About the Book
This guide is an introduction to one of Europe's finest mountain ranges. It offers suggestions for 170 walks, multi-day tours and moderate ascents of some of the principal summits of the Central or High Pyrenees, and includes the Pyrenean High Route between the Cirque de Lescun and Andorra - one of the most challenging and rewarding mountain treks of all. The active walker, trekker and climber is spoilt for choice, for there is enough scope in the Pyrenees to fill a lifetime of holidays with a host of experiences, no matter what your degree of commitment. There are exquisite valleys and passes to wander day after day, and summits of 3000 metres and more within the reach of most hill walkers. The landscape is full of diversity and contrast, with Alpine-style peaks, small glaciers, deep gorges and more than a thousand mountain lakes. The range is also know as the 'flower garden of Europe', and the wildlife includes curious species rarely seen elsewhere on the continent.
Since the first edition appeared in 1978, "Walks and Climbs in the Pyrenees" has become accepted as the authoritative guide to the range, and this new edition incorporates many changes and additions to reflect the boom in interest in the area. The Pyrenees have become the focus of attention not just for walkers and climbers, but parapente enthusiasts, mountain bikers, white-water kayakers, bird-watchers, butterfly and flower lovers, cavers and those who gain a thrill from descending plunging waterfalls and seemingly inaccessible canyons - the sport known as canyoning. As an arena for outdoor adventure the Pyrenees fulfils so many dreams.
Table of Contents:
PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION INTRODUCTION NATIONAL PARKS MOUNTAINS, FLOWERS & ANIMALS PIONEERS NOTES FOR WALKERS & CLIMBERS LONG ROUTES FOR WALKERS MOUNTAIN HUTS & GITES D'ETAPE EMERGENCY SERVICES GETTING THERE USING THE GUIDE ASPE VALLEY & CIRQUE DE LESCUN Cette-Eygun, Etsaut, Lescun Refuge de Laberouat, Refuge d'Arlet, Refuge de Larry PIC DU MIDI D'OSSAU Laruns, Gabas Refuge de Bious-Artigues, Refuge d'Ayous, Refuge de Pombie BALAITOUS Refuge d'Arremoulit, Refuge de Larribet, Refuge Ledormeur, Refuge Migouelou, Refugio de Penalara GOURETTE & THE EAUX-BONNES MASSIF Laruns, Eaux-Bonnes, Gourette Refuge de Gourette, Chalet-Refuge Gourette, Chalet des Oeuvres Laiques VALLEE D'ESTAING Arrens, Lac d'Estaing Refuge Raymond Ritter (Refuge d'Ilheou) VALLEE DU MARCADAU Cauterets, Chalet du Clot, Refuge Wallon VIGNEMALE Cauterets, Gavarnie Refuge des Oulettes de Gaube, Refuge de Bayssellance VALLEE DE LUTOUR Cauterets Cabane de Pouey Caut, Refuge Russell, Refuge d'Estom GAVARNIE Grange de Holle, Refuge des Espuguettes, Refuge de la Breche ORDESA NATIONAL PARK Torla, Refugio de Goriz BARROUDE Refuge de Barroude NEOUVIELLE Bareges, St-Lary Chalet-Hotel de la Glere, Refuge Packe, Cabane du Rabiet Cabane dets Coubous, Cabane d'Aygues-Cluses Refuge Campana de Cloutou, Refuge du Bastanet Chalet-Hotel de l'Oule, Chalet-Hotel d'Oredon 1 POSETS Benasque, Eriste Refugio Angel Orus, Refugio Clot de Chil, Refugio de Viados Refugio de Estos MALADETA Benasque Refugio de la Renclusa, Refugio Forestal del Puente de Coronas ENCANTADOS WEST - BESIBERRI MASSIF Arties, Salardu, Bohi Refugi d'Estany Llong, Refugi Ventosa i Calvell Refugi de Besiberri, Refugi de la Restanca, Refugi de Colomers ENCANTADOS - SANT MAURICI Espot Refugi J.M.Blanc, Refugi de Colomina, Refugi E Mallafre Refugi d'Amitges, Refugi de Saboredo ESTATS - MONTCALM Refugi de Certascan, Refugi de Vall Ferrera ANDORRA Refugi de Coma Pedrosa CARLIT MASSIF Ax-les-Thermes, Porte-Puymorens Refuge d'En Beys, Chalet-Refuge des Bouillouses THE PYRENEAN HIGH ROUTE HIGH ROUTE SECTION ONE: LESCUN TO GAVARNIE HIGH ROUTE SECTION TWO: GAVARNIE TO MALADETA HIGH ROUTE SECTION THREE: MALADETA TO ANDORRA APPENDIX A: Useful Addresses APPENDIX B: Maps & Continental Guides BIBLIOGRAPHY
About the Author :
A lifelong passion for the countryside in general, and mountains in particular, drives Kev's desire to share his sense of wonder and delight in the natural world through his writing, guiding, photography and lecturing. Spending several months each year among various high mountain regions researching guidebooks, makes him The Man with the World's Best Job; a title he aims to keep by remaining active for another 100 years at least. Kev has enjoyed a fruitful partnership with Cicerone since the 1970s, producing walking and trekking guides to the Pyrenees, Alps and Himalaya, as well as walking guides for Kent, Sussex and the Cotswolds and he has several more books in the pipeline. A frequent contributor to outdoor magazines, he also writes and illustrates brochures for national tourist authorities and travel companies. When not away in the mountains, Kev lives with his wife in a small cottage among what he calls 'the Kentish Alps' with unrestricted walking country on the doorstep. But he also travels throughout Britain during the winter months to share his love of the places he writes about through a series of lectures. Check him out on www.kevreynolds.co.uk
