The route
The walks follow good footpaths and the terrain is varied and often rocky. The route is marked in most places, but there may be challenges in some places where you will have to follow the material we give you. To go on this trip we recommend that you are in good shape and have experience of hiking in the mountains.
Itinerary
You arrive at your first accommodation in Luchon. Depending on when you arrive, you may wish to visit the thermal baths or go on one of the two extra walks, which you can choose from in the material provided.
Hotel (example): Hotel des 2 Nations
You'll start your first day of walking on the GR10 from Luchon to Aulus le Bains with a transfer to Artigue. From here you cross the high Col de la Peyrahitta (1947m). Immediately after the pass, you can climb the Pic de Bacanère (2193m) if you wish. This variation is not part of the GR10, but joins the route at Lake Dessus. Once you have crossed the ridge of the Cigalères (2093m), you pass one mountain hut after another before finally arriving at the village of Fos (544m).
Hotel (example): Ecogite la Grange
The day starts again with a short transfer. This time to Labach de Melles. From here, the GR10 route climbs to an altitude of 980 m until you reach the foot of the Ariège mountains. From the Col d'Auéran mountain pass, the GR10 continues to Etang d'Araing, where you can enjoy the wide open spaces and views for which the area is famous. If the weather is good, you can climb Crabère (2629moh) and enjoy the stunning views from the top to the Maladeta massif.
Note: Tonight you will stay in a mountain hut to which luggage cannot be taken. Therefore you will have to pack bed/sleeping bag, toiletries, change of clothes etc. and carry it on the hike today. You will only be contacted about your luggage after the hike tomorrow.
Hotel (example): Refuge
This stage connects Etang d'Araing with Eylie d'en Haut. The route crosses the first part of the Ariége mountains through a series of small mountain villages - where you must remember to enjoy the special atmosphere and architecture. Today's stage is very short, but it is possible to extend the route and climb Pic de l'Har (2424moh), where there is a great viewpoint to some of the highest mountains in the Couserans region.
Hotel (example): Gite d'Eylie
Starting from Eylie, this first sporty stage in the heart of the Couserans crosses the wild landscapes typical of this part of the Pyrenees: beech forests, summer pastures, shepherds’ huts, and more. As you reach the Arech and Clot du Lac passes, you will enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding mountains rising above deep valleys. The route then continues towards Pla de la Lau and the Maison du Valier.
Hotel (example): Maison du Valier
This stage follows trails that often run like balconies between the high mountains and the foothills of the Couserans. You leave the Mont Valier massif, the iconic peak of the Couserans, behind as you enjoy magnificent views of it and other high summits in the area. The charming little pond at Ayes also adds beauty to the route before you reach the Col de la Core and then the valley leading to Aunac.
Hotel (example): Gite la Colline Verte
In the morning, there is a transfer from Aunac to St. Lizier d'Ustou to avoid a long and difficult detour on the GR10.
From St. Lizier d'Ustou, in the heart of the beautiful valley, the route climbs towards the Escots pass. From here, you can enjoy a wonderful view of the last high peaks of the Couserans. You then continue towards the spa village of Aulus-les-Bains via the Casérien cirque and the lovely Fouillet waterfall. A possible detour via Guzet and the Ars waterfall offers the chance to experience one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Pyrenees.
The tour is now over and you will leave the last hotel of the tour during the morning.
Pictures from the trip
Prices and dates
Price includes
- 2 nights in a 2-star hotel (days 1 and 7)
- 3 nights in a hostel in private rooms with shared bath/toilet (days 2, 5 and 6)
- 1 night in hostel in dormitory (day 4)
- 1 night in mountain hut in dormitory (day 3)
- Breakfast every day
- Dinner every day
- Carefully elaborated route descriptions maps and other materials
- Access to the route in our GPS-app which works offline
- Luggage transfer between accommodation (not every day - see below under "luggage transportation")
- Transfers as described in the programme
- 24-hour local and international service hotline for the duration of the tour
- This is a packaged holiday and is therefore covered by The Travel Guarantee Fund - See which benefits this means for you - click here
- Transportation to/from France
- Drinks with meals
- Handling fee (€25)
- Tourist tax (if due)
Practical information
The price is based upon two people sharing. For safety reasons, this tour cannot be booked for solo travellers. There must be minimum two participants.
On this tour you will be on your own supplied with maps, route descriptions and luggage transfers. That means that your time is your own and you have plenty of time to enjoy the stages in your own pace.
Check the price quickly
You can quickly check the price of your desired trip without having to fill out any forms. Here’s how:
- Click on the "Calculate Price" button (you’ll find it in the "Dates and Prices" section) – this will take you to the first pages of the booking form
- Select your preferred date, number of people, room distribution, any extra nights, and any available add-ons you may want
- See the price
Get a quote
If you would like a flight included, or changes made to the trip, you can request a customized offer by clicking the "Get Quote" button at the top of the page. Remember to describe in detail what changes you would like.
The booking process
When you book the trip, we will begin booking hotels and arranging all the practical aspects of your tour. This process typically takes 5–8 working days, but in some cases it may take longer for certain bookings. If you arrange your own transportation, we recommend waiting until we have confirmed your booking before making any arrangements.
Dates
If you can select a date in the trip calendar (in the booking form), then this is a possible start date. We regularly update our trips with sold-out dates; these dates will then appear in red/grey and cannot be selected.
The flights to/from Biarritz or Toulouse in France are not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.
Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flights.
It works like this:
- You book your chosen holiday with us
- We confirm your holiday (usually within 5-8 business days)
- You arrange your transportation
Getting there
Here is a link for the perfect tool which will help you get an overview of how to get to the starting point of the tour: Rome2Rio
From the airport to Luchon
Getting from the airport to Luchon is easy. Get an overview of the options here:
From Toulouse: Rome2Rio
From Biarritz: Rome2Rio
Return from Aulus les Bains to Luchon
If you need to return to Luchon after the tour, we can arrange a transfer for you. This can be added upon booking.
Return from Aulus les Bains to the airport
Here's how to get from Aulus les Bains to the airport:
On this trip you will stay as follows:
- 2 nights in a 2-star hotel (days 1 and 7)
- 3 nights in a hostel in private rooms with shared bath/toilet (days 2, 5 and 6)
- 1 night in hostel in dormitory (day 4)
- 1 night in mountain hut in dormitory (day 3)
Note: You will be sleeping in dormitory on day 3 and 4. Therefore it is necessary to bring a sleeping bag liner/sleeping bag on the tour. You will be provided with blankets at all accommodations, so sleeping bag liner will be sufficient.
On this trip, breakfast and dinner are included throughout the trip.
Included meals
Breakfast is standard "continental breakfast" with tea, coffee, milk, bread, butter, jam etc.
Evening meals consist of 3-course menus with starter, main course and dessert.
Please note that drinks for the evening meals are not included in the price.
Lunch
Lunch is not included but can be purchased at the accommodation. It will typically be in the form of a picnic lunch that you take with you on the tour.
Luggage transfer is included on days 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7. The way it works is that on arrival at the first hotel you will receive your luggage tag in the welcome pack. You fill in the luggage tags and put them on your bag, where it will stay for the whole trip.
The luggage is collected around 9am each morning and arrives at the next hotel by 6pm (usually well before). If there are any special exceptions to the luggage transfer, you will be informed of this on arrival.
One bag can be transported per guest and bags must not weigh more than 15kg.
IMPORTANT / NOTE: On this trip there is one day when luggage cannot be transported and therefore on that day you will need to pack and carry all necessary equipment on the hike (including a bed or sleeping bag). This is day 3, when you will have to carry necessities for the nights, as you will be without your luggage that night.
On this tour, you will receive the following documents:
Upon booking
Immediately after booking this trip, you'll recieve a pre-booking-email where you can get a complete overview of your booking. Once the tour is confirmed you get a confirmation email from us along with practical information about the tour.
One month before departure
You will receive a hotel list and final travel documents.
Upon arrival at the first hotel
You'll receive the welcome pack, which contains everything you need for the trip. There will be route descriptions, maps, luggage tags and specific local vouchers. The documents are in English.
Notice: On some tours it is necessary to either print the documents yourself or to bring them electronically.
Hiking in mountainous terrain such as the Dolomites and the Alps requires good preparation and respect for nature.
- Be in basic good physical shape before the trip
- Wear proper hiking shoes or boots
- Bring plenty of water and some food or snacks for the hike
- Dress appropriately for the conditions
- Use the provided map or GPS information (for example via the Bering Travel app) and stay on marked trails
- Bring a fully charged phone and a power bank
- Always check the weather forecast and the route before setting out as conditions can change quickly and your own safety should always come before reaching impressive viewpoints
After booking this trip, you get access to various discount schemes.
We recommend taking out travel insurance that covers at least illness, accident, repatriation, lost holiday, luggage and liability. As a customer, you are responsible for taking out the necessary travel insurance to cover these costs.
Before taking out insurance, you should check whether you are already covered by travel or cancellation insurance through your home insurance company, credit card or similar - please note that there may be differences in insurance coverage.
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