Walking and Climbing

Thinking of doing a week or so on the GR10 late Sept. Anybody got any advice that might help with the planning: the better sections to hit? likely weather? camping or huts? good web sites to check out? etc.

ta muchly

Hi,I hesitated to post here, thinking you'd get lots of useful replies, but apparently not...

Not sure I can be of any help on the GR10 directly - I've encountered bits of it but never planned to follow any of it. But I have spent about 6 weeks in the Pyrenees in total and I'm just sorting myself a week there in mid September, making up my own thing but probably picking some bits from HRP and/or GR11.

My trips have taken me to the Marcadau valley, through to Gavarnie, Ordesa, Nouvielle, and from Luchon over to Maladeta, so if you want any impressions of those areas I can oblige. I always backpack - it's such a great area for it, I like the freedom, and I've heard that some of the huts are a bit basic (but maybe I've been spoiled - I've only ever used huts in the dolomites which are by all accounts pretty plush).

Weather is a mixed bag - I've had far more hot and sunny (plus afternoon thunderstorms) than anything else, but it can be wet and grey too. I've never been later than the first week in Sptember before either. Plan for typical British conditions but with hope of good sunshine.

Can you give any more clues what you're looking to do? I'll be glad to share any knowledge I have if it helps, so post back or else email me if you'd rather follow up off-forum.

Lonely Planets 'Walking in Spain' guide has a small amount on the the GR10 but a lot of useful info on general walking in Spain, plus some useful walking related phrases, like 'Can I pitch my tent here?'.

I recomends the following as useful websites for GR10 area:

www.sierranorte.com
www.deportalmadrid.com/montana.html

You might also find www.fedme.es of some use.
sorry couldn't figure out how to do hyperlinks.

Darren, the GR10 will be fine in September as will the HIgh Route, which I have to admit to preferring!

The GR10 is no soft option - at least with the High Route once you're up there your up!

You could mix the GR10 with some other walks and routes. Get hold of Kev Reynolds' new Pyrenean guide book which is about as comprehensive as you can get. In the field, his Walks and Climbs in the Pyrenees will give you all the options you need to customise a walk.

The GR10 tends to start and finish in towns and villages. IN September you shouldn't have any problems finding accommodation. A lot of the Gites d'Etapes are very good and will be far from full. There are very good campsites along the route as well as there are good and reasonable hotels.

If walking the GR10 make sure that you spend some time in Lescun and that area. Walking over to the Macardau and Cauterets makes for a good holiday. But walking from Lescun to Cauterets via. the High Route is even better! You can rely on refuges (huts) or camp in some truly wonderful wild places.

Give me an email if you want to discuss this some more:

andy.howell@ecotrend.org.uk

My Pyreneean photos on Flickr my wet your appetite!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/andy-howell/sets/212445/

Guys, thanks for the advice - I somehow managed to miss them when first posted!!.

I'm off to the area in the next couple of weeks for a family holiday so will do a bit of scouting around (as I'll have the car!) and plan the trip when I'm back. At which point I'll probably take you up on your offers of help.

Thanks again.

The Encantados area is excellent and could occupy a week on its own. Pyrenees in September can be hot - 28 Celsius when I was there.