From the Queen to the King of the Pyrenees – a spectacular loop from Luchon
From the Queen to the King of the Pyrenees – a spectacular loop from Luchon
Hiking Collection by Julien Harté
From the Queen to the King of the Pyrenees – a spectacular loop from Luchon
5 days
4-8 h/day
67.1km
4,800m
4,800m
In this Collection, I propose a five-stage loop that takes you to the edge of the Aneto and across magnificent mountain scenery. From France to Spain, you'll travel through lush green valleys, over impressive ridges and discover magnificent lakes.
Your adventure begins in the spa town of Bagnères-de-Luchon. Relatively untouched by war over the centuries, the town and its thermal baths have attracted great names such as the famous Pyrenean mountaineer Henry Russell, Victor Hugo and Empress Eugénie. Empress Eugenie made thermal baths popular here and, in 1854, the town became known as the ‘Queen of the Pyrenees’. The arrival of the train in 1873, the construction of a casino in 1880 and the building of numerous villas all helped to make the town a popular destination for the wealthy.
The route also makes up part of long-distance hiking trails such as the GR10 and the HRP (Haute Route Pyrénéenne). In terms of accommodation, there are several gîtes and refuges en route, but make sure you book well in advance. You’ll find detailed information in each stage description. It’s also possible to wild camp, as long as you respect the environment.
This loop through the heights of Luchon regularly exceeds the 2,000-metre (6,600 ft) mark. For this reason, you should hike from June to September to avoid any snow. I also recommend wearing a good pair of hiking boots for the rocky sections. Don't forget to take enough food for lunch on the trails and reserve your evening meals in the refuges. Water filter bottles or purifying tablets are essential to ensure you don't run out of water.
The adventure starts at Bagnères-de-Luchon SNCF station. Trains run several times a day to Toulouse and Paris. The Arc-en-ciel bus network is also nearby via route 394.
All that's left is for you to embark on this incredible adventure!
Visibility:
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Ready to get going? Create and customize your own version of this adventure using the full route below as a template.
A spectacular loop from Luchon
63.3km
4,590m
4,590m
Last updated: November 19, 2024
Do it yourself!
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Ready to get going? Create and customize your own version of this adventure using the full route below as a template.
Plan your own version of this adventure in the multi-day planner based on the stages suggested in this Collection.
Activities
Expert hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Expert hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
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Expert hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
5. Stage 5: Granges d'Astau to Bagnères-de-Luchon – a spectacular loop from Luchon
19.4km
08:57
1,270m
1,780m
Expert hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Collection Stats
Activities
5
Distance
67.1 km
Duration
31:02 h
Elevation
4,800 m
4,800 m
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