| Pyrenees | |
 | |
| The circus of Gavarnie, a symbol of the Pyrenees | |
| Information | |
| Country |  Spain,  France,  Andorra |
|---|---|
| Massive | Alpine belt |
| Area | 19 000 km² |
| Rocks | Metamorphic, sedimentary |
| Location | |
 42 ° 44 ′ 56 ″ N 0 ° 38 ′ 4 ″ E | |
| Official site | |
The Pyrenees are a mountain range in the southwest of the France, from the north ofSpain and D'Andorra.
Understand
Geography
Topography
The Pyrenees form a straight chain, quite narrow, with a length of 430 km enter here Mediterranean Sea and theAtlantic Ocean. To the west, the massif gradually merges into the Basque mountains who in turn join the Cantabrian Mountains (i.e. a Pyrenean-Cantabrian axis reaching 1 000 km mountainous continuity). The simplest geographical definition of the Pyrenees is due to their "isthmic" character: between the Mediterranean and the point closest to the Bay of Biscay.
The Pyrenean valleys are frequently oriented north-south (with the exception of the Catalan valleys, most often oriented west-east). The central ridge line presents few discontinuities which explains why there are few crossing points between the northern slope and the southern slope.
From west to east, there are traditionally three mountain areas:
- The Atlantic Pyrenees between the Bay of Biscay and the Pic d'Anie, they do not exceed the 2 000 m. This area encompasses the Pays Basque and part of the Bearn.
- The Central pyrenees between the Pic d'Anie and Col de Puymorens, there are the highest peaks exceeding the 3 000 m as'Aneto (highest peak in the Pyrenees with its 3 404 m) where the Vineyard (highest peak on the French side with 3 298 m).
- The Eastern Pyrenees from the Col de Puymorens to the Mediterranean, include peaks such as the Canigou (2 784 m) and the Carlit (2 921 m), as well as large natural massifs such as Corbieres and the Albères.
Geology
The chain is both young and old according to the geological time scale: young because the uplift of the relief occurred 40 million years ago, at the same time as the Alps, during the Tertiary era; ancient because the rocks and raised materials were not formed at that time but much earlier: they pre-existed in the chain, during the secondary and primary eras, or even before.
Sediments from the genesis of the Pyrenees were deposited in coastal basins during the Paleozoic (primary era) and Mesozoic (secondary era). The continental collision was progressive from east to west: the tightening and uplift of the earth's crust began to affect the eastern part to gradually extend to the entire chain, uplift and deformation culminating in the Eocene, at the beginning of the Cenozoic. (tertiary era).
In the Pleistocene, glacial erosion shaped the U-shaped glacial cirques and valleys common on the northern slope, just as it was responsible for the creation of fluvio-glacial plateaus north of the chain (such as the Lannemezan) by the accumulation of alluvial gravel and clay transported by rivers.
Geological curiosities:
- The valley or fall of the Cerdanya : collapse ditch located in the east of the massif.
- The Roland's Breach : natural gap of 40 m wide and 100 m high opening into the cliffs above the Cirque de Gavarnie.
- The mallos like the Mallos of Riglos : conical walls (from 300 m high in the case of those of Riglos), formed by the folding and then the erosion of soft sedimentary rocks.
Landscapes
The Pyrenean landscapes are characterized by the absence of large lakes and the large number of mountain torrents forming spectacular waterfalls. The highest of them is formed by the Gave de Pau in the circus of Gavarnie. There are also several other circuses such as the Troumouse circus, the Litor circus or Marcadau circus.
Story
Climate and vegetation
To go
Circulate
Cities
France
Spain
Andorra
- 6 Andorra la Vella
- 7 Pas de la Case – Nestled at the bottom of the Ariège valley more than 2 000 m altitude, this huge group of duty-free shops forms a real high-altitude town. Pas de la Casa is located at the foot of the largest ski area in the Pyrenees: Grandvalira. This is a place to avoid if you are looking for unspoiled and unspoiled nature.
Other destinations
Parks and reserves
- Pyrenees national park
- Regional Natural Park of the Ariège Pyrenees
- Regional Natural Park of the Catalan Pyrenees
- Orlu National Wildlife Area
Main massifs
- 1 Maladeta – Pic of Aneto at 3 404 m and highest peak in the Pyrenees.
- 2 Mont-Perdu –
Pic du Mont-Perdu at 3 355 m. - 3 Vineyard – Pic du Vignemale at 3 298 m.
- 4 Neouvielle – Long Peak at 3 192 m.
- 5 Montcalm – Pique d'Estats at 3 143 m.
- 6 Canigou –
Pic du Canigou at 2 786 m.
Hiking routes
Three major hiking routes cross the Pyrenees from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea.
- GR 10 – Located on the French side, it is the most famous of the three, it connects Hendaye To Banyuls on 870 km, divided into around forty stages in total, it is practicable from mid-June to the end of October.
- GR 11 – On the Spanish side, this trail is just as spectacular and rich as the GR 10, it joins Cap Higuer to Cap de Creus, also divided into around 40 stages, generally less snow-covered because it is located on the southern slope of the Pyrenees. .
- High Pyrenean route (HRP) – high mountain route which comes as close as possible to the ridge lines, it follows an unmarked route reserved for experienced hikers, passing alternately through the French, Spanish and Andorran slopes, made up of 43 stages with possible variations. It requires greater organization because supplies in the valleys are much rarer.
Valleys
- 7 Cerdanya
- 8 Val d'Aran
- 9 Louron Valley
- 10 Vicdessos
Ski stations
The Pyrenees range has nearly 70 winter sports resorts. The largest domain is that of Grand Valira in Andorra with 210 km of tracks. We can also cite the Tourmalet area (Hautes-Pyrenees), Saint-Lary-Soulan (Hautes-Pyrénées), Peyragudes (Hautes-Pyrénées), Ax 3 Domains (Ariège), Font-Romeu Pyrenees 2000 (Eastern Pyrenees) and Angles (Pyrénées-Orientales) in France. As well as La Molina (Catalonia) and Aramon Formigal (Aragon) in Spain. Apart from these large areas, the other ski resorts are small family resorts and inexpensive, but their snow cover is sometimes uncertain. The department of Hautes-Pyrenees and the regions ofAragon and of Catalonia have a large number of these stations.
To buy
Eat
Regional specialties
- Cheese from Bethmale
Housing
Spa hotels and residences
There are more than 30 spa resorts in the Pyrenees. The reception of curists is in large hotels built mostly in the 19th centurye century.
Mountain huts
There are 45 shelters guarded in the massif, they allow to spend a night in altitude to make a stage on a route or before the ascent of a summit. The guarding period generally begins in May or June and ends in September or October, some remain open all year round, in any case each refuge has a few places to sleep during the winter. Their altitude (usually between 1,500 and 2,500 meters) makes it possible to make the most of the mountain in a comfort (shower, toilet, hot meal, mattress ...) incomparable to that of the bivouac. There are more shelters on the French side. The prices are variable but you have to count between 30 € and 40 € for half-board (meal, overnight stay and breakfast).
Campsites
A large number of Pyrenean municipalities have a campsite, these are often located on the banks of rivers. There are all kinds of them, from the most basic to campsites with swimming pools, tennis courts, activities, etc. In summer, prefer campsites located at a higher altitude, in fact the heat in the valleys can become very important during the day.