Pyrenees beyond borders
Historic trek in the Pyrenees
Los puertos pirenaicos no son fronteras entre dos países, son el final de una subida y el inicio de una bajada. Son el nexo de unión de una cultura común que no entiende de barreras y que queremos compartir contigo. En esta ruta entre refugios en los Pirineos, viviremos la crónica reciente de estas montañas: desde las férreas relaciones entre los habitantes de los valles hasta historias de contrabando, industria, guerras y exilio. Una mirada al pasado para comprender mejor el presente. Eso sí, ¡lígate las botas, que te va a tocar caminar!
TU VIAJE, AL DETALLE
You'll enjoy a ruta transfronteriza entre refugios through the Pyrenees, staying in mountain huts and crossing the passes that have long witnessed the historic ties between Bielsa, Aure, and Chistau — the living history of the Pyrenees.
You'll embark on a microadventure trek, supported by a 4×4 vehicle 4×4 to make the most of each day, so you return home feeling like you’ve lived far more than just a few days.
It’s a compact adventure without sacrificing any of the best things it offers: absolutely stunning landscapes nestled within National and Natural Parks, cosy mountain huts and the kind of mountain tales and local anecdotes you won’t find anywhere else.
A must-do hike for lovers of authentic stories and high mountain adventures.
Highlights
- Trek with 4x4 support.
- Perfect blend of history, landscape and adventure.
- Unique experience sleeping in guarded mountain huts.
- Local mountain guide.
Program
Welcome and briefing
At 7:30 PM, we’ll hold a brief briefing in San Juan de Plan (Chistau, Spain) to quickly go over the route for the coming days, make final checks on the bikes and gear, and take the opportunity to get to know each other.
♦ If you need accommodation for this day or a transfer from a nearby train station or airport (Barcelona, Zaragoza, Bilbao, Tarbes, or Toulouse), please let us know in the contact form.
Stage 1: Bielsa – Rioumajou
The Freedom Trail, golden mines and the 43rd Division
+ 1000 m | – 1300 m | 17 km
Comenzaremos esta ruta entre refugios en Pirineos con una pequeña aproximación a bordo del vehículo de Lardana Expeditions. Tomaremos el camino del Puerto Viejo, lugar por donde miles de personas cruzaron a Francia de manera forzosa en uno de los episodios mas famosos y heroicos de la Guerra Civil española: la Bolsa de Bielsa. Francia nos recibirá con los lagos y la gran muralla de Barroude, en el corazón del Pyrenees National Park. The landscape and history held within the glacial cirques of Barrosa and Géla will leave you absolutely speechless. After a long but comfortable descent, our 4×4 vehicle will pick us up for a transfer to the Hospice du Rioumajou, where we’ll enjoy all the comforts in true pyrénéen style.
Stage 2: Rioumajou – Viadós
The chistabín passes: land of smugglers
+ 1160 m | – 1000 m | 14 km
After a hearty breakfast, we’ll follow the Chistabín passes trail as we enter the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park through the Puerto de la Madera. The history these border passes have witnessed could fill entire libraries — from boats that once sailed from these passes all the way to Marseille, to priests who smuggled underwear from France. Along the way, we’ll enjoy one of the best panoramic views of the Val de Chistau and its towering giant: the Posets, also known as Tuca Lardana. The Val de Chistau will welcome us in its own special way: with warm hospitality at the Viadós hut. One of the finest sunsets in the Pyrenees awaits you, framed by stone barns with slate roofs and peaks soaring over 3,000 meters.
Stage 3: Viadós – Mountain lakes tour – Bielsa
…and with water, light was born
+ 900 m | – 1050 m | 13 km
Como colofón final de esta ruta entre refugios en Pirineos, haremos una espectacular y solitaria etapa que pasa por un buen puñado de ibones que hace ya cien años sirvieron para abastecer la naciente industria siderúrgica del País Vasco. Como locales, creemos que esta excursión es una de las imprescindibles del valle y por ello la hemos querido introducir en este programa. Por la tarde, nuestro fantástico 4×4 nos recogerá en algún punto del bosque para llevarnos de vuelta hasta la civilización y terminar este magnífico minitrekking.
- 35-40L backpack with rain cover.
- Trekking poles (rental available).
- Sleeping bag liner.
- 1.5 L water bottle.
- Energy bars, nuts or similar snacks, and lunch meals for 7 days (packed lunches available upon request).
- Headlamp and spare batteries (rental available).
- Trekking boots.
- Long pants, thermal shirt, thermal leggings, and short-sleeve technical shirt.
- Insulated jacket (down or Primaloft).
- Waterproof jacket and pants (GORE‑TEX or similar).
- Passport and federation membership card (if applicable).
♦ You’ll receive a detailed gear list after confirming your reservation.
- Local mountain guide.
- Route planning and preparation.
- Personalised pre-trip guidance.
- Initial briefing.
- Welcome pack.
- 4x4 transfers within the area.
- Accommodation in mountain huts, half board (2 nights).
- Civil liability and accident insurance for mountain activities.
- Civil liability and surety insurance for package travel.
- Group safety equipment.
- First night accommodation.*
- Transport to/from the meeting point.*
- Picnics, drinks, meals not specified in the ‘What’s Included’ section, showers, and other extras during the activity.*
- Travel insurance (optional).
- Cancellation insurance (optional).
- Expenses caused by abandoning the route.
- Anything not included in the ‘What’s included’ section.
♦ If you require transportation to the Pyrenees, accommodation for the first night, or picnics (to book at the guarded huts), please specify it in the contact form.
Booking
- Booking request: submit a booking request through the contact form.
- Pre-contractual information: We’ll email you all the pre-contract information you need to review and sign, along with the trip terms and conditions and your traveller rights.
- Package travel contract and deposit: We’ll send you the official package travel contract to review and sign, plus the general terms and conditions and payment method. To secure your spot, you’ll need to pay a deposit of 20% of the trip price (unless your package travel contract specifies otherwise).
- Trip confirmation: When we reach the minimum number of participants, your trip will be confirmed.
- If we don’t reach the minimum number of people needed, we’ll let you know at least 7 days before departure and refund all payments made in full.
- Final payment: The remaining balance is due no later than 7 days before departure, unless your package travel contract specifies otherwise.
Package Travel General Conditions
You can check out our general conditions for package travel here.
470 €
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