Outdoor Adventures with Ancient Brit
Pyrenean Haute Route 2005 - Home
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Walking the HRP through Spain and France
from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean
My final expedition of the summer of 2005 was a traverse of the
Pyrenees from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. The direct
distance is only just over 400km, but any walking route is likely to be
more than 800 km long, with much steep climb and descent. There are
three main walking routes across the Pyrenees: GR10, High Level
Route (HRP) and the GR11.
The GR10 is the best-known and most walked route and it remains
totally in France. Because of the geography of the Pyrenees, this is the
lowest of the three routes, spending more time in the wooded foothills,
but it has the most climb as it goes against the grain of the land,
crossing a succession of ridges. It is the easiest of the three routes as it
is on good paths all the way.
I have walked the HRP twice before, as well as walking it in sections.
It frequently crosses the border between France and Spain as well as
passing through Andorra. It isn’t so much a path as a suggested route
with many variations. It is more of a mountaineer’s route, using rough
paths and going cross-country over difficult pathless terrain and glaciers
as well as following easier paths. This is the highest of the three routes,
staying as close as possible to the main ridge.
The GR11 stays in Spain, apart from a short excursion into Andorra.
It also took in some very rough terrain and because it dropped down
into deep valleys and there was more climb than on the HRP.
from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean
My final expedition of the summer of 2005 was a traverse of the
Pyrenees from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. The direct
distance is only just over 400km, but any walking route is likely to be
more than 800 km long, with much steep climb and descent. There are
three main walking routes across the Pyrenees: GR10, High Level
Route (HRP) and the GR11.
The GR10 is the best-known and most walked route and it remains
totally in France. Because of the geography of the Pyrenees, this is the
lowest of the three routes, spending more time in the wooded foothills,
but it has the most climb as it goes against the grain of the land,
crossing a succession of ridges. It is the easiest of the three routes as it
is on good paths all the way.
I have walked the HRP twice before, as well as walking it in sections.
It frequently crosses the border between France and Spain as well as
passing through Andorra. It isn’t so much a path as a suggested route
with many variations. It is more of a mountaineer’s route, using rough
paths and going cross-country over difficult pathless terrain and glaciers
as well as following easier paths. This is the highest of the three routes,
staying as close as possible to the main ridge.
The GR11 stays in Spain, apart from a short excursion into Andorra.
It also took in some very rough terrain and because it dropped down
into deep valleys and there was more climb than on the HRP.
Click on the links on the left to access the photos for each day.
At a later date I hope to add journal entries and complete the captions to the photos.
There is also a daily schedule which should help anyone planning to hike the HRP.
There are a few naturist photos included in with the journals. Please leave the site if these
would offend you.
At a later date I hope to add journal entries and complete the captions to the photos.
There is also a daily schedule which should help anyone planning to hike the HRP.
There are a few naturist photos included in with the journals. Please leave the site if these
would offend you.
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