In summary
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Sports
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Duration6 days
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LevelBeginner
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DestinationEurope / Spain
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AgeFrom 15 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions107.83 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
In a few words
On the edge of Navarre , the Bardenas Reales offer a spectacular landscape, sculpted by wind and time. This lunar-like desert , a designated biosphere reserve, fascinates with its striking geological formations , deep valleys , and arid plateaus dotted with fairy chimneys . Each season reshapes the contours of this ever-changing territory, blending desert areas with unexpected patches of green .
Exploring these wild lands, along carefully laid-out trails, reveals the richness of a site steeped in history and inhabited by elusive wildlife , including majestic griffon vultures that stand guard. Carried by the ever-changing light and the constant breeze , this journey invites a sensory immersion , far from the daily grind. An adventure in the heart of nature, where each step unveils a little more of the raw beauty of this extraordinary landscape.
The highlights
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Nights in a rural hotel, local cuisine and fresh regional produce
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Hiking on little-known routes, in the heart of the Spanish desert
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Cultural tours offered by our guides to discover all the secrets of the region
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
The expert's opinion
Stages on varied terrain, dirt, small pebbles with small climbs or descents but without any technical difficulty.
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 4h
- Average daily elevation gain: 170 m
Management
French
The stay will be supervised by a qualified mountain guide who is a specialist in the region.
An enthusiastic professional, he will be able to share his knowledge and passion for the natural environment with you, all while ensuring your safety. His dedication to his work compels him to adapt to weather conditions, terrain constraints, and other unforeseen circumstances, managing the pace and physical condition of each participant, all while remaining readily available.
Program
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Heading towards Navarre and the first wild landscapes
- Transportation Minibus - 04h - 294km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 1h30
- Accommodation Rural hotel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Meet in the morning at Pau train station for your departure to Spain. En route, you'll stop for lunch at the Foz de Lumbier Nature Reserve , an impressive canyon carved by the river, where steep cliffs shelter griffon vultures and other birds of prey . A first glimpse into spectacular and wild nature, before continuing your journey to your accommodation, at the gateway to the Bardenas Reales .
Day 1 -
Immersion in the Bardena Blanca, the mineral heart of the desert
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Positive elevation gain 100 m
- Accommodation Rural hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
A day of exploration in the heart of the Bardena Blanca , the driest and most iconic area of the park. You'll trek through landscapes sculpted by erosion , between canyons, barren plateaus, and astonishing rock formations. Castildetierra , a majestic fairy chimney rising from the middle of this mineral desert, marks a highlight of the journey. Each step reveals the raw beauty of a territory in perpetual transformation, shaped by the wind and the ever-changing light.
Day 2 -
Between plateau, cliffs and forgotten legends
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 200 m
- Accommodation Rural hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
You'll embark on a hike across the El Plano plateau , a cultivated area overlooking the Vedado de Eguaras reserve. The trail alternates between steep cliffs , open landscapes, and a stark, mineral silence. As you walk, you'll reach the Castillo de Peñaflor , perched on its promontory, a testament to a mysterious past. Legend has it that Dona Blanca was held prisoner there, adding a touch of romance to this already historically rich place.
Day 3 -
Rincon del Bu cliffs and glimpses of wildlife
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 250 m
- Accommodation Rural hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
This day trip takes you to the edge of the Rincon del Bu Nature Reserve , an area rich in spectacular geological formations and hidden biodiversity . The imposing cliffs are home to the Eurasian Eagle-Owl , an emblematic nocturnal bird of prey of the region. Walking through this stark landscape, you'll enjoy breathtaking views of the Bardenas Blancas , a landscape of contrasting terrain and plays of light.
Day 4 -
Wild ridges and distant horizons
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 300 m
- Accommodation Rural hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Head south of the park for an immersion in the Bardena Negra , where the wooded hills and high plateaus offer a striking contrast to the arid areas previously traversed. A ridge hike leads you to the Castillo de Estaca , from where you can admire the entire Bardenas Reales . In autumn, an alternative route through the Piskerra massif , in the heart of a more rocky landscape, may also be offered, depending on conditions.
Day 5 -
Crossing the Pyrenees and the end of the adventure
- Transportation Minibus - 04h - 294km
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
You leave Spain and enter France, crossing the Roncevaux Valley , a key passage between the two sides of the Pyrenees. A lunch break in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port , a charming town in the Basque Country, offers a gentle transition after the desert landscape of the previous days. Arrival at Pau train station is scheduled for around 3 p.m.
Day 6
Note
Your guide reserves the right to adjust the proposed itineraries based on weather conditions, the participants' skill level or fitness, or any other unforeseen circumstances. These modifications are always intended to guarantee your safety and comfort while maintaining the quality of the experience. The hiking and transfer times mentioned are estimates only. They may vary depending on the group's pace, weather conditions, and the state of the trails or roads. Your guide will ensure the program is adapted so that everyone can fully enjoy the trip.
Accommodation
For 15 years, we have been working with 2 family-run hotels (single rooms available in both hotels), which are located in small villages.
- In a converted former monastery, now a rural hotel with bathroom and toilet in the room, based on 2 people per room.
- In a comfortable, family-run hotel, with bathroom and toilet in the room, based on 2 people per room.
Our 2 hotels offer typical cuisine, with many culinary specialties from this beautiful region, based on fresh and local products.
Here we prioritize friendliness and location, so that you can fully enjoy your week's holiday.
Please note: Due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, we may need to change our hotel partners, even those with whom we have collaborated for many years. Therefore, the location of your new accommodation may be changed, but this will not affect the quality of the service you will receive.
Thank you for understanding.
Access
Go to the starting point
Parking in Pau
Free :
- Rive du Gave parking: above-ground parking 800 meters from the station.
- Free parking is available at the Catherine de Bourbon park and ride. A shuttle bus costs €1 per person and drops you off in front of the train station.
Paid:
- Long-term parking at the train station. Price: €55 for 6 days.
- Parking Place de Verdun, near the city centre. Price: €1.50 for half a day, except on Sundays (free).
Price details
The price includes
- The trip will be supervised by a qualified mountain guide who is a specialist in the region.
- Accommodation in a rural and family-run hotel
- Full board from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 6
- Return transfers from Pau train station with our 8-person minibus
- The tourist tax
The price does not include
- Drinks and personal expenses
- The journey to Pau train station
- Anything not listed under "Price includes"
Options
- Single room : CHF155.52 / person
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
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 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) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider 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.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
- A 30/50 liter backpack with a waist belt
- A protective cover for the backpack (if not integrated into the backpack)
- A pair of waterproof shoes with good ankle support
- A pair of walking sticks
- A plastic pocket to protect your belongings inside the backpack
- Sunscreen (cream and lip balm)
- Category 2, 3 or 4 sunglasses
- An insulated water bottle
- A headlamp
- A food container with an airtight lid
- A small soft-sided cooler and its ice pack (recommended)
- Cutlery, knife and cup
- Small floor mat (for sitting during your lunch break)
- Toilet paper with a small pocket (so it doesn't end up in nature)
- A lighter (optional)
Clothing to bring
The 3-layer technique helps to keep you warm and dry.
1. Breathable layer
2. Insulating layer
3. Protective layer
- Long or short-sleeved, breathable t-shirts (not cotton)
- Warm jacket or Polartec-type fleece sweatshirt
- A lightweight down jacket or a micropuff
- Windproof sleeveless vest
- Waterproof, breathable, and windproof jacket with a hood. (Gore-Tex remains the standard material)
- Lightweight, stretchy hiking pants or convertible pants
- Waterproof overtrousers
- A rain cape (optional)
- A short
- Pairs of walking socks, mid-calf or ankle-length, in wool or specifically designed for hiking (looped).
- Cap or sun hat
- Neck warmer
- Cap
- Lightweight gloves or silk liner gloves
