Pyrenees Sunflower Walking Guide

Since 1983 people out walking in sunny climes have been relying on our ‘little blue books’ to follow the trails – and to make friends with other walkers. Sunflower started by exploring the Atlantic Islands, but has branched out: we still love islands – from the Azores to Zakynthos – but we cover many mainland destinations too, like land-locked Switzerland and the coastal Basque Country. All our guides have the familiar mix of car tours, walks and picnics. More recently, we introduced restaurants and recipes in our ‘Walk & Eat’ series, which explores around cities from Stockholm to Avignon.

• Preface 5Pyrenees — the people 6Acknowledgements; Books 6Getting about 7Picnicking 8Touring 10Car tour 1: THE ALBERES 12Car tour 2: INTO THE MOUNTAINS 14Car tour 3: TO THE CADI 16Car tour 4: THE PLATEAU OF THE CATHARS 18Car tour 5: DEEP VALLEYS, HIGH PEAKS, PAINTED CAVES 21Car tour 6: PARC NACIONAL D’AIGUES TORTES 23Car tour 7: ‘GROTTES’ AND GARGOYLES 25Car tour 8: MARVELS AND MIRACLES 27Car tour 9: GRAND CANYONS TOUR 29Car tour 10: THE VALLEY OF THE BEAR 31Car tour 11: LIMESTONE AND LEGENDS 33Car tour 12: INTO THE BASQUE COUNTRY 35Country code for walkers and motorists 37Walking 38Weather 38Transport 39Clothing and equipment 39Food and water 40Waymarking, maps and grading of the walks 40Safety and guides 41Organisation of the walks 42Overnight accommodation 43Language hints 43WALKS IN THE EASTERN PYRENEES1 From Vilajuïga to Llançà 452 From Cadaqués to Roses 483 From Collioure to Banyuls-sur-Mer 514 Circuit in the Garrotxa, ad Santa Pau 555 Sant Aniol d’Aguja 586 Alta Garrotxa and Santa Bàrbara de Pruneres 617 A Canigou canter 638 Carança cliffhager 659 From Núria to Queralbs 6810 Pedraforca 71WALKS IN THE CENTRAL PYRENEES11 Egolasters and the Madriu Valley 7412 Mourgouillou Valley and the lakes 7713 Gorgeous Gorges de la Frau 8014 Among the lakes 8215 Circuit aroud Lake Artax (Artats) 8416 Crête des Isards 8617 Parc Nacional d’Aigüestortes 8818 A taste of the Baronnies 9019 The roof of the Pyrenees 9320 Cirque de Gavarnie 9521 Russell’s Caves 9822 Brèche de Roland 10023 Circuit from the Pont d’Espagna via the Vallée du Marcadau and Lac du Pourtet 10324 Valle de Piñeta and Punta del Valle 10625 The Añisclo Canyon 10926 Ordesa — the grand canyon walk 11127 Pic d’Anie 115WALKS IN THE WESTERN PYRENEES28 The song of Roland (Mt Astobizkar) 11829 Roncesvalles 12030 Iparla Ridge 12231 Circuit based on Biriatou 12532 Xoldokogaina (Choldokogagna) 12933 Col d’Ibardin 13134 Peñas de Aia (Aiako Harria) 132Index of place names 135Fold-out Pyrenees map inside back cover

Select Guide Rating