More about the route
The walks follow good footpaths and the terrain is varied and often rocky. The route is marked in most places, but there may be challenges in some places where you will have to follow the material we give you. To go on this trip we recommend that you are in good shape and have experience of hiking in the mountains.
Itinerary
Here you can see the programme for the week.
You arrive at your first accommodation in Luchon. Depending on when you arrive, you may wish to visit the thermal baths or go on one of the two extra walks, which you can choose from in the material provided.
Hotel (example): Hotel des 2 Nations
You'll start your first day of walking on the GR10 from Luchon to Aulus le Bains with a transfer to Artigue. From here you cross the high Col de la Peyrahitta (1947m). Immediately after the pass, you can climb the Pic de Bacanère (2193m) if you wish. This variation is not part of the GR10, but joins the route at Lake Dessus. Once you have crossed the ridge of the Cigalères (2093m), you pass one mountain hut after another before finally arriving at the village of Fos (544m).
Hotel (example): Ecogite la Grange
The day starts again with a short transfer. This time to Labach de Melles. From here, the GR10 route climbs to an altitude of 980 m until you reach the foot of the Ariège mountains. From the Col d'Auéran mountain pass, the GR10 continues to Etang d'Araing, where you can enjoy the wide open spaces and views for which the area is famous. If the weather is good, you can climb Crabère (2629moh) and enjoy the stunning views from the top to the Maladeta massif.
Note: Tonight you will stay in a mountain hut to which luggage cannot be taken. Therefore you will have to pack bed/sleeping bag, toiletries, change of clothes etc. and carry it on the hike today. You will only be contacted about your luggage after the hike tomorrow.
Hotel (example): Refuge
This stage connects Etang d'Araing with Eylie d'en Haut. The route crosses the first part of the Ariége mountains through a series of small mountain villages - where you must remember to enjoy the special atmosphere and architecture. Today's stage is very short, but it is possible to extend the route and climb Pic de l'Har (2424moh), where there is a great viewpoint to some of the highest mountains in the Couserans region.
Hotel (example): Gite d'Eylie
Today it's time for a wonderful hike in the heart of the Couserans region in Ariège-Pyrenees. You'll walk along good paths through small villages while enjoying the beautiful views.
Hotel (example): Maison du Valier
The day starts with a short transfer to Bouche. Today's hike alternates between high mountains and the hills of the Couserans region. There is a wealth of colour and an exceptionally beautiful landscape. You reach the Etang de Bathmale, set in a lush green oasis, and from Port de la Core (1395moh) there is a fine view of the Mont Valier nature reserve. Not forgetting the small cosy villages you pass through, where it feels like time stands still.
Hotel (example): Gite la Colline Verte
The day starts with a short transfer to St Lizier d'Ustou. Your last hike on the fifth section of the GR10 takes you to the spa town of Aulus les Bains, where the tour ends. If you wish, we can arrange a transfer to the train station at St Girons.
The tour is now over and you will leave the last hotel of the tour during the morning.
Pictures from the trip
Prices and dates
Price includes
- 1 night in mountain hut in dormitory (day 3)
- 4 nights in hostels in dormitory (day 2, 4, 5 and 6 - can be upgraded: see practical info below)
- 1 night in 2-star hotel (day 1)
- Breakfast every day
- Dinner every day
- Carefully elaborated route descriptions maps and other materials
- Transfers as described in the programme
- 24-hour local and international service hotline for the duration of the tour
- This is a packaged holiday and is therefore covered by The Travel Guarantee Fund - See which benefits this means for you - click here
- Accommodation upgrade (see more below)
- Transportation to/from France
- Drinks with meals
- Handling fee (€20)
Practical information
The price is based upon two people sharing. For safety reasons, this tour cannot be booked for solo travellers. There must be min. be two participants.
On this tour you will be on your own supplied with maps, route descriptions and luggage transfers. That means that your time is your own and you have plenty of time to enjoy the stages in your own pace.
Check the price quickly
You can quickly check the price of your desired trip without having to fill in anything. Here's how:
- Choose your desired start date
- Click on the green button "See price and reserve your holiday" and go to the booking form
- Select number of people, add any optional extras and see the price at the bottom of the page (you don't have to fill in anything on the form).
Get a quote
For example, if you want a flight included or changes to the trip, you can order a quote for this using the "Get a quote" button. Remember to describe in detail what, if anything, you want changed.
The process of your booking
When you book, we will start booking hotels and arranging all the practical details of the trip. This process typically takes 2-5 working days, but some bookings may take longer. If you are arranging your own transport, we recommend that you wait until we have confirmed your booking before arranging this.
Dates
If you can select the date in the tour calendar at the top of this page, this is a possible start date. We continually update the tours with sold-out dates, after which those dates will turn red and cannot be selected.
The flights to/from Biarritz or Toulouse in France are not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.
Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flights.
It works like this:
- You book your chosen holiday with us
- We confirm your holiday (usually within 5-8 business days)
- You arrange your transportation
Getting there
Here is a link for the perfect tool which will help you get an overview of how to get to the starting point of the tour: Rome2Rio
From the airport to Luchon
Getting from the airport to Luchon is easy. Get an overview of the options here:
From Toulouse: Rome2Rio
From Biarritz: Rome2Rio
Return from Aulus les Bains to Luchon
If you need to return to Luchon after the tour, we can arrange a transfer for you. This can be added upon booking.
Return from Aulus les Bains to the airport
Here's how to get from Aulus les Bains to the airport:
On this trip you will stay as follows:
- 1 night in mountain hut in dormitory (day 3)
- 5 nights in hostel in dormitory (days 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6)
- 1 nights in hotel (day 7)
If you wish to upgrade to the Comfort version of the tour, you will stay as follows:
COMFORT
- 2 nights in a 2-star hotel (days 1 and 7)
- 3 nights in a hostel in private rooms with shared bath/toilet (days 2, 5 and 6)
- 1 night in hostel in dormitory (day 4)
- 1 night in mountain hut in dormitory (day 3)
Note: Sleeping in dormitory is included in both versions of the tour and therefore it is necessary to bring a sheet/sleeping bag on the tour. You will be provided with blankets at all accommodations, so sheet bag will be sufficient.
On this trip, breakfast and dinner are included throughout the trip.
Included meals
Breakfast is standard "continental breakfast" with tea, coffee, milk, bread, butter, jam etc.
Evening meals consist of 3-course menus with starter, main course and dessert.
Please note that drinks for the evening meals are not included in the price.
Lunch
Lunch is not included but can be purchased at the accommodation. It will typically be in the form of a picnic lunch that you take with you on the tour.
Luggage transfer is included on days 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7. The way it works is that on arrival at the first hotel you will receive your luggage tag in the welcome pack. You fill in the luggage tags and put them on your bag, where it will stay for the whole trip.
The luggage is collected around 9am each morning and arrives at the next hotel by 6pm (usually well before). If there are any special exceptions to the luggage transfer, you will be informed of this on arrival.
One bag can be transported per guest and bags must not weigh more than 20kg.
IMPORTANT / NOTE: On this trip there is one day when luggage cannot be transported and therefore on that day you will need to pack and carry all necessary equipment on the hike (including a bed or sleeping bag). This is day 3, when you will have to carry necessities for the nights, as you will be without your luggage that night.
On this tour, you will receive the following documents:
Upon booking
Immediately after booking this trip, you'll recieve a pre-booking-email where you can get a complete overview of your booking. Once the tour is confirmed you get a confirmation email from us along with practical information about the tour.
One month before departure
You will receive a hotel list and final travel documents.
Upon arrival at the first hotel
You'll receive the welcome pack, which contains everything you need for the trip. There will be route descriptions, maps, luggage tags and specific local vouchers. The documents are in English.
Notice: On some tours it is necessary to either print the documents yourself or to bring them electronically.
This trip has a difficulty level of 3-4, which means that most hiking days on the tour are level 3 and a few are level 4.
Grade 3
Hiking in mountainous terrain with longer ascents and descents. You will hike 5-7 hours a day. Requires generally good fitness and health, but no special technical skills or prior experience. Requires good shoes, such as trekking or mountain boots.
Grade 4
Demanding hiking with daily marches of 6-8 hours, often in difficult terrain at higher altitudes. There can be longer ascents of up to 1,000 meters. Requires good physical condition, endurance, and knees and ankles capable of enduring prolonged descents. You need to be in good health and preferably have hiking experience. Requires good hiking boots and regular outdoor clothing. There can be significant temperature differences.
Read more about our grading system here.
Here you can get an overview of the entire route and the elevation profile for each day. The data shows the data from the GPX-files related to the tour. Notice that the routes are sometimes updated, which means that there might be small variations.
Colors
Blue routes: The route as normal
Red routes: Variations/options (such as shortened or extended routes)
After booking this trip, you get access to various discount schemes.
We recommend taking out travel insurance that covers at least illness, accident, repatriation, lost holiday, luggage and liability. As a customer, you are responsible for taking out the necessary travel insurance to cover these costs.
Before taking out insurance, you should check whether you are already covered by travel or cancellation insurance through your home insurance company, credit card or similar - please note that there may be differences in insurance coverage.
Here is no text
"We look forward to making your holiday dreams come true"