We got on our way by 9am for a 6 hour hike in the Pyrenees. First we had about a half hour drive to the starting point. First sign on our way read “attention. Chains required”, as we didn’t have any and it was very cold DB took it really slow. Then next sign was about being extra careful for next 8km because the road was really narrow, only 1.5 cars wide and very windy, with hairpin blind turns. This made a 30 min drive take about 45 mins or more. Oh well, then we had to wait while we passed some cows in the middle of the road. All this added to our delayed start. When we got to the track there was another sign that took 10 mins to translate which didn’t make much sense when we translated it. we just went by the pictures in the end. We finally got going at 10.20 instead of the 9.30 we were hoping for. When we started our walk it was 0′, we got dressed in our thermals, beanies and jackets. We walked through some farmland to start with passed horses, cows, calves and sheep. As we had to climb almost 1000m over about 15km the hike started up straight away and continued to climb gradually for the next 7 or so km. It was steeper in some parts, rocky in others and a bit slippery in other parts. The sun was shining and the views were amazing in all direction. It warmed up after about 30 mins hiking and we removed jackets, gloves and beanies. Once again we are happy in the wide open spaces, following our little red and white markers. At the halfway mark of our loop track we reached the mountain peak which was a steep 250m hike up over a very short distance over gravelly rocks and larger rocky cliffs. It was a little challenging but not that difficult. At the peak we had 360′ views of the valleys, mountains, sheer cliffs, gorge and snow capped peaks. It really was spectacular and I am sure the photos won’t be as good but will at least be a reminder to us of how amazing it was. We also saw an enormous vulture soaring above us at the top. DB said the only way you could see how big it was would be taking a photo of it when it carried him away. We didn’t rock climb the last bit of the peak as it was very sheer and didn’t seem safe to try without proper climbing safety gear.

After a break for lunch at the top we headed back the other side of the gully, about another 2 hour walk. The descent from the top was a lot trickier than the ascent with the gravelly rocks and its steepness. It was a great hike and along the way we also saw some wild xxxx. The view on the way back was as good as on the way to the peak, but we traversed some sheer spots of gravel mountainside. On the way down your toes get bruised inside your shoes from pressing against the hard fronts of your hiking shoes. I always prefer the uphill climb as it is less stressful on your body and our hearts are up for the challenge.

The last part of the track I expected to go through farmland again but instead it was through forest instead and was very pretty with the autumn colours. In the last 15mins we saw a few signs that showed we could see vultures, goat antelope, black woodpecker and brown bears. DB was disappointed we didn’t see the bears, me not so much. Especially as we didn’t know there were any in this area, which is very unlike DB. He has usually checked this out before we start.

All in a a fantastic hike. We are really enjoying having a little time to enjoy the hike, taking pictures, having rests rather than our usual start too late and rushing to beat the dark back.

We finished the day with about a 4.5 hour drive west towards our next adventure in Europa de Pica. Just what you feel like doing after 6 hours hiking. Our days are running out and we still have a few adventures left.

We have done it again. Stopped in a town for overnight and found out it is one of the most beautiful places in Spain. So may just visit here tomorrow. We are struggling a little with sunrise the further west we travel, as it is at 8.39am tomorrow. Sunset is 7.39pm. Makes waking with the daylight a little difficult.

Tolls 7,55