Camins de chel

Pyrenees trekking

Venture into the frozen heart of the Pyrenees

Camins de Chel is an incredible Pyrenees trekking adventure that transports you to some of this mountain range’s most isolated corners. It’s a landscape of valleys sculpted by ice, three-thousanders once admired by the most intrepid explorers, and paths meticulously carved into the mountainside.

Seil de la Baque Glacier and Jean Arlaud Peak at sunset, seen from Pico Perdiguero, the stunning highlights of this trekking in the Pyrenees (Luchon)
Seil de la Baque Glacier and Jean Arlaud Peak at sunset, seen from Pico Perdiguero, the stunning highlights of this trekking in the Pyrenees (Luchon)
Seil de la Baque Glacier and Jean Arlaud Peak at sunset, seen from Pico Perdiguero, the stunning highlights of this trekking in the Pyrenees (Luchon)
Seil de la Baque Glacier and Jean Arlaud Peak at sunset, seen from Pico Perdiguero, the stunning highlights of this trekking in the Pyrenees (Luchon)

TREKKING WITH A MOUNTAIN GUIDE

Camins de Chel is a demanding trek that calls for extensive experience of unmarked mountain terrain. With our mountain guide by your side, as well as completing the trek safely, you’ll also find out all about the historic, natural and cultural elements of the landscape surrounding you.

TREKKING AUTOGUIADO

Las modalidades autoguiadas del trekking solo son aptas para personas que saben desenvolverse muy bien en terrenos complejos de alta montaña. Si es tu caso, nos encargamos de organizar toda la logística previa, para que explores la ruta a tu ritmo y con total tranquilidad.

CAMINS DE CHEL AL DETALLE

Here’s everything you need to know to start packing for your trek!

    Camins de chel is a tribute to the extensive glaciers that used to dominate this area, and captivated one of the most famous Pyrenees explorers of the 19th century:

    “To the southeast, very close by, but further down, the permanently frozen lake of Literola gave me goosebumps. To the west, the snow stretched away from me, up and down as far as the eye could see, towards the Gourgs-Blancs. I was in the frozen heart of the Pyrenees.”

    Souvenirs d'un montagnard, by Henry Russell (1863)

    ¿Camins de what??

    Camins de chel es «caminos de hielo» en chistabín, lengua del Val de Chistau, uno de los valles protagonistas de esta ruta de alta montaña.

    This trek is an exploration of some of the Pyrenees’ remotest mountain passes, valleys and lakes. It’s an imposing landscape carved out by the chel , or ice, of the old glaciers, once traversed by famous explorers like Charles Packe and Célestin Passet.

    Sunset over Lac du Portillon and Seil de la Baque glacier during the second stage of this Pyrenees trekking.

    The valleys you’ll discover

    Camins de chel es un trekking cross-border trek that takes you through four valleys in the Central Pyrenees: Luchon, Louron, Chistau and Benasque. They’re united by historic passes, the gateways that hundreds or mountain folk and mountaineers have used to cross into neighbouring valleys over the centuries.

    The very best thing about this Pyrenees trekking route is, without doubt, how isolated it is. Almost all the huts are several hours’ walk away from the nearest road access.

    Scenic views of the Vallée du Lys during the first stage of this Pyrenees trekking.

    Guided or self-guided trek?

    Camins de chel es un trekking que requiere desenvolverse muy bien en alta montaña. Esto incluye caminar con soltura por terreno no balizado (incluso fuera de sendero), saber leer el mapa y ser capaz de orientarse con la brújula en ciertos casos.

    The guided trek is for you if…

    • You’re in good physical shape and can handle long stages with steep ascents.
    • You don’t have advanced knowledge of hiking techniques, orientation or mountain safety.
    • You want to find out all about the history, culture and nature surrounding you on the hike.

    The self-guided trek is for you if...

    • You’re in good physical shape and can handle long stages with steep ascents.
    • You have advanced knowledge of hiking techniques, orientation and mountain safety.
    • You want to do the hike on your own, but without organising all the logistics, and with a geolocalisation device that makes the experience safer.

    Accomodation

    All overnight stays are at guarded mountain huts or refuges, with half-board.

    As with all mountain huts, rooms and bathrooms are shared. Resources are limited, as the only way to access these places is on foot or via helicopter. That being said, you’ll still have the privilege of enjoying…

    • A good shower, just what you need after a long day on the trail.
    • Mountain literature, sports guides and Pyrenees-themed books.
    • A cold beer whilst you swap adventure stories with other mountaineers.
    • A hot, mountain-style dinner and breakfast to start each new stage with your batteries fully charged.
    First refuge on this Pyrenees trekking, Refuge du Maupas, with its distinctive funicular behind.

    Don’t miss this spectacular Pyrenees trekking adventure!

    Check out the different options.