side. Our itineraries also include sections of both the GR10 and GR11. The holiday price includes delightful hotel accommodation, breakfast, three course dinner with wine (6 nights), packed lunches (5 days), return transfers to and from Zaragoza – and all transport to and from the walks.

Dates & Prices 14 - 21 July 2019 £825 Self Drivers* deduct £50 per person 28 July - 4 August 2019 £825 18 - 25 August 2019 £825 Single Supplement £100 1 - 8 September 2019 £825

Prices are based on two people sharing a double or twin room. This is a Sunday to Sunday itinerary. In the (hopefully unlikely) event that you wake up and think the organised walk for that sday may be too much for you, there are a couple of shorter walks “from the door” that you can self-guide, which means that you can take a break from the program, to return rested the next day. *Self Drivers would be expected to use their own vehicle to drive to the walk trailheads during the week - unless we have space in our designated minibus(es).

Grade : Hard - Long Ascents : 800m to 1000m each day Walking Time : 7 to 10 hours each day Descents : 800m to 1000m each day Terrain : Way-marked paths which can be steep, rocky and loose underfoot. Some short sections are very steep and may be

considered by some to be exposed. Previous hiking experience, surefootedness, a good head for heights and a good level of fitness are essential. If you are in any doubt whether this holiday is suitable for you, please call the office on 01799 513331 or email enquiries@colletts.co.uk and we will be happy to discuss the likely itinerary in more detail with you.

Included in the price • Accommodation - 7 nights in the 3* Hotel Sabocos, Panticosa • Buffet breakfast each day • Packed lunch each walking day (5 days) • 3 course evening meal, wine included (6 nights, not Thursday - your rest day) • Detailed route notes • Transport to/from the GR11 trailheads each walking day • Transfers to/from Zaragoza Airport or Zaragoza ‘Delicias’ Rail Station.

If interested in visiting Barcelona at the start or end of the holiday, consider the high speed AVE train to and from Zaragoza Delicias. Journey time – approx 90 mins. See www.renfe.com for train times.

Not included in the price • Flights & Insurance • Lunch, dinner, transport and activities on your rest day - Thursday

The Itinerary

Day 1 (Sun) – Arrive & Settle in We will collect you from Zaragoza and transfer you to the delightful Hotel Sabocos, our base in Panticosa, high in the Valle de Tena. This will be your 'home from home' during your stay. After a quick check-in, you can settle into your room. Dinner will be served in the restaurant at 8pm, over which a short briefing will take place.

Day 2 (Mon) – Refuge Pombie & Pic de Peyreget Circuit (2487m) 12.5km, 900m ascent/descent – A fabulous first day walk on the French side of the dramatic frontier ridge. Today you will find your walking legs, orientate yourself and settle in to your week in the Pyrenees. From the idyllic Pombie lake and refugio, this walk offers stunning views of the south-east face of the Pic du Midi d’Ossau, known as the Pombie Wall, itself a gem for climbers. Throughout the day you will be followed by ever changing scenery and panoramic views of the Pyrenees National Park from the summit of Pic de Peyreget. Stunning scenery throughout.

Day 3 (Tues) – Faja de Pelay (1900m) and Ordesa Canyon 20km, 800m ascent/descent – Whilst this walk does not include a peak as such – it is a true Pyrenean high level classic – stunning throughout. It begins with an intense ascent to a breathtaking mirador (lookout) high above the canyon floor. It then continues along a natural – at times narrow - balcony (faja) which has been formed by millions of years of erosion.

Day 4 (Weds) – Ibones de Anayet & Vertice d’Anayet (2559m) 17.5km, 900m ascent/descent – An excellent circular walk to the picturesque Ibones de Anayet nestled below the deep crimson slopes of the Vértice de Anayet. Great views across the abyss-like 'Canal Roya' and the frontier ridge towards Pic du Midi d'Ossau in France await walkers at these idyllic lakes. From here the straightforward but steep ascent of the Vertice de Anayet (2559m), provides rewarding panoramic views across the range – including stunning views of Balaitous (3144m), Vignemale (3298m) and the Picos del Infierno (3083m).

Day 5 (Thurs) – Rest day You are free to have a well-deserved lie-in (breakfast is served until 10am!) and to spend the day relaxing in Panticosa. Perhaps you will take a dip in Panticosa’s outdoor pool (open in July & August), or visit the 4* spa at Baños de Panticosa. There are also a couple of short walks from the door. On Wednesday night we will be on hand to help you to arrange taxi shares should you want to visit the Spa or explore the Valle de Tena on a longer self-guided walk.

Day 6 (Fri) – Ayous Lakes Circuit & Pic d’Ayous (2288m) 15km, 800m ascent/descent – This walk is described by the French as "The Way of the Bear", since it is said to have been the main passage of bears between the Aspe and Ossau regions. A demanding walk rewarded with far reaching and superb views. The Ayous Lakes circuit is a classic Pyrenean walk that should be a ‘must do’ for everybody – taking in numerous lakes and enjoying superb views across to the iconic Pic Du Midi d’Óssau and Pic Casterau.

Day 7 (Sat) – Garmo Negro (3066m) or Cuello Alto del Brazato (2578m) Two possible last day options to whet your appetite: Garmo Negro: 16km, 1400m ascent/descent - This is probably the most accessible of all the 3000m peaks close to Panticosa. From the summit the extent of the Pyrenees range opens up to you - with stunning views of the Pic du Midi d'Ossau over in France and towards the Infiernos and to Vignemale further east in the range. Cuello Alto del Brazato: 11km, 900m ascent/descent - This alternative, reaching a high pass, allows for a less strenuous day than Garmo Negro but doesn’t compromise on the views. Walkers are able to gain height relatively quickly on a well graded path followed by a short but steep ascent which is loose under-foot, and a tricky traverse across a small boulder field. From here a fantastic panorama of views including the impressive Vignemale (the highest peak in the French Pyrenees) may be enjoyed.

Day 8 (Sun) – Departure Enjoy a well earnt leisurely breakfast, and time to pack. The transfer to Zaragoza will depart at around 1pm after a tapas style farewell lunch. Please note – this is a sample itinerary and it might be subject to slight variation.

Pyrenean Peaks with Collett’s

Notes Your 'Pyrenean Peaks' holiday will be spent at your own risk as part of an autonomous group, in which each member of the party is responsible for their own safety and has a duty of care to their fellow walkers.

The following is an explanation of the status of our organised ‘Pyrenean Peaks' - which we refer to as organised, not guided.

Our ‘Pyrenean Peaks’ is a series of self-guided walks which are made available to you on a basis of goodwill so that you might enjoy a route you might not otherwise have undertaken if you had visited the area independently. It represents nothing more than the opportunity to go out on a beautiful walk in the company of like-minded individuals.

It is a fact that mountains, mountainous areas and activities undertaken in them are associated with personal injury and death. By coming to such areas, you are exposing yourself and your party to the possibility of personal injury or even death. In such an event, Collett's Mountain Holidays will not be held responsible for your interest in mountainous areas and your involvement in mountain pursuits, which can occasionally have tragic consequences.

In these days of litigation it is important you know that you (and each member of your party) join us on this holiday at your own risk as part of an autonomous group, in which each member of that group has a duty of care to the other. This is no different from the responsibilities you have on a casually arranged weekend walk with friends or family in the UK.

Our walk organisers all have experience of the mountains, some more than others. Some may have qualifications relevant to mountain activities, but they are not qualified mountain guides. We recruit and train our walk organisers in line with a Health & Safety Policy, which is based on Risk Assessments and recognised mountain safety procedures. Not being professionally responsible for you on our organised itineraries does not mean we ignore safety, nor does it make us exempt from owing a duty of care to each person who joins us on an organised itinerary.

Your safety is paramount and we therefore take our own measures to maximise safety. We do this in line with legal requirements pertaining to duty of care. We apply codes of practice to the procedures carried out by our outdoor staff. We assess, manage and communicate risk. We try to make people aware of the importance of mountain safety and to highlight their responsibilities when part of a group.

Our codes of practice should not really be taken into consideration or relied upon by you when deciding to join this ‘Pyrenean Peaks’ holiday, for at the heart of our procedures are basic mountain safety measures, which should be undertaken by every individual when preparing for a day in the mountains.

Finally, during your holiday with Collett's Mountain Holidays you act at your own risk on any ideas, information and opinions you might acquire from our walk organizers or from material prepared by us to help you get the most from the area.