Explore the High Pyrenees and discover one of Europe's great mountain ranges, stretching 400km along the border of France and Spain from the Cirque de Lescun on the edge of the Basque country in the west to the Carlit massif and the Cerdagne to the east of Andorra. Wild, vast, and endlessly varied, the Pyrenees offer a lifetime of walking, trekking, climbing, and winter adventure across some of the most spectacular and unspoilt mountain terrain in Europe.

Written by celebrated Pyrenees author Kev Reynolds, this large-format Cicerone guide is the definitive planning companion for anyone drawn to the High Pyrenees. Covering the full breadth of the range valley by valley, it directs the reader to the finest walks, treks, and climbs in each area and provides everything needed to plan a Pyrenean adventure at any level of ambition.

• Explore the full sweep of the High Pyrenees across five regional chapters, from the Western Valleys and the spectacular Cirques and Canyons of Gavarnie and Ordesa to the Central Pyrenees, the Enchanted Mountains of the Couserans and Vall d'Aran, and the Eastern High Pyrenees, including Andorra and the Carlit massif.
• Plan walks, treks, and climbs across every level of difficulty and commitment, from gentle valley walks and multi-day treks on the GR10, GR11, and Pyrenean Haute Route to serious alpine climbs on the high peaks of the range.
• Discover the Pyrenees valley by valley, with each section covering access, accommodation, recommended maps, and the finest routes and activities available, giving you a complete picture of what each part of the range has to offer.
• Benefit from an extensive introduction covering the history and exploration of the Pyrenees, its geology, wildlife, flora, and culture, alongside all the practical advice needed to plan a successful and rewarding mountain trip.
• Plan year-round adventures in the Pyrenees, with the guide covering not just summer walking and trekking but also winter climbs and ski tours, making it a truly comprehensive resource for every season and activity.
• Use the detailed map guidance to navigate the wide range of French IGN, Spanish Editorial Alpina, and other mapping available for the High Pyrenees, ensuring you have the right maps for every area and activity.

An essential addition to the shelf of anyone who loves or dreams of the Pyrenees, this is the book to reach for when planning your next adventure in one of Europe's greatest mountain ranges. Let Kev Reynolds be your guide to the High Pyrenees.

The Pyrenees – Quick Facts

Guide name: The Pyrenees: The High Pyrenees from the Cirque de Lescun to the Carlit Massif
Location: France and Spain – the High Pyrenees, from the Cirque de Lescun in the west to the Carlit massif and Cerdagne in the east; including Andorra
Coverage: 400km of the High Pyrenees described valley by valley across five regional chapters
Type of book: Mountain range resource and planning guide; not a conventional route guide but a comprehensive reference work directing readers to the finest walks, treks, and climbs in each area
Activities covered: Walking, trekking, climbing, winter climbs, and ski touring
Difficulty: Every level, from easy valley walks to serious alpine ascents; something for everyone
Regional chapters: The Western Valleys; Cirques and Canyons; The Central Pyrenees; Enchanted Mountains; Andorra and the Eastern High Pyrenees
Key highlights: Cirque de Lescun, Cirque de Gavarnie, Ordesa Canyon, Pineta Canyon, Vall d'Aran, Carlit massif, Andorra
Key centres: All major valleys and bases across the High Pyrenees covered, including access, accommodation, and recommended maps for each area
Navigation/mapping: Comprehensive guidance on French IGN, Spanish Editorial Alpina, and other map series covering the full range
Best time to go: Year-round; summer for walking and trekking; winter for ski touring and winter climbs
Companion titles: Walks and Climbs in the Pyrenees, The Pyrenean Haute Route, Trekking the GR10, Trekking the GR11 Trail, Shorter Treks in the Pyrenees (all available from Cicerone)

Author Highlight

“Comparison with other ranges is tempting but unwise; the mountains and valleys of the Pyrenees are uniquely Pyrenean. This uniqueness is perhaps best expressed in the way in which one can so easily experience a sense of remoteness and appreciate real solitude, if sought. The range has its tourist hot-spots, of course. There are popular valleys, notorious climbs, famed viewpoints. But the Pyrenees also have more than their fair share of secluded glens, remote and rarely trod peaks and corners of true wilderness.”

- Kev Reynolds, author of The Pyrenees

CHAPTER 2: Cirques and Canyons
2:1 Vallée du Gave de Pau
2:2 Vallée d’Estaing
2:3 Vallée d’Arrens
2:4 Vallée de Cauterets
2:5 Vallée du Marcadau
2:6 Vallée de Gaube
2:7 Vallée de Lutour
2:8 Vallée de Bastan
2:9 In and around the Néouvielle reserve
2:10 Vallée de Héas
2:11 Cirque de Gavarnie
2:12 Valle del Ara
2:13 Valle de Ordesa
2:14 Valle de Añisclo
2:15 Valle de Tella
2:16 Valle de Pineta
2:17 Valle de Barrosa
Access, Bases, Maps and Guides

CHAPTER 3: The Central Pyrenees
3:1 Vallée d’Aure
3:2 Vallée du Louron
3:3 Vallée d’Oô
3:4 Vallée de la Pique
3:5 Valle de Gistaín
3:6 Valle del Ésera
3:7 Valle de Eriste
3:8 Valle de Estós
3:9 Vallhiverna
3:10 Upper Ésera
Access, Bases, Maps and Guides

CHAPTER 4: Enchanted Mountains
4:1 Pays de Couserans
4:2 Vallée du Biros
4:3 Vallée de Bethmale
4:4 Upper Vallée du Salat
4:5 Vallée d’Ustou
4:6 Vallée du Garbet
4:7 Vall d’Aran
4:8 Vall Noguera Ribagorçana
4:9 Vall de Boí
4:10 Vall Fosca
4:11 Vall d’Espot
4:12 Vall d’Àneu
4:13 Vall de Cardós
4:14 Vall Ferrera
Access, Bases, Maps and Guides

CHAPTER 5: Andorra and the Eastern High Pyrenees
5:1 Vallée du Vicdessos
5:2 Haute Vallée de l’Ariège
5:3 Andorra
5:4 Vallée d’Orlu
5:5 The Carlit Massif
5:6 The Cerdagne
5:7 Vall de Núria
Access, Bases, Maps and Guides

Seasons

Describes year-round activities - walking, trekking, climbing plus winter climbs, ski tours.

Centres

Outlines all the valleys and possible centres for exploring the High Pyrennes. If it's not here, it's not there (umm)...

Difficulty

Not a pure routes book, this Mountain Range Guide includes every mountain activity at every possible level. Something for everyone - a true compendium.

Must See

Cirque de Lescun, Cirque de Gavarnie, Ordesa Canyon, Pineta Canyon... and these only scratch the surface of the opportunities in the Pyrenees

IGN TOP 25 1:25,000. Sheets: 1547OT, 1647OT, 1748OT, 1748ET, 1847OT, 1848OT, 1947OT, 2047OT, 2048OT, 2047ET, 2148OT, 2148ET, 2249OT, 2249ET, 2250ET

Carte de Randonnées 1:50,000. Sheets: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Editorial Alpina: Anso-Echo 1:40,000; Candanchu Canfranc, Pena Telera, Sierra de Tendenera and Penticosa Formigal - each at 1;25,000

Editorial Alpina: Vignemale Bujaruelo, 1:30,000, and Ordesa y Monte Perdido, 1:40,000

Editorial Pirineo: Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park at 1:40,000

Editorial Alpina: Bachimala, Cotiella, Posets, Maladeta Aneto, El Turbon and La Ribagorca all at 1:25,000

Editorial Alpina: Val d’Aran 1:40,000, La Ribagorca 1:25,000, Pont de Suert 1:40,000, Vall de Boi 1:25,000, Montsent de Pallars 1:25,000, Sant Maurici 1:25,000, Montgarri Mont Valier 1:25,000, Pica de Estats 1:40,000

M.I. Govern: Andorra 1:50,000 and 1:25,000

Editorial Alpina: Cerdanya at 1:50,000 and Serra del Cadi/Pedraforca at 1:25,000

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