Welcome to the Pyrenees which seduced the XIX th century romantics ! Let yourself be charmed too by the Pyrenees National Park.

It is the favourite territory for the Isard, the Marmot, the Desman, the Lammergaier. It is a world of grandiose landscapes, off the cuff botany...

An area of exceptional natural heritage without barriers or fences... where animals are totally free !

As Nature's guest Man too is free to walk, roam, climb, sleep out under the stars... providing they respect the code of good conduct and the Pyrenean National Park's regulations.

There are thousands of ways of discovering the mountains. Each at their own pace and according to their passion

Hiking ? Yes, of course !
But not necessarily several hours at a stretch, keeping an eye on the stopwatch...
Have you ever thought of observing the wildlife, the flora or the rocks, of fishing, taking photographs, drawing, listening to bird song, looking for animal tracks or reading the landscapes … ?
These are activities in which even young children can take part.
They will love paddling in the streams, meeting a shepherd or observing the world of the "infinitely small" with a magnifying glass...

Allow half an hour to two hours for your approach walk.
Choose hikes with a theme : "The marmot's life and habits", "The world of birds", "streamlife", etc.

Consult the National Park Programme for nature walks with park wardens (in Summer) and contact the National Park Centre in each valley. They will give you precious information. You may also contact the "Accompagnateurs en montagne" (mountain and nature leaders).
Sports lovers, climbers or high level hikers will also find plenty to keep them happy.

Warning !
Mountains are not ordinary places.
The weather can change very fast, storms are violent, the difference in altitude, even modest, can take people who are not used to physical effort by surprise.
Don't forget that it takes a good hour to climb 300 m. There are of course way-marked paths and signs. But despite these some people still get lost...

It is impossible to move in the mountains as one would in a town or in a public park ! It's not possible to go any way you like, there are cliffs and dangerous slopes.

It is therefore necessary to study a route, to look at a 1/25 000 map, to ask competent people for advice, to pack your bag properly and to be fit..
In short, to go well prepared especially if you are taking children along.