D1 – Les Agudes – La Vallée Blanche

Transfer to Bagnères de Luchon, where we drop off our gear at the hotel, before setting off again for a few kilometers to Les Agudes, at the foot of the winter resort of Peyragudes.

From here, a delightful warm-up awaits us as we make our way up the Vallée Blanche, following the stream through the white winter carpet of beech and fir trees. Higher up, the view opens out onto the splendid plateau, immaculate with fresh snow, dominated by the majestic ridge line and the summit of Montségu.

From here, we reach the pretty little Montmédan hut. Back to the vehicle and transfer to Luchon. We’ll go to the thermal baths to collect our 5-hour pass to the spa, which we’ll use as we wish, individually, until the end of our stay!

Walking time: 3 to 4h, Difference in altitude: + 350m / – 350m

D2 – Col de Peyresourde – Cap de Hont Nère

Transfer to Col de Peyresourde. From here, we climb due north, quickly reaching the splendid, wide ridge line that we follow towards Cap de Hont Nère. The view is splendid, as we progress, snowshoes in hand, over vast white expanses, with an extraordinary panorama.

To the west, the Néouvielle massif, with Pic Long, Arbizon and Pic du Néouvielle. Further east, the high peaks of the Luchonnais region are clearly visible, dominated by Perdiguère at 3222m. Return to the vehicle, and in Luchon, relax at the thermal baths.

Walking time: 3 to 4h, Difference in altitude: +350m / -350m

D3 – Col du Portillon – Col de Barèges

Today we transfer to the Col du Portillon, gateway to the Spanish Pyrenees and the Val d’Aran. From here, we walk through a beautiful forest, where beech and fir coexist, before crossing some magical secret clearings, frozen in the white magic of winter. Then we leave the forest cover and make one last effort to reach the Col de Barèges, at 1746m altitude. In the space of a few seconds, a grandiose spectacle unfolds before us. At the pass, behind the two beautiful mountain huts, the backdrop is the Luchonnais 3000 chain, with the summit of Perdiguère at the top. A real postcard photo, in an enchanting setting! Back to Luchon, with a break at the spa for those who want it!

Walking time: 4h, Difference in altitude: + 500m / – 500m

D4 – Bourg d’Oueil – Col de Pierrefitte

Transfer to the small village of Bourg d’Oueil, nestling at the end of the bucolic Oueil valley, a few kilometers from Luchon. From the village, we soon see the day’s objective, the Col de Pierrefitte, 500m higher up! The obvious route takes us up this lovely, immaculately white valley, crossing small watercourses, skirting hazelnut trees stripped of their summer garb, to reach the Col de Pierrefitte, at 1857m altitude. Here we discover the cromlech of Port de Pierrefitte, a fascinating megalithic vestige with a white menhir standing proudly in its midst. But that’s not all the pass has to offer! The view from the pass is splendid. To the west, you can see the imposing summit of the Pic du Midi de Bigorre, easily recognized by its observatory. On the other side, the Luchonnais massif and the Aneto, the highest peak in the Pyrenees! Return to the vehicle, transfer to Luchon, and a relaxing break at the thermal baths, as you wish!

Walking time: 4h, Difference in altitude: + 500m / – 500m

D5 – Artigue – Cabane de Saunères

For this final outing, we set off from the small, typically mountain village of Artigue, perched at 1200m, on a balcony overlooking the Bagnères-de-Luchon valley. We climb steadily upwards along the GR10, which takes us through vast, all-white estives overlooking the valley. We then move into the Cigalère forest, before leaving the woods and continuing across these vast expanses, until we reach the Saunères hut. From here, the panorama over the town of Luchon, and the immense, spectacular wall of snow-capped peaks beyond, is breathtaking! Return to Luchon, for a final moment of relaxation at the Luchon thermal baths.

Walking time: 4h, Difference in altitude: + 450m / – 450m

D6 – End of stay

Transfer and dispersal after breakfast.