As far as the English speaking world is concerned, the Pyrenees are one of Europe’s best kept secrets. It is an area known only to the French and Spanish in any numbers. The mountains, valleys and villages of the region remain almost something of a mystery to most of us yet offer a wealth of scenery, history and superb hiking that is quite wonderful and unsurpassed. Such is the fame of the Alps that the Pyrenees are what we refer to as the “Cinderella Range” - beautiful and beguiling yet undiscovered. The mountain range itself forms the border between France and Spain and boasts more than 50 peaks over 10,000 feet. The mountains are spectacular with glaciers that descend north slopes to glorious forests of beach, oak and pine that fill the valleys.

Hiking is made easy by a series of gentle paths that wind their way through this wonderland and allow us to discover its secrets at a gentle pace. Towns and villages are a curious blend of the old and the new. Shepherds still tend their sheep and goats - the cheese is excellent- and valleys tinkle to the sound of cowbells in the high pastures - the old ways survive alongside new ski lifts and restorative thermal water spas so beloved by the good people of France.