Walking Tours in france
The Meridian Way
A fascinating trip following the Meridian Way, a route that closely follows the International Greenwich Meridian through the French département of the Hautes Pyrénées. Starting in the attractive foothills the route builds up to a climax at Gavarnie in the heart of the mountains with a visit to the dramatic Cirque de Gavarnie, a World Heritage site. Some of the route follows part of the famous long distance trail GR10, a 700 kms route from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean.
When the Greenwich Meridian was agreed upon as the international standard in 1884 the fact that it passed through some of the most impressive scenery in the French Pyrénées was probably not a major consideration. However the new Meridian Way allows us to explore this spectacular area. Our trip starts at the famous pilgrimage town of Lourdes from where we take a funicular railway to the summit of the Pic du Jer (890 m) where there are excellent views looking back over the town. From the summit we follow a network of paths and tracks above the east side of the main river, the Gave du Pau, before dropping down to the attractive spa town of Argelès-Gazost for the second night. The following day we climb old shepherds' tracks to the picturesque village of St Savin where there is a 12th Century abbey church. We continue along the valley side before dropping down to Pierrefitte Nestalas where a bus ride takes us up through the narrow gorge to Luz St. Sauveur with time to visit the town and fortified "Templar" church. Two nights are spent here giving the option of a rest day and time to visit the local spa facilities or take a short bus ride to the village of Barèges for a delightful walk down the Bastan valley back to Luz St. Sauveur mainly following the GR10. The next day we again follow the GR10 to Gèdre, a small village in a magnificent location with soaring mountains on three sides. Heading south from Gèdre we approach Gavarnie via footpaths crossing high summer pastures before descending into the village. Two nights at Gavarnie give time for a visit to the Cirque de Gavarnie, a natural amphitheatre some 1400 metres from top to bottom, and the Grande Cascade with a 423 metre drop – the longest in Europe. Local transport can be arranged to the Col des Tentes for the fitter to visit the famous Brêche de Roland (2807 m) a 100 metre by 40 metre "doorway" into Spain and then walk down to the Cirque de Gavarnie
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