In summary
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Sports
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Duration7 days
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LevelConfirmed
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DestinationHautes-Pyrénées / Lourdes
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AgeFrom 15 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions152.74 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
In a few words
Embark on this horseback riding adventure in the heart of the High Pyrenees! Inspired by the GR10 long-distance hiking trail, the route will take you through the region, passing through legendary locations . The trails will lead you through diverse landscapes, including forests, lakes, and mountain passes, offering breathtaking views of the area's unique environment . You'll sleep with your horses in the heart of the Dark Sky Reserve and get up close to the majestic Pic du Midi. Accompanied by a state-certified guide and your horses, the High Pyrenees will hold no more secrets for you. The local flora and fauna will become familiar territory! Combining relaxation and sporting activity, this trip is perfect for a complete escape into nature.
The highlights
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A unique route on the trans-Pyrenean
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Swimming with horses at Lake Isaby
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Nights spent close to the stars in the dark sky reserve
Photos
Sport
Level
Horseback riding
The expert's opinion
For this ride, you need a riding level that allows you to be comfortable in the saddle at a walk, rising trot, and canter. You should be light in the saddle so as not to burden the horse on the hills. We have wonderful, active, and docile trail horses. You don't need to be a dragon pilot, but rather a comfortable and gentle rider.
You must also be comfortable on foot walking alongside the horse during descents and various technical sections related to the mountain.
In figures
Horseback riding
- Average duration/day: 5h
Management
French
A guide with a passion for horses, trekking, and the Pyrenees mountains. She knows each of her horses and the landscapes they traverse, ensuring an experience as close to nature as possible. Gentle and patient, she guides you along the varied terrain, at the horses' pace, attentive to each and every one of you on the Pyrenean trails.
You will be accompanied by a state-certified guide.
Program
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Arrival
- Accommodation Hostel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Welcome from 5:30pm on the Payolle plateau, the little Canada of the High Pyrenees. Surrounded by mountains, the scene is set for the start of this magnificent horseback riding trip in the Pyrenees .
Day 1 -
Straddling the ridges of the high mountains of Bigorre
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Accommodation Bivouac / Tent
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
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.
Day 2 -
Crossing a mountain pass at over 2100m altitude on horseback
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Accommodation Bivouac / Tent
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
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.
Day 3 -
Day 4: Stunning landscapes on a horseback ride
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Accommodation Bivouac / Tent
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
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.
Day 4 -
Ride westward
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Accommodation Bivouac / Tent
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
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.
Day 5 -
The Val d'Azun… Pyrenean paradise for riders.
- Transportation Minibus - 01h15 - 60km
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Accommodation Hostel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
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.
Day 6 -
When will the next leg of the Pyrenees crossing take place?
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
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.
Day 7
Accommodation
You will be accommodated in a 2-person tent during the stay for nights in bivouac and in a hostel for the first and last night on the dates of August and September.
One night in a dormitory at a gîte d'étape is also planned for day 4.
You will be accommodated in a 2-person tent during the stay for the nights in bivouac, in camping for the first night and the last night in a guest room on the date of July.
One night in a dormitory at a gîte d'étape is also planned for day 3.
You will be accommodated in a 2-person tent in a non-mixed setting (except for couples) during nights spent camping and bivouacking.
Access
The hike takes place in July in the direction of Payolle - Val d'azun.
In August and September the hike takes place in the direction of Val d'azun - Payolle.
A shuttle service is provided and included in the stay between the departure and arrival points of the stay.
For arrivals by train, we also organize a shuttle service. Contact us so we can tell you the arrival and departure stations, and the available times.
Go to the starting point
Depending on the date you choose to cross the high Pyrenees, we will indicate the possible arrival and departure stations as well as the timetables.
Free parking on site
Price details
The price includes
- All equestrian activities
- The civil liability of the equestrian farm
- Meals from the evening of Day 1 to the morning of Day 7
- Nights spent camping and in hostels
- Camping equipment
- The shuttle between the arrival and departure points of the hike on day 6
- Horse equipment
The price does not include
- Personal expenses
- Your riding equipment
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (
For example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return date. Consider visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to take into account any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
⚠️ For this stay, you must also provide a medical certificate for the practice of horse riding.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
- Tents
- Mattress
- All the equipment for horses
Equipment to bring
- Hiking shoes
- Down
- Riding helmet
- Headlamp
- Pocket knife
- Gourd
- Sunglasses
- Cap
Clothing to bring
- Riding trousers
- Rain jacket
- Windbreaker
- Polar
- Thermal underlayer
- Puffy jacket
They traveled with us
