Banyuls-sur-Mer on the Mediterranean coast is reachable by train from Perpignan and other major cities. The village has bus connections, accommodations, and services suitable for starting or ending your hike.

Hendaye on the Atlantic coast is well connected by train, including high-speed TGV services from Paris and regional trains from Bayonne and San Sebastián. The town offers a range of lodging options and transport links.

Distance

25 km

From the coastal town of 43.358611-1.7744441 Hendaye, the route climbs gradually through green pastures and Basque farmland, offering views back toward the Atlantic. It follows a mix of lanes and footpaths, passing pigeon hides and low boundary markers known as "mugas". Near the summit of La Rhune, the landscape opens to moorland before a short descent and final rise to 43.282369-1.6321941 Col de Lizuniaga, where the first stage ends at a quiet mountain pass beneath the flanks of the Pyrenees.

Distance

27 km

From Col de Lizuniaga, the trail descends through wooded slopes and quiet pastures before climbing again along forested ridges. It passes through scattered farms and hamlets in the Baztan Valley, with views of rolling hills and traditional Basque countryside. The path continues over gentle terrain before reaching the lively town of 43.146806-1.5171112 Elizondo .

Distance

14 km

Leaving Elizondo, the trail climbs steadily through dense beech and oak forest, gaining elevation as it crosses into higher pastures dotted with sheep and stone shelters. The path follows a mix of grassy ridgelines and forest tracks, offering views across the Baztan Valley and toward the French border. After passing remote farmsteads and grazing meadows, the stage descends gently into the peaceful village of 43.096111-1.4258333 Les Aldudes , nestled in a green valley surrounded by rounded hills.

Distance

33 km

The trail follows the upper Nive des Aldudes through a quiet pastoral valley dotted with scattered farms and patches of woodland. It climbs steadily toward the ridgelines, where panoramic views open over the surrounding peaks and prehistoric cromlechs mark the landscape. The route continues over open pastures and through small hamlets, offering a peaceful and varied walk before descending to the Béhérobie river, near the 43.060869-1.1973891 source de la Nive.

Distance

22 km

From Béhérobie, the trail climbs steadily through wooded hillsides and open pastures as it enters the Iraty forest, one of the largest beech forests in Europe. The ascent passes the summit of Occabé, marked by ancient stone circles and panoramic views of the surrounding Basque peaks. Continuing through high meadows and across undulating ridgelines, the path leads to 43.038056-1.0266672 Col Bagargui, a scenic mountain pass at over 1,300 m (4,300 ft). The final stretch offers sweeping views across the Pyrenees and occasional sightings of free-roaming livestock before reaching the col, where a mountain hut or shelter provides rest.

Distance

19 km

From Col Bagargui, the trail climbs briefly before traversing a grassy ridge with views across the surrounding valleys. It then enters a denser stretch of forest, winding between old beech trees and rocky outcrops. After a steady descent, the route passes through remote pastureland before arriving at the simple shelter of 42.967203-0.9403291 Abri d'Ardané near a mountain stream.

Distance

20 km

From Abri d'Ardané, the trail ascends through forested slopes and gradually transitions to open terrain with scattered limestone outcrops. The route crosses several small cols and grassy plateaus, offering views toward the peaks along the Spanish border. After a steady climb through high-altitude pastureland, the path reaches the ski resort of 42.969167-0.76754 La Pierre Saint-Martin , surrounded by karst formations and expansive mountain vistas.

Distance

25 km

Leaving La Pierre Saint-Martin, the trail descends through alpine grasslands before crossing a rugged limestone plateau marked by sinkholes and scattered cairns. It then climbs gradually toward a minor pass, with dramatic views opening over the Cirque d'Ansabère. The final section winds down through rocky slopes and patches of pasture, arriving beneath the towering spires of the Pic d'Ansabère at 42.897802-0.7165522 Cabane d'Ansabère.

Distance

17 km

From the Cirque d'Ansabère, the route climbs steadily along a stony path that contours above the valley before gaining altitude through a series of switchbacks. After passing through a mix of grassy slopes and scattered boulders, the trail crosses a high col with wide views toward the central Pyrenees. The descent is brief before a final ascent brings you to the shores of Lac d'Arlet, beside which stands the small 42.84067-0.615543 Refuge d'Arlet.

Distance

16 km

From Refuge d'Arlet, the trail traverses open ground before rising gently to a series of ridges with expansive views across the Aspe Valley. After passing Col de Lapachouaou, the path descends gradually through alpine meadows and rocky slopes. It then winds through sparse woodland and pastoral land as it approaches the border area. The stage ends at 42.795722-0.5258063 Col du Somport, a historic mountain pass connecting the French and Spanish sides of the Pyrenees.

Distance

14 km

From Col du Somport, the trail climbs gradually through meadows and rocky terrain, gaining elevation as it approaches the Peyreget area. The landscape becomes more rugged with occasional scree sections and views of surrounding peaks. After passing beneath the dramatic north face of Pic du Midi d'Ossau, the route contours along the slopes to reach the high basin of Lac de Pombie. The stage ends at 42.83565-0.427054 Refuge de Pombie, set beside the lake.

Distance

16 km

From Refuge de Pombie, the route climbs steadily over rocky terrain toward Col d'Arrious, passing beneath steep cliffs and past small alpine lakes. After crossing the col, the trail descends through boulder fields before traversing a high valley with views toward the Balaïtous range. The path winds past several tarns and grassy ledges before a final climb leads to 42.85796-0.288875 Refuge de Larribet, perched above a cirque near the head of the valley.

Distance

18 km

Tthe trail descends through alpine pasture and crosses a wide glacial valley before beginning a long ascent toward Col de Cambalès. The climb passes scattered boulders, occasional tarns, and patches of snow depending on the season. After reaching the high pass, the descent into the Marcadau valley is steep and rocky, eventually easing into forested paths alongside streams and cascades. The stage ends at 42.82002-0.194776 Refuge Wallon, set in a wide clearing at the junction of several valley routes.

Distance

14 km

The trail climbs gradually through alpine meadows before ascending toward Lac d'Aratille and the nearby col. After crossing into Spain briefly, it skirts rocky slopes and descends to the base of the Vignemale massif. The route continues beneath the glacier and then rises steeply through scree and switchbacks to reach Hourquette 'Ossoue. A short final climb leads to 42.77928-0.124137 Refuge Bayssellance, situated high above the valley with sweeping views of the surrounding peaks.

Distance

17 km

From Refuge Bayssellance, the trail descends through rocky slopes and grassy ledges, soon reaching the Ossoue valley. After crossing the dam, the route follows a high balcony path with views over the valley below. It gradually enters more vegetated terrain, passing meadows and scattered trees. As the path continues downward, the cliffs of the Cirque de Gavarnie begin to dominate the skyline. The stage finishes in the village of 42.732222-0.0094445 Gavarnie , set beneath towering walls and the tallest waterfall in mainland France.

Distance

19 km

From Gavarnie, the trail climbs steadily through alpine terrain, ascending to the Hourquette d'Alans with views back toward the cirque. After crossing the pass, it descends into the quiet valley of Estaubé, where meadows and cliffs create a remote atmosphere. A second climb leads to the Hourquette de Héas, followed by a descent through open pastures into the valley below. The stage ends near the 42.7510560.0871942 Chapelle Notre-Dame de Héas, a small pilgrimage site tucked beneath the mountains, and the nearby 42.7508050.0874468 Auberge de La Munia, a convenient overnight stop in the hamlet of Héas.

Distance

28 km

From Héas, the trail begins a long ascent through alpine meadows and rocky ground, climbing steadily toward the Hourquette de Chermentas. As you reach the crest, wide views open across the Spanish side of the range. The descent into the Bielsa valley follows a rough path through high pastures and scattered boulders, eventually leading into more wooded terrain. The stage finishes in the village of 42.66050.20796 Parzán.

Distance

20 km

From Parzán, the trail follows a track uphill before turning onto a steeper footpath that climbs steadily through pine forest and alpine pasture. The ascent continues across rocky terrain toward the Paso de los Caballos, a high ridge with sweeping views of the Posets massif. After crossing the pass, the path descends gradually through open valleys and meadows dotted with boulders. The stage ends at 42.6606780.3771949 Refuge de Viados, set on a wide plateau beneath the towering peaks of the upper Chistau valley.

Distance

13 km

From Refuge de Viados, the trail climbs steadily through alpine pastures and scattered pine before reaching the Port d'Aygues Tortes, a broad pass on the French-Spanish border. The ascent offers wide views over the Posets massif, while the descent into France leads through boulder fields and sloping meadows. After crossing streams and traversing a high valley, the path gradually descends into the Clarabide basin. The stage ends at 42.722370.4210 Refuge de la Soula, nestled in a green hollow near the base of several high peaks.

Distance

11 km

From Refuge de la Soula, the trail climbs steadily through alpine terrain, passing small lakes and grassy plateaus as it gains elevation toward Col des Gourgs Blancs. The ascent becomes more rugged with stretches of scree and exposed rock, offering views of glacial cirques and distant peaks. After crossing the high pass, the path continues over broken ground and past more tarns before a final climb brings you to 42.7038260.5081527 Refuge du Portillon, perched beside a dark mountain lake in a stark, high-altitude setting.

Distance

15 km

From Refuge du Portillon, the trail climbs steeply over rocky terrain toward Portillon Superior, crossing over 42.7015460.5263043 Col Inférieur de Litérole, the highest point on the HRP at 2,981 m (9,780 ft). From there, the route follows a high traverse with expansive views before reaching the base of the Aneto glacier. Depending on the season, the crossing may require care or equipment. After passing Collado de Coronas, the path descends over boulders and snowfields into the Rencluse basin. The stage ends at 42.66930.65075811 Refuge de la Rencluse , on a sheltered ledge below the Aneto and Maladeta peaks.

Distance

15 km

From Refuge de la Rencluse, the trail descends through rocky slopes and high meadows toward the Forau d'Aigualluts, where meltwater from the Aneto glacier disappears underground. After crossing grassy terraces and alpine streams, the path continues through undulating terrain with occasional woodland patches. As you approach the valley floor, the surroundings become more forested and the trail joins a wider track. The stage ends at the 42.626690.7636598 Espitau de Vielha, a mountain hospice set near the southern entrance to the Vielha tunnel.

Distance

13 km

From Espitau de Vielha, the trail climbs steadily through forest and open hillside toward Port de Rius, offering views back over the valley. After passing Estany de Rius, a quiet mountain lake surrounded by steep slopes, the route continues upward to the pass. From there, it descends across rocky ground and alpine meadows into the Valarties valley. The path follows a series of switchbacks and stream crossings before reaching the shore of the Restanca reservoir. The stage ends at 42.634730.85463512 Refuge de la Restanca, beside the lake in a high cirque surrounded by peaks.

Distance

17 km

From Refuge de la Restanca, the trail climbs through rocky terrain and sparse pine toward a series of small alpine lakes. The route continues over a rugged col and descends gradually through high meadows with views across the Val d'Aran. After crossing undulating ground and a final rise, the path reaches 42.6634780.9833199 Port de la Bonaigua , a road pass surrounded by peaks and the occasional presence of grazing livestock. The stage ends at the pass, where a ski station and paved road mark the transition to the next section of the route.

Distance

16 km

Leaving the high pass behind, the trail crosses open ridges dotted with wildflowers and grazing horses. As the path curves into the valley, broad views give way to pine forest and shaded trails. You follow a series of quiet tracks that meander past streams and meadows, occasionally passing old shepherd shelters. The descent leads gently into 42.7022671.09415310 Alós d'Isil, a small riverside village where traditional stone buildings line narrow lanes and the surrounding peaks feel close at hand.

Distance

13 km

The path begins with a steady climb out of Alós d'Isil, winding through forest and scattered pastures toward Coll de la Cornella. After crossing the col, the trail descends into a remote basin filled with glacial lakes, where streams may require careful fording depending on conditions. The route then climbs again over rocky terrain toward Coll Curiós and Coll de Calberante, with occasional cairns marking the way. A final descent through rough boulder fields leads to 42.7059451.18898813 Abri Enric Pujol, a small unmanned shelter set near a stream at the head of a quiet mountain valley.

Distance

14 km

A steep path climbs from Abri Enric Pujol through boulder-strewn slopes and sparse alpine vegetation toward Col de Certescans. The ascent offers wide views over remote valleys and rugged peaks, with occasional cairns guiding the way. After reaching the col, the trail descends past tarns and glacial features into a high basin. The stage ends at 42.7038891.30649714 Refuge de Certescans, a stone-built hut near the lake of the same name, surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery.

Distance

17 km

The trail leaves Refuge de Certescans with a gentle traverse above the lake before climbing toward the ridgeline that marks the border. After gaining height through rocky switchbacks and grassy slopes, it crosses into France near a high pass with views over deep valleys and distant peaks. The descent follows a long and varied route through alpine meadows, scree, and forest, eventually dropping into the valley of Mounicou. The stage ends at the 42.7077751.45006715 Gîte de Mounicou, a welcoming base set near the river and surrounded by quiet woodland.

Distance

9.8 km

The route leaves the valley near Mounicou and begins a long, steady climb through forest and pasture. As the trail gains altitude, the terrain becomes more rugged, with rocky slopes, scree, and occasional handrails aiding progress over steeper sections. After reaching a high saddle with wide views across the surrounding peaks, the route drops briefly before a final push across slabby granite outcrops and scattered boulders. A gentle descent leads into a high basin where 42.66511.4903716 Refuge de l'Étang Fourcat sits beside its namesake lake at 2,445 m (8,022 ft), offering shelter, meals, and the company of fellow trekkers in a striking alpine setting.

Distance

10 km

The day begins with a steady climb from Refuge de l'Étang Fourcat to Port de l'Albeille, a high pass at around 2,600 m (8,500 ft) reached by crossing granite slabs and loose scree. From the col, the trail descends into Andorra, winding through a series of quiet alpine basins dotted with tarns and backed by rugged peaks. The route continues downhill through meadows and stony outcrops before entering patches of forest. The stage ends in 42.6181231.53822511 El Serrat , a small village nestled in a green valley beneath wooded slopes and open summits.

Distance

19 km

The trail leaves El Serrat following a gentle path along the river through the Sorteny valley, passing through open meadows and patches of pine. As the route gains elevation, it enters more rugged terrain, with occasional stone cabins and views toward the surrounding peaks. After crossing a shallow pass, the descent leads into the Incles valley, a wide glacial basin lined with forest and pasture. The stage finishes at 42.5913231.66905117 Camping d'Incles, near the valley floor beside the river and surrounded by peaceful woodland.

Distance

21 km

The route begins with a gradual ascent through the upper Incles valley, passing meadows and pine forest before climbing more steeply beyond a stone bridge. The trail winds through rocky slopes and grassy terraces, eventually reaching the high saddle of Port de Fontargente, which marks the crossing from Andorra into France. From the pass, wide views open across the Ariège region and the surrounding peaks. The descent leads through alpine basins and past small tarns before the path levels out. A final climb over gentle terrain brings you to 42.56011.81014 Col de Puymorens , a broad road pass at 1,920 m (6,300 ft) connecting several valleys and marking the end of the stage.

Distance

20 km

The trail climbs steadily through open slopes that soon transition into rocky ridges, with views expanding over the Ariège and Cerdagne valleys. Moraines and scattered boulders mark the glacier-shaped landscape as the path rises toward the crest near Pic Carlit. Small tarns and rugged ground accompany the traverse before the route begins a descent across scree and alpine pasture. The stage ends at 42.559342.0038718 Refuge des Bouillouses at 2,005 m (6,578 ft), a staffed hut near the lake that once housed dam workers and now serves as a base for hikers.

Distance

18 km

The trail heads east along the lakeshore before climbing steadily over rocky slopes and through open alpine meadows. As you gain altitude, views unfold across the Catalan side of the Pyrenees, with tarns occasionally glinting among the rocks. A gentle descent brings you into the forested Eyne Valley, known as the “Valley of Flowers” for its rich botanicals and over 800 recorded species. The final few kilometres follow shaded paths lined with wildflowers and pine, ending in the village of 42.4736112.082512 Eyne , a tranquil mountain hamlet nestled at the heart of this protected reserve.

Distance

20 km

The trail leaves Eyne and climbs through mixed alpine terrain toward Col d'Eyne, climbing roughly 1,700 meters overall. After cresting this high saddle, a stunning ridgeline traverse unfolds, marked by rocky outcrops and views toward Pic de Noufonts and beyond. The path carries hikers past several small alpine lakes before descending to 42.4197222.25777819 Refuge Ull de Ter. The final approach dips slightly through meadows and past the ski station.

Distance

22 km

A narrow track climbs above the Vall d'Incles ski area before veering onto high ridges with rocky slabs. After fording the Torrent de la Portella, the path winds across open pasture marked by white-red GR/GR11 paint. The trail follows a long ridge, passing limestone "dragon's back" outcrops near Pla Guillem, before dropping gently through pine glades and grassy terraces. The descent continues toward the ski-area access road, then falls more steeply into the Mariailles valley. The stage ends at 42.501652.4079620 Refuge de Mariailles, nestled near the forest edge below the Pic du Canigou massif.

Distance

30 km

A narrow path leaves Refuge de Mariailles and winds through larch groves and open slopes, climbing gradually toward a high ridge. The ascent brings you close to the crest near Pic du Canigou, crossing rocky terraces and past several small mountain tarns. As elevation is gained, limestone outcrops give way to pine-sprinkled ridges. The descent begins through a mix of scree slopes and green meadows before dropping into the bowl where the 42.5017182.54877213 Gîte de Batère awaits at 1,470 m (4,820 ft). This restored miner's building offers dormitories, couple rooms, hot outdoor baths, phone charging, and friendly meals served in a sunny forest clearing.

Distance

13 km

After leaving the Gîte de Batère, you climb steadily through pine forest and open slopes toward a ridge near Pic du Canigou. Once on the crest, the trail contours in clearings with rugged scenery and occasional loose stones. Near a viewpoint above ravines, the descent begins along a mix of forest tracks and pastoral land. You pass the ruins of Formantera before following a track down toward Montbolo. From there, it drops via dirt roads and footpaths into the village of 42.4752782.67194414 Amélie-les-Bains . This short yet steep stage offers around 1,280 m (4,200 ft) of ascent and takes roughly five hours.

Distance

19 km

A shaded forest path climbs steadily from Amélie-les-Bains, winding above the Charle de Gaulle parking before heading uphill through mixed woodland. The ascent leads to the Roc de France ridge. From there, the trail drops into a small valley where the Fontaine de Las Salinas offers a welcome water stop before continuing toward Las Illas. In the final section, the path passes through open orchards and quiet village lanes, arriving at 42.4262322.78587815 Las Illas , where a free campground awaits.

Distance

22 km

From Las Illas, the route climbs gradually through wooded slopes before joining the border ridge. You ascend to 42.4792582.9226815 Col de l'Ouillat at 938 m (3,077 ft), a mountain pass where a small refuge and picnic area offer rest and views over the Albères Massif. From the col, the trail continues along forested ridge lines marked by cairns and yellow waymarks, eventually descending through pine woodland and open slopes. The stage finishes near the road at Col de l'Ouillat, completing the climb and setting you up for the next day's descent toward Banyuls-sur-Mer.

Distance

22 km

The trail follows a scenic ridgeline of the Albères Massif, gradually winding over the crest before descending toward the Mediterranean. You'll summit Pic Néoulous mid-route, offering sweeping views of coastline and hills. The descent alternates between forested sections and open scrub, with occasional vineyards appearing as you near the coast. Final kilometres drop through pine and blackthorn scrub into 42.4822223.127516 Banyuls-sur-Mer .