Crossing the High Pyrenees on horseback

We particularly love the atmosphere of the vast summer pastures of the Payolle plateau amidst the herds. Outlying barns, a stream, vast alpine meadows – we are at the heart of a postcard of Pyrenean pastoralism.

In the late afternoon, we head to the magnificent mountain setting of the Arize valley for a superb bivouac facing the Pic du Midi de Bigorre. Our first night bivouacking in the heart of the Pic du Midi dark sky reserve.

After waking up in the heart of the mountains, we continue our ascent past Lake Arizes and then towards the magnificent Col d'Aouet (2184m) before descending gently along beautiful balcony trails towards the Lesponnes valley. Magnificent panoramic views of the peaks of the Haute Bigorre.

We climb through a wooded area to reach the high-altitude meadows. We pass through old mountain hamlets, restored using traditional methods. The landscapes are incredible. We ride at the pace of our horses along this wild route beneath the Pic du Montaigu until we descend into the Gave valley via the Hautacam site.

We will spend the night camping on the shores of Lake Isaby. A jewel magnified by its mountain cirque.

We continue our equestrian adventure along the Hautacam ridge. A cross-country ski resort in winter, this site is majestic with its wide-open landscape. The view is breathtaking over the Gave valleys and, to the west, the depths of the Val d'Azun. Passing through summer pastures and herds of livestock, we descend gently back towards the valley to spend the night near the charming village of Saint-Pastous.

At the rhythm of our horses' hooves, we cross the valley of the mountain streams and quickly reach the granite paths that connect the villages of the Azun Valley … We gain altitude as the wildness reclaims the surrounding environment. We love how this land resonates within us, inspiring so many journeys!

We return to a vantage point overlooking the majestic mountain ranges that unfold before us from Mont de Gez . Soon we will reach the end of your horseback riding expedition at the Bernicaze farm.

You have just completed a part of the Pyrenees crossing inspired by the GR10 on horseback… Discover also the Cap à l'Est stay which is also an itinerary inspired by the famous GR between the Hautes Pyrénées and the Haute Garonne on horseback as well as the crossing of the Pyrenees version of the Pyrenean High Route between the Aneto and Posets massifs.