Some places to go to from Galan

Col de Beyrede and Signal de Basia: A steep climb with magnificent views over whole of Lannemezan plain and Pyrennees. Also flatter wooded walks on forest tracks. Follow D929 towards St Lary. Just after Serrancolin & factory turn right signed to Beyrede-Jumet, then left through village. Serrancolin church is worth a visit. Rock climbing at Haute Pene as well as anywhere and everywhere in these mountains.

 

Col D’Aspin. Next right just before Arreau. You can go over the top and down to St Marie de Campan, then back via Bagneres de Bigorre, (a little faded spa town) and over the top by the fast scenic route, past Escaldieu Abbey and Mauvezin Castle, (Gaston Febus, Black Prince …) to Capvern, Lannemezan and home.

Camous to Ardenghost. Spectacular walk on very old track. Camous is on left between Serrancolin and Arreau.

Loudenvielle. Almost flat walk round lake with some tame water sports. Great for a picnic. Water park and baths at Genos. Turn left in Arreau (pretty town on confluence, museums, and worth a stroll). Can continue over Col de Peyresourde to Bagneres de Luchon (aptly twinned with Harrogate!), Casino, extensive gardens, baths, sports shops and centre for activities.

From there try Superbagneres and ski lift to top, watch hang-gliders; or Gouffre d’ Enfer; Hospice de France and walk in woods or zig-zag climb up towards Port de Venasque with spectacular view and hostel. 2 to 3 days to peaks Aneto (3404m) and Maladeta (3308m).

Or go on into Spain over Col de Portillon to Bosost. Fast route home via Montrejeau.

High HEP SNCF lakes at Neouvielle. D929 past St Lary. Turn right at Fabian. Park on hairpin and short walk to end of Lac d’Oredon or go to car park and bus up to Lac d’Aubert & Lac d’Aumar. (Can drive up but must do it in Summer before 9.30 in morning. You can bivouc up there, but remember to take bread & food for 2 day stay!) Excellent, stunning whole day round walks.

Cirque de Pineta. Go past St Lary through Aragnouet tunnel into Spain. Right turn before Bielsa just after a short tunnel. Drive down Pineta valley. Parador hotel OK for a drink or coffee. Cirque is all around you + huge campsite. Walk up towards waterfalls. Early summer flowers in meadows amazing. Some v. severe climbs (used to harden Spanish army), not for the faint hearted. 5hrs to frozen lake Mabore. Take warm clothes if you want to bivouac. Great approach to Mount Perdu/ Mont Perdido (3355m), crampons essential, can hire in Bagneres de Luchon or St Lary.

Anisclo Canyon. Breathtaking canyon. Continue into Spain past Bielsa and look for a little place called Escalona. The turning to the Anisclo canyon is on the right just before the village. The road becomes a one way route. Park and walk once you see cars parked on the side of the road before the car park, as it is often full and then you will have to park up the hill. Follow the track as far as you wish. Even 20 mins walk will be rewarding. Take a picnic and walk down to one of the many waterfalls. Walk back the same way and drive up the hill looking carefully for signs to the left to Buerba (a bar beckons). There is a new hairy road back to Escalona. The other way is long, potholed and not much fun.

Continue deeper into Spain to Ainsa. Good shaded camping on LHS before Ainsa, (something international with pool and food). In Ainsa town centre, main crossroads, turn right to Old Town Hill Fort. Right turn in a few hundred metres and up the hill to the car park. Pay. Walk through old C18th fort, walls, and museum into much older town. Good restaurants in idyllic locations,

book to ensure a table for 8.00/8.30, go and look around the town, sit in the square with a beer, watch the swallows, eat and drive home in the dark or return to campsite!  Fuel is cheaper in Spain so don’t forget to fill up.

Watersports, canyoning and other crazy activities like hang-gliding & parapenting.

Try place before St Lary on RHS was Sarrat Sport, new name now. Also tourist offices in Lannemezan (near Gendarmerie, new building in newly re-constructed square) or St Lary Tourist Office opposite new church in centre. Look on internet and don’t forget the late Jean-Phillippe’s excellent website, now managed by Alain Pinaud and at. http://fmaquaire.free.fr

Swimming Pools etc.

Boulogne-sur-Gesse. Watersports lake, pools and restaurant

Capvern-les-Bains. Good small outdoor hotel pool.

Lannemezan Demi-Lune. Park for children and adults open afternoons.

Marciac. Lake and pool by campsite, floating restaurant.

Meilan Lake for swimming and windsurfing, site entry fee.

Mirande. Large outdoor pool and toddler pool with trees near. Open from 11am.

Montrejeau. Park, playground, lake and swimming pool hidden by river below town.

Trie sur Baise. Nearest outdoor pool, only open weekday afternoons and weekends.

Gavarnie if you like the smell of horses. The road actually goes up to the top RHS of the cirque. The cirque is spectacular and the blue irises in June are fantastic.

Observatory at Pic du Midi de Bigorre, from D918 Col de Tourmalet. Book &/or queue.

Cauterets and Pont d’Espagne short walk to Lac de Gaube. 2 days to Vignemale(3298m)

Gallo-Roman Villa stunning, museum, Pre-historic sites at Montmaurin on D633 due East of Galan. Wonderful small gorge with path on north side through disused quarry.

Auch and D’Artagnan. Carvings (Choir stalls) in Cathedral worth a careful look.

Tarbes, historic cavalry and munitions town. Jardin Massey. Hypermarket Leclerc at Ibos exit junction 10 on A64 / E80. Leclerc Sport for camping and climbing gear.

Trie sur Baise is on the way to Tillac and Marciac. Worth a visit for old churches and tower. Nearest outdoor pool open in afternoons. Night markets.

Markets are ubiquitous, but Lannemezan Wednesday (value lunch at Maurets).

Mirande Monday, (Jane and Peter Horton have a stall in the newly re-furbished market hall) value lunch at Les Halles, good outdoor pool.

Casa Irene  (Irene Espana dreams up top Catalan menus) at Arties for a special meal. Montrejeau, turn right onto N125, St Beat, Les, Bosost, then turn left at Viella to Salardu and Arties. Fork right in Arties, new road layout. Booking essential, don’t have much breakfast, lunch served 1.30 ish, allow the whole afternoon. Walk round old village. 0034973644364  / 0034973644495

Ask us about:  the hidden mossy valley near Esparros; St Bertrand, King Herod and the Grottes de Gargas; N D de Garraison, the Manoir and Nazi prisoners; cows in a tunnel, eagles and driving up to Espiaube; Aurignac, Lallanne-Arque lake, Rioumajou; Lac Bleu……

We have Green Michelin Guides in French and most walking maps of the area.

Please let us know of any errors or omissions.

Most important HAVE FUN!!! Let us know what you love about Gascony.