Pyrenees next year

"Leonard Trim" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Have casually followed some of the threads on the Pyrenees over the last
year or two. Have now decided to organise a wee trip there myself next
year. Likely dates last week in July/ first week in August. Must be done
as cheaply as possible (£300?). Initial thinking is three of us sharing
a car, petrol, ferry and camping charges might be the way to go about
it. Flights would suggest a problem with sheer amount of camping,
walking and possibly climbing equipment, plus we would be stuck in one
area once we had actually got into the hills presumably.
What's the 'must do ' areas. I have an oldish guide by Kev Reynolds
which I have just bought off ebay, so away for a read now.

You *must do* Cirque de Gavarnie. Amazing. Good wee 'Aire de Camping' with
gobsmacking views. 1euro for a shower,great 5 euro breakfasts.

Any MTB area, I was at Plateau Bonascre, which is nr the Dent du Orlu. And that
Arieg valleyhas about 30 bolted limestone crags within an hrs drive, all nr the rd.

Nick

Quoted message said:

You *must do* Cirque de Gavarnie. Amazing. Good wee 'Aire de Camping' with
gobsmacking views. 1euro for a shower,great 5 euro breakfasts.

Any MTB area, I was at Plateau Bonascre, which is nr the Dent du Orlu. And that
Arieg valleyhas about 30 bolted limestone crags within an hrs drive, all nr the rd.

The GR paths in those areas are well manitained. We walked up and around contouring
above the cirque entrance. Walking up to the waterfall, the highest in europe, is easy but
steep scree.

In the Campsite - It's amazing waking up to the sound of the horses and ponies trotting
down to the Gavarnie stables past the campsite at 7am and at sunset.

I used the blue Kev Reynolds guide. It has the easy 3000m peaks as well.

The weather in late july was sometimes thundery 4-6pm. So the trend was up early
and down then watch the thunder. It was 30plus in Gavrnie and when the sun goes behind the
hills it drops quickly for a pleasant sleep.

If you want cheap kit head up to Andorra, Pas del Case is nr the Airege valley. Amazing
place.
5 course menu for 9 euros.

Some photos here http://www.mtbnick.fotopic.net/c646519.html

I have more of Gavranie and the waterfalls etc if you want, post up.

Nick

The message <[email hidden]>
from "Nick \(Scots\)" <[email hidden]> contains these words:

Quoted message said:

You *must do* Cirque de Gavarnie. Amazing. Good wee 'Aire de Camping' with
gobsmacking views. 1euro for a shower,great 5 euro breakfasts.

Quoted message said:

Any MTB area, I was at Plateau Bonascre, which is nr the Dent du Orlu.
And that
Arieg valleyhas about 30 bolted limestone crags within an hrs drive,
all nr the rd.

Quoted message said:

Nick

Sounds great, like your pictures.

--
Len Trim
[email hidden]

Bertie Wiggins said:

Leonard Trim said:

Have casually followed some of the threads on the Pyrenees over the
last year or two. Have now decided to organise a wee trip there
myself next year. Likely dates last week in July/ first week in
August. Must be done as cheaply as possible (£300?). Initial
thinking is three of us sharing a car, petrol, ferry and camping
charges might be the way to go about it. Flights would suggest a
problem with sheer amount of camping, walking and possibly climbing
equipment, plus we would be stuck in one area once we had actually
got into the hills presumably.
What's the 'must do ' areas. I have an oldish guide by Kev Reynolds
which I have just bought off ebay, so away for a read now.

Spain is generally cheaper and more rugged than France, fuel is much
cheaper.

I drove down to the Pyrenees this year.

Ferry £92 return: Dover - Calais, Peak season, off peak times (6am
outward, 11pm return)
Motorway Tolls E100: Driving via Bordeaux is twice as expensive as
driving via Toulouse.

going via bordeaux the journey can be done in 12 hours (from calais)

Leonard Trim said:

Have casually followed some of the threads on the Pyrenees over the last
year or two. Have now decided to organise a wee trip there myself next
year. Likely dates last week in July/ first week in August. Must be done
as cheaply as possible (£300?). Initial thinking is three of us sharing
a car, petrol, ferry and camping charges might be the way to go about
it. Flights would suggest a problem with sheer amount of camping,
walking and possibly climbing equipment, plus we would be stuck in one
area once we had actually got into the hills presumably.
What's the 'must do ' areas. I have an oldish guide by Kev Reynolds
which I have just bought off ebay, so away for a read now.

I'm pretty sure that if you pick a section of the GR10 or the High
Level Route then you'd be able to come in within budget (assuming
that's the budget for one rather than three). I flew to Pau from
Stanstead in September for about £60 (or maybe it was £90), but it's
possible to get it for £30 depending on when you go. You could then
camp in the hills (HLR) or at the end of each stage (GR10) quite
inexpensively. The Gites d'Etapes are also inexpensive.

It's great out there - have a brill time!

Wet fishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk

"Is our children learning?"
g.w.AT [guessthisbit].com

Quoted message said:

Sounds great, like your pictures.

It was. I have been to Chamonix, Grindewald, Dolomites and the Pyrenees.

The pyrenees was great. Much quieter than the other places. Not many glaciers
and more remote - non cable car- walking, I prefer that.

I'll be going back next yr. Catch the TDF if you can.

Nick

Quoted message said:

Ferry £92 return: Dover - Calais, Peak season, off peak times (6am
outward, 11pm return)
Motorway Tolls E100: Driving via Bordeaux is twice as expensive as
driving via Toulouse.
Fuel E300
Camping E112 (2 man tent, two weeks)
Food

Four people sharing a car, two tents: £23 + E156 + food.

Tolls and fuel are estimates.

www.mappy.com is very accurate for tolls. I drove fromPolmont to Rosyth then the superfast
ferry to Zeebrugge. After being in the alps drove to Ax Les Thermes via Montpellier, then
picked up my brother from Toulouse airport. The Campanille hotel there was very good value
and next to the airport.

Nick

news said:

Bertie Wiggins said:

Leonard Trim said:

Have casually followed some of the threads on the Pyrenees over the
last year or two. Have now decided to organise a wee trip there
myself next year. Likely dates last week in July/ first week in
August. Must be done as cheaply as possible (£300?). Initial
thinking is three of us sharing a car, petrol, ferry and camping
charges might be the way to go about it. Flights would suggest a
problem with sheer amount of camping, walking and possibly climbing
equipment, plus we would be stuck in one area once we had actually
got into the hills presumably.
What's the 'must do ' areas. I have an oldish guide by Kev Reynolds
which I have just bought off ebay, so away for a read now.

Spain is generally cheaper and more rugged than France, fuel is much
cheaper.

I drove down to the Pyrenees this year.

Ferry £92 return: Dover - Calais, Peak season, off peak times (6am
outward, 11pm return)
Motorway Tolls E100: Driving via Bordeaux is twice as expensive as
driving via Toulouse.

going via bordeaux the journey can be done in 12 hours (from calais)

A fair point.

E200 in tolls - 12 hours driving
E100 in tolls - 15 hours driving

With four people sharing a car the quicker route may be worthwhile.

"Leonard Trim" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Have casually followed some of the threads on the Pyrenees over the last
year or two. Have now decided to organise a wee trip there myself next
year. Likely dates last week in July/ first week in August. Must be done
as cheaply as possible (£300?).

Probably cheap to Ryanair fly to Carcassone then train in. If you book now
then the flight will be very cheap.

Nick

On Wed, 12 Oct 2005 20:10:35 GMT, "Nick \(Scots\)" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Ferry £92 return: Dover - Calais, Peak season, off peak times (6am
outward, 11pm return)
Motorway Tolls E100: Driving via Bordeaux is twice as expensive as
driving via Toulouse.
Fuel E300
Camping E112 (2 man tent, two weeks)
Food

Four people sharing a car, two tents: £23 + E156 + food.

Tolls and fuel are estimates.

www.mappy.com is very accurate for tolls.

Calais to Luchon via Bordeaux, 1268.3 km, E170.20
130 kph motorway most of the way.

Calais to Luchon via Toulouse, 1117.2 km, E104.00
130 kph motorway and 110/90 kph duel carriageway.

ryan air pau or zaragoza 3 to 4 weeks prior to departure salent panticosa
very good value look at rough guide to pyrenees I spend 6 weeks a year drive
with family over night porstmouth cean/st malo etc........ but with group of
adults fly don't pay more than £50 return and £70 a week for a car if you
need any more info campsites hotels etc E-mail
best wishes andy
"Nick (Scots)" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Leonard Trim" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Have casually followed some of the threads on the Pyrenees over the last
year or two. Have now decided to organise a wee trip there myself next
year. Likely dates last week in July/ first week in August. Must be done
as cheaply as possible (£300?).

Probably cheap to Ryanair fly to Carcassone then train in. If you book now
then the flight will be very cheap.

Nick

The best way of seeing the Pyrenees is without a car, honestly. Flights are
now probably cheaper than driving. And if you're hiking you should be able
to get everything in a decent sized pack. Public transport is easy and
cheap. It's probably not worth going for less than 10 days (especially if
you're going by car).

Some photos to inspire you:

http://ecotrend.org.uk/Pyrenees-05/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/andy-howell/sets/778594/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/andy-howell/sets/212445/

Email me if you want some itinerary ideas.

--
Andy Howell
Birmingham, UK

To mail simply put back the dots ...

On 12/10/05 21:29, in article
[email hidden], "Nick (Scots)"

Quoted message said:

Probably cheap to Ryanair fly to Carcassone then train in. If you book now
then the flight will be very cheap.

Pau is even cheaper!

--
Andy Howell
Birmingham, UK

To mail simply put back the dots ...

Andy Howell said:

On 12/10/05 21:29, in article
[email hidden], "Nick (Scots)"

Quoted message said:

Probably cheap to Ryanair fly to Carcassone then train in. If you
book now then the flight will be very cheap.

Pau is even cheaper!

Pau is a car crash of a town to look at. it's like skegness or brighton

I've stayed in Arudy which isn't far from Pau. typical pyrenees town, cheap,
lovely looking, dog mess all over the place. http://snipurl.com/ig23 I stayed
in the room with the balcony over the door. c£40/ night including breakfast,
evening meal and a few beers. and a caraffe or two of wine. sadly I didn't
have time to do any walking or cycling but I will, one day.

On 12/10/05 21:39, in article [email hidden],

Bertie Wiggins said:

Calais to Luchon via Bordeaux, 1268.3 km, E170.20
130 kph motorway most of the way.

Calais to Luchon via Toulouse, 1117.2 km, E104.00
130 kph motorway and 110/90 kph duel carriageway.

Hell of a long drive though!

--
Andy Howell
Birmingham, UK

To mail simply put back the dots ...

news said:

Pau is a car crash of a town to look at. it's like skegness or brighton

A bit unfair that. Any town with the Boulevard des Pyrenees is surely better
than that/

--
Andy Howell
Birmingham, UK

To mail simply put back the dots ...

On Wed, 12 Oct 2005 22:54:03 GMT, Andy Howell

andy.howellNOSPAM@ecotrendDOTorgDOTuk said:

Quoted message said:

Calais to Luchon via Bordeaux, 1268.3 km, E170.20
130 kph motorway most of the way.

Calais to Luchon via Toulouse, 1117.2 km, E104.00
130 kph motorway and 110/90 kph duel carriageway.

Hell of a long drive though!

I've allocated two days each way for the trip I'm planning for next
summer.

Bertie Wiggins said:

On Wed, 12 Oct 2005 22:54:03 GMT, Andy Howell

andy.howellNOSPAM@ecotrendDOTorgDOTuk said:

Quoted message said:

Calais to Luchon via Bordeaux, 1268.3 km, E170.20
130 kph motorway most of the way.

Calais to Luchon via Toulouse, 1117.2 km, E104.00
130 kph motorway and 110/90 kph duel carriageway.

Hell of a long drive though!

I've allocated two days each way for the trip I'm planning for next
summer.

I've done in in 12 hours without breaking the speed limit. I was quite tired
when I got there as you can imagine. the hardest part was the last couple
of100k which took a disproportionate amount of time due to local traffic,
getting stuck behind a grain silo for a while, traffic cops with speed traps,
etc,etc. beautiful part of the country, though. well worth the drive.

Lots of interesting information from you guys. My fortnight limit and
cheap budget is to let me squeeze the walking holiday with mates in on
top of a family holiday. If by car from Fife, Scotland it will
unfortunately be four days driving out of fourteen leaving ten for the
hill. Not much if the weather turns nasty. Off now to check cheap
flights from Scotland to Pau. Suspect necessary changes at some godawful
place like Stansted will keep the car as first choice.

--
Len Trim
[email hidden]