The Pyrenees form the border mountains between France and Spain, the mountain range is around 430 km long and runs between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. The border between the two countries mostly follows the main ridge. The mini state that does not belong to the EU Andorra is the only country completely in the Pyrenees.
Regions
- The Western Pyrenees or Atlantic Pyrenees extend from the Port du Somport westward and sloping towards the Atlantic to a low mountain range. Due to the predominant limestone, this region is mostly dry.
- The Central Pyrenees, also known as the High Pyrenees, host from Port du Somport in the west by Vall d'Aran in the east around two hundred peaks over 3000 m.
- From Cap Cébère on the Mediterranean to Vall d'Aran extend the Eastern Pyrenees.
Under the tourist brand Pirineus are the Catalan Pyrenees on the Spanish side of Lleida, Girona, Barcelona and the Val d'Aran and thus the districts of Alt Empordà, Alta Ribagorça, Alt Urgell, Berguedà, Cerdanya, Garrotxa, Pallars Jussà, Pallars Sobirà, Ripollès, Solsonès and Val d 'Aràn summarized.
places
Other goals
background
language
French, Spanish, Basque, Catalan
getting there
mobility
Tourist Attractions
- Cirque de Gavarnie - The famous stone amphitheater, bounded by 3000 m high mountains with steep granite walls about 50 km south of Lourdes on the D921. UNESCO World Heritage Site with the second highest waterfall in Europe.
- Brèche de Roland - An impressive 40 m wide and 100 m deep gap in the rock face between Spain and France, southwest of Gavernia.
- The Ordesa and Anisclo Canyon in the Parque Nacional de Ordes y Monte Perdido.
- Nature and nature reserves: The landscape of the Pyrenees is extremely diverse. With the Pica d’Estats (3,143m) lies the highest mountain in Catalonia, the Zona Volcánica de la Garrotxa is the most important volcanic area of the Iberian Peninsula. High mountain valleys such as the Vall de Camprodón, Vall de Núria, Vall de Boí, Vall Ferrera or Vall de Cardós are popular travel destinations in the Pyrenees because of their scenic charm and their cultural richness. Due to the uniqueness of its landscapes, a total of 331,661 hectares of the Catalan Pyrenees are protected. In the Lleida Pyrenees is the only national park in Catalonia, Aigüestortes i l’Estany de Sant Maurici. Other significant nature reserves in the Pirineus area are the Alt Pirineu Nature Park, the Natural Park de la Zona Volcánica de la Garrotxa and the Cadí-Moixeró Nature Park with the emblematic Mount Pedraforca.
- The Catalan Pyrenees are home to impressive examples of Romanesque art and architecture in Catalonia. The most important are the Seu d’Urgell Cathedral, the Santa Maria de Ripoll Monastery and the Sant Quirze de Pedret and Sant jaume de Frontanyà churches in Berguedà. The ensemble of Romanesque churches in the Vall de Boí occupies a special position, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its unique culture and wall paintings.
activities
hike. The Pyrenees offer numerous opportunities for hiking, from short circular trails to long-distance hiking trails lasting several weeks. In the national parks in particular, the paths and huts are very well marked and developed.
For hikers who want to take a longer tour, there are three long-distance hiking trails, on the French side these are Grande Randonnée on the Spanish Gran Recorrido called. All three cross the Pyrenees lengthways and take several weeks. However, one should not stubbornly follow one path, but make a detour to the Tourist Attractions of the Pyrenees, which are otherwise often left behind.
Information on short and medium hiking trails can be found in the articles of the corresponding Regions.
Rockclimbing.
Climb.
horse riding.
To go biking, in particular the great passes Tourmalet, Aspin, Peyresourde and Aubisque are very popular with mountain racing cyclists.
kitchen
nightlife
security
climate
trips
literature
Only a few travel guides cover the Pyrenees across borders, mostly the French or Spanish parts can be found in the respective country guides, Andorra is then mostly affiliated with one or the other.
travel Guide
- pyrenees by Michael Schuh, published by the publisher Travel know-how - The book actually covers all countries, a new edition (8th edition) should appear in mid-2014
- Pyrenees 1-4, published in Bergverlag Rother - In four volumes of the well-known Rother hiking guide different regions are covered (Volume 1: Spanish Central Pyrenees: Panticosa to Benasque, Volume 2: French Central Pyrenees: Arrens to Seix, Volume 3: Spanish Eastern Pyrenees: Val d’Aran to Núria - including Andorra, Volume 4: Spanish and French West Pyrenees)
- The Pyrenees round trip, Self-published hiking guides, cultural guides and road guides, recommendations from locals, June 2018 1st edition, Spanish Central Pyrenees, from the Hecho Valley to Benasque, via Ordesa National Park, Posets-Maladeta and Aigüestortes
cards
- ZOOM Spain - in the green row of cards ZOOM Spain Michelin covers the entire Pyrenees (including the French side) from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean on a scale of 1: 150,000 with the four map sheets 144 to 147, ideal for exploring the region by car - and certainly a good addition to navigation systems.
