ITINERARY DAY 1: SAINT JEAN DE LUZ  Transfer independently to the seaside tourist resort of Saint Jean de Luz. Check into your hotel then hit the beach on the Atlantic Coast. DAY 2: SAINT JEAN DE LUZ TO AINHOA  Ride “le petit train,” a tiny cog rail train, to a secret stop midway to the top of the La Rhune summit. Descend La Rhune and follow unpaved rural roads through charming Basque hamlets. We’ll arrive in the magical village of Ainhoa, famous for its whitewashed cottages that are unique to the Basque region. Distance 11 miles. Elevation gain 160 ft. / loss 1580 ft. DAY 3: AINHOA TO ST. ETIENNE DE BAIGORRY  Today we’ll enter the Bas Navarre, a collection of beautiful green valleys in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Hike to the village of St. Etienne de Baigorry where the river Nive des Aldudes flows beneath the Pont Romain, a Romanesque bridge built in 1661. Distance 12 miles. Elevation gain 1740 ft. / loss 1800 ft. DAY 4:  ETIENNE DE BAIGORRY TO SAINT JEAN PIED DE PORT   Connect old farm roads, fields, passes and gentle summits to a fascinating walled Basque village. Arriving on the route of St. Jacques de Compostelle, a one thousand year-old pilgrimage route, we’ll delight in a medieval atmosphere and our internationally acclaimed restaurant. Distance 11.5 miles. Elevation gain 3000 ft. / loss 3000 ft. DAY 5: SAINT JEAN PIED DE PORT TO CAUTERETS  This day marks our entry into the Haute Pyrénées, the highest peaks of southern France and northern Spain. Transfer by van to the ancient spa town of Cauterets. Enjoy an afternoon hike above town before relaxing at the café at our comfortable hotel. Distance 5 miles. Elevation loss 1900 ft. DAY 6: CAUTERETS TO REFUGE DE BAYSELLANCE  We’ll exit the village to the south over the Pont d’Espagne “the Spanish bridge,” lying on the ancient mule route to Spain. Ascend the flanks of the Petit Vignemale to the Refuge de Bayssellance (8,698 feet), our home for the night and the highest refuge in the Pyrenees. Distance 7.5 miles. Elevation gain 3600 ft. / loss 500 ft. DAY 7: REFUGE DE BAYSELLANCE TO GAVARNIE  Awake early above treeline then descend quickly into the upper Russeau d’ Oulettes following the river to a point where we will cross a bridge and wander trails into the mountain hamlet of Gavarnie and our castle-like hotel. Distance 9.5 miles. Elevation gain 700 ft. / loss 4600 ft. DAY 8: CIRQUE DU GAVARNIE  Our last days hike will take us up into the spectacular Cirque du Gavarnie, a massive rock amphitheater ringed with multi-teared cascades and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Sight in 1997. Given agreeable weather we will have a chance to hike up to the base of the Grand Cascade. Following the short loop finish we wander back to Gavarnie for a final night and dinner at a favorite local resaurant. Distance 8 miles. Elevation gain / loss 1300 ft. DAY 9: DEPART 45 "Great range of terrain, culture. Great hotels." – Michael R. TRIP RATINGS Moderate hiking up to 12 miles with ascents up to 3,600 feet. (Trip rating descriptions found on page 8.) EFFORT 3/ 4 COMFORT 3/ 4 3/ 4 TERRAIN *All ground transportation beginning in Saint Jean de Luz included during tour. Luggage transfer daily except at mountain hut. NOTE: Daily itineraries on all our guided treks are subject to change. Your guide(s) will make route decisions based on weather and terrain conditions as well as hiker's abilities. Saint Jean de Luz Gavarnie Ainhoa St. Etienne de Baigorry Cauterets Saint Jean Pied de Port FRANCE SPAIN La Rhune Pyrenees National Park Refuge de Bayssellance Vignemale Bay of Biscay MODERATE TO CHALLENGING HIKING