Created in 1963, the GR 10 is a French GR footpath, or hiking trail, that runs the length of the Pyrenees Mountains. It roughly parallels the French-Spanish border on the French side. The entire trail stretches from Hendaye on the Atlantic Ocean to Banyuls-sur-Mer on the Mediterranean Sea. (The Spanish GR 11 is a similar route on the Spanish side of the border, while the « Haute Randonnée Pyrénéenne » (HRP) follows a generally higher route through the Pyrenees, from mountaintop to mountaintop, frequently crossing the border).

Hiking the entire route is estimated to take around 2 months for hikers who are in good shape. The trail covers a distance of 866 kilometres, with 48,000 metres of ascent!

In June 2001, we hiked along the central part of the GR10, namely from Arrens to Bagnères de Luchon, with a complete week based in the Gavarnie mountain refuge from which we carried out day’s hiking into all directions.

Week 1 

The first days were awful, it seemed we would never make it! Our training on the flat trails in the Paris area was definitely insufficient!

Priority is to the left…

Are you sure we have to climb this?

It’s so simple, just follow the trail!

Pavot de Californie

It’s not the top yet, still, we did a good job!

Ilheou mountain refuge, the welcome! Hi Suk is watching a « gypaete » (bearded vulture) by the glacier lake

Watching trouts…

At the foot of Vignemale the beautiful, a climber’s dream (or nightmare?). Its top reaches 3300 m.

Gentiane

A marmot following Hi Suk

Fed up with rain Today. It’s been a non stop rain since morning!

Pont d’Espagne, the ill-named as it is well located in France!

Above a sea of clouds

Rhododendron

Near the pass, it’s getting pretty cold!

Week 2

From the Gavarnie cirque mountain refuge, which became our base for a while, we hiked around for many days, enjoying fabulous landscapes and a gorgeous weather. We also entered Spain through the famous « breche de Roland ».

In « The Song of Roland » poem, Count Roland, Charlemagne’s nephew, attempts to destroy his sword « Durendal » to prevent it from being captured by the ambushing Saracens and creates « La Brèche de Roland » in the Pyrenees in the process. But Durendal proves indestructible, so he hurls it into a poisoned stream instead. Local folklore claims Durendal still exists, preserved in Rocamadour, France.

A half day trek to Gavarnie cirque, without a backpack, is just great!

On the way to Gavarnie cirque waterfall

The pyramidal « Pain de sucre » (sugar loaf), much bigger than Kheops!

I did it!

Crocus

On the way to « la breche de Roland »

Here’s the so famous « breche de Roland » ! A kind of door between Spain and France on the mountain ridge.

At this stage, no mountain can stop this splendid walking machine!

An eagle paparazzo!

The spanish side of the mountain range is much drier.

Apparently enjoying Spain…

Soldanelle des Carpates

Break time is always welcome!

Landscapes can be breathtaking!

Are you my friends or not? thinks the marmot

In June, you still face snow as soon as you get high enough

Looks like the silk road across Afghanistan!

 Week 3

On the trail again, with difficult legs ahead ; when high altitude and bad weather combine, the trail addicts suffer!

At Mademate pass (2510 m), it’s freezing and bad weather is rushing on us…

On the way down to lac Aumar, the trail requires sometimes acrobatic skills!

The next day, after the snow storm, it was awfully difficult as there was no way the trail could be seen under the snow! After a while, we had to give up and walked along a closed road down to the nearest valley where snow was shallow. But that day was freezing cold and the worst ever. In the afternoon, we knew we couldn’t make the leg, so we gave up and ended up in a hotel to warm up!

Fortunately, the following day was glorious, and the landscapes outstanding…

…so we just walk around to enjoy weather and scenery, and recover from the previous day ordeal.

Week 4

The final week was quiter and more pastoral. In spite of the many difficulties and hardship, our legs were then made out of concrete so that nothing could slow us down. And on top of that, the many lakes dotting the landscapes were shining like jewels, attracting us further and further!

On the trail again, for longer but easier steps

Jean Claude parapenting

Ancolie

At Vielle-Aure, after a very long day…

Espingo lake and refuge chalet :so isolated but so rewarding! Once there, you just don’t want to leave…

At Espingo mountain refuge, in the sun, facing the lake, you enjoy the pleasure of the spirit, of the eyes and of the palate…

First, you think you have found paradise. But you’re wrong, by far! This place is so remote that everything has to be brought in or out by helicopter… So we stopped buying food!

Lys Martagon

J C’s riding a sand worm like a fremen on Dune planet (Dune by Frank Herbert)

Oo the well named! (specially when seen from above)

The view over Oo lake makes you forget how steep the trail is!

For hours, we could enjoy this Oo lake…

On the last leg, we walked down the whole day…

Can you see the trail?

Bye bye Pyrenees!