The Adventure Creators

01/11/2023

Let's talk bears!

Did you know .... there are now over 70 bears settled in the Pyrenees mountains, mainly in the wild and rugged central area of the chain!

This is a great article featuring one of the local experts, Adrien, with whom we work closely to raise awareness of these misunderstood animals.

The Pays de l'Ours association for whom Adrien works are doing great work across the chain, educating local communities on how they can peacefully cohabit with the increasing population of brown bears.

From May to September, we can arrange for guests staying in the area to spend a half or a full day with Adrien on a discovery walk, deep in bear territory, looking for signs of the bears' presence.

A few hairs caught on a barbed collecting point on a tree?
A footprint cast in the mud of a woodland path?
Or some footage of a bear in that very spot where you're standing, captured by a motion detection camera?

The thrill of sharing this space with these magnificent animals is enough to give you goosebumps, it really is!

Want to know more? Don't hesitate to reach out!
https://reasonstobecheerful.world/brown-bears-french-pyrenees-reintroduction/

Thanks to biological monitoring and community outreach, the once-nearly-extinct bruins are again ambling through the mountains.

26/10/2023

🚴🏻‍♂️This is going to be a cracker! 🚴🏻‍♂️

If you've never experienced the crazy atmosphere of a stage of the Tour de France from up close, that needs to change next year!

Bookmark Bastille Day, le Quatorze Juillet, the 14th July, one of the most significant dates on the French calendar, which has been chosen for the Queen stage of this epic cycling event in 2024.

The buzz in the village of Loudenvielle in the picturesque Louron Valley is going to be off the scale as it hosts the start of this stage which takes in the epic cols of the central Pyrenees such as Peyresourde, Menté, Portet d'Aspet, Agnes with a grand finale up to the Plateau de Beille in the Ariege Pyrenees.

You don't have to be a cyclist to get swept up in the vibe of the biggest event on the road racing calendar.

Plan an adventure holiday in the Pyrenees around mid July and we'll ensure you have all the info you need to enjoy the Tour de France circus to the max!

You know what you need to do 😉😀

20/09/2023

OK, so this isn't for everybody.

Scroll on by if ......

❌ You like your creature comforts
❌ You're addicted to checking your social media feeds a zillion times a day
❌ Training? Why bother!
❌ You are never happier than when sharing the trails with the world and his wife.
❌ You prefer well trodden footpaths on which you can simply put one foot in front of the other.

If the above sounds like you, then the Sentier de Camille is most definitely not an adventure that you will enjoy. Absolutely not!

However, if you're looking for your next big hiking challenge then this multi day circular trek that is little known outside of Spain may be right up your street.

If the idea of being challenged not only physically but mentally too, whilst being totally immersed in the most breathtaking mountain environment where your only company is likely to be the mountain wildlife, then hit the link below to get the complete stats on this remarkable 7 day guided trek.

If you can get a group of between 5 and 8 adventure-lovers together, then let's talk about dates for 2024.

July and September are the best months for undertaking this challenge that is sure to leave a lasting impression on you!

Let's speak soon.

10/09/2023

Huge *Congratulations* to the intrepid Women's Fitness Adventures group!

Yesterday they completed the demanding but incredibly rewarding Sentier de Camille 7 day circular trek in the Pyrenees mountains 🥳🚶🏻‍♀️🎉😀!

Guided by the quite wonderful tri-lingual Quentin, they have made some incredible memories whilst challenging themselves physically and sometimes mentally too in a spectacular mountain environment.

The weather was glorious for their entire week 😎and, being in the higher mountains, they escaped much of the 30C+ heat that affected lower altitudes 🥵

They are now recovering and being pampered in a fabulous 5* hotel in Pau before heading off on their onward travels tomorrow.

Way to go, ladies!

If you're interested in finding out more about this exceptional multi day hike in the Pyrenees, message us for more info!

09/09/2023

Well, that was the summer that was!

What incredible and varied adventures you’ve enjoyed in the beautiful Pyrenees mountains over the past couple of months 😍👍😀.

It’s been a privilege and a pleasure to facilitate personal challenges family bonding and some serious downtime to enable you to unwind and de-stress from this thing called life.

Here’s just a short summary of some of the moments that have made us smile this summer.

Sound up! 😉👍😀

07/09/2023

Day 5, 2 more days to go on the Sentier de Camille!

This trek is no pushover with some big distances and big height gain most days on terrain that is typical of the Pyrenees.

But the rewards for this effort include dramatic scenery, big landscapes and a challenging adventure that will stay with the ladies long after they return home.

If you're looking for your next challenge, a guided hiking adventure in 2024 that takes in both the Spanish and French Pyrenees, then let's talk!

03/09/2023

Aaaaaand..... they're off!

This is another one of those trips that has taken 2 years to actually happen, but finally, this fabulous group of adventurous Australian hikers from Women's Fitness Adventures are setting out on the Sentier de Camille today!

This beautiful circular trek takes in both the French and Spanish Pyrenees with their contrasting climates and environments and dramatic scenery.

Over the course of 7 days, the ladies will cover 113 kms and tackle nearly 7000m of ascent, so it's no small undertaking!

The group will be guided by the absolutely lovely Quentin so all they need to do is put one foot in front of the other🚶🏻‍♀️ and enjoy their experience in this beautiful part of the world! ⛰️

Watch out for more posts during the week 😀

28/07/2023

It's tough, but it's worth every step.

Even for those who consider themselves to be pretty fit, hiking the Freedom Trail that crosses the rugged mountains of the Ariège Pyrenees from France into Spain is a real mental and physical challenge.

So imagine what it must have been like for those taking this same route to flee the N**i regime in WW2, wearing just their everyday footwear and clothes, maybe never having set foot in the mountains before.

In fact, it's impossible to grasp the enormity of what they were undertaking.

These thoughts were very much in the minds of our lovely South African group, expertly guided by the wonderful Ben, as they spent 4 days tackling this evocative route.

Mission accomplished, they have a head full of memories and unforgettable moments that they experienced up in those mountains.

It's not an adventure they will forget in a hurry!

We're now taking enquiries and bookings for 2024. The route is best tackled in July, August and September, once the snow in the high mountains has melted.

Dates understandably get booked up fast, so reach out now if you're a small group who're interested in finding out more.

This truly is an adventure that will leave a lasting impression on you!

02/07/2023

I don't think anybody can really believe it's all over.

What an adventure! What a challenge! But they did it!

They were pushed to their limits but they pulled together as a team, supporting and encouraging each other to the end.

Steph in particular has achieved so much on this 5 day adventure.

The boost this accomplishment has given to her confidence and the encouragement her achievement will give to other disabled people are both immeasurable.

It's been an incredible, immensely rewarding and emotional journey of which I am honoured to have been a part.

Huge congrats, Team FWC!

Forces Wives Challenge

Riding Merens ponies, native to the Pyrenees and bred by wonderful horse trekking guide Govan Quinquis, 8 intrepid women including wheelchair user Steph, tac...

01/07/2023

If this doesn’t inspire you, nothing will!

I hooked up with the incredible Forces Wives Challenge team across the border in Spain yesterday, ahead of their fifth and final day of riding today.

Most of all, I just had to meet Steph and, I think it's fair to say, it was a pretty emotional experience for us both.

After 2 years working together to get this trip off the ground, the reality of just what this challenge was going to involve for Steph, how tough it was going to be but then, finally, the realisation that she bloody well could complete it…. well, you get the picture.

Thanks to her incredible team mates, the resourcefulness, the ‘can do’ spirit and good humour of their simply wonderful guide, Govan, those amazing, easy-going Merens ponies and of course, Steph’s own grit and determination, this has been an unforgettable adventure in so many ways.

Here’s just a small moment in the life of a disabled horse woman’s world.

Well done, team! You are all bloody amazing and it was an absolute pleasure to meet you all.

Steph, what’s next?! 😉👍😀

27/06/2023

So wonderful to see the amazing Merens horses doing what Merens do best..... transporting riders and equipment through the lesser explored tracks and trails of the Ariege Pyrenees!

It sounds like the Forces Wives Challenge trek has got off to a great start today and they have safely arrived at their first overnight.

Today and tomorrow are just a warm up for the rough, rugged and challenging terrain that the team will be tackling on Thursday and Friday!

But this is the Merens' home turf and these sure-footed ponies can't help but instill confidence in their riders.

Go team FWC!
Forces Wives Challenge

23/06/2023

We are beyond excited that, after nearly 2 years of planning, the horse trek across the Pyrenees mountains that we have been working on with the wonderful Steph from Forces Wives Challenge, is finally happening! Monday is THE day!
It's going to be epic, especially for Steph who is a wheelchair user but also an experienced horse woman.
Huge thanks to our trusted horse trekking guide, Govan, who will be guiding the ladies on the native Pyrenean Merens horses that he bred and trained in the rugged mountains of the Ariege Pyrenees.
These 8 ladies wanted a challenge. They're going to get a challenge!
I'm sure more photos will follow as their week unfolds.

08/02/2023

It was fantastic to meet the intrepid Forces Wives who will be undertaking a challenging trek on horseback across the Pyrenees mountains at the end of June accompanied by the wonderful Govan.

It's going to be a challenging ride!

Kudos especially to Steph, who is a wheelchair user and will be more challenged than most on this fantastic adventure!

The Forces Wives group is one of a number of groups that we'll be welcoming to the Pyrenees this year for a whole variety of fabulous adventures.

It's going to be quite a year!

Team Ride to Freedom had another fantastic team meeting this week when they were joined by Penny from The Adventure Creators and Govan, who will lead our trek on his beautiful horses. Penny has been so passionate about creating the right challenge for the team and FWC are so grateful to get to work with such fantastic organisations and people. This was the first time the team have spoken with Govan, and his love for his horses is so evident in every word he said. His description of the breed of horses he has, was simply; 'they are the best'.

It is all starting to feel very real now for team R2F, who will be in the Pyrenees in less than 5 months 🤩🐴

24/12/2022

Wherever you are, whoever you are with, we wish you a peaceful, happy time over the festive period.

Bonnes Fêtes and Joyeux Noel to you all!

23/12/2022

"We’re on the way back home after a great stay! Loved the area! Hotel was fab - the hotel buffet - dinner and breakfast was amazing! Our son loved making his own fried eggs at the buffet, couldn’t fault the food or hotel in any way!!
Thank you very much for all the brilliant organisation. We had a great time - all went like clockwork. Many thanks for sorting it all out for us, I tend to do it all myself but it was lovely to have someone else do it for us!"

Let's face it, the Pyrenees are quite a contrast to Nigeria, which is where Claire and her family flew in from for a pre-Christmas snowy short break 👍⛷️🏔️

A 4* hotel at the foot of the uplift to Peyragudes, great food, skiing and a fun time with lovely guide Pablo building an igloo, there are worse ways to start the festive period!

It's great to be approaching the end of what has been an incredibly busy year with this lovely feedback 😀

19/12/2022

Encapsulated in this mini series are all (ok, many!) of the reasons why we're so passionate about the Pyrenees mountains.

The programmes are in French with no subtitles, but even if you don't speak French, the cinematography is breathtaking!

The mountain landscapes here are wild and uspoiled and consequently are home to some very special wildlife indeed.

In these 3 programmes, you'll see breathtaking footage of the wildcats, bears and the bearded vulture which is the rarest vulture in Europe.

Enjoy!

« Les Pyrénées secrètes »

Diffusion lundi 19, mardi 20 et mercredi 21 décembre sur ARTE

Pour lever le voile de la vie sauvage pyrénéenne, au fil des saisons, l’équipe de tournage de Bellota films s’est invitée, sur la pointe des pieds, dans les replis de territoires laissés à la nature.

La série de trois documentaires « Les Pyrénées secrètes » réalisée en partenariat avec le Parc national des Pyrénées pour la chaîne ARTE, vous invite pour un voyage unique à la recherche des espèces emblématiques du massif des Pyrénées, l’un des plus sauvages de France.

Première halte avec « La discrète du piémont, la genette » lundi 19 décembre à 18h15 : www.youtube.com/watch?v=cG-hMH181Gw

Deuxième halte avec « Le roi des forêts ancestrales, l’ours » mardi 20 décembre à 18h15 : www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2hGU2BMLYA

Ultime halte avec « Le corsaire des cimes, le Gypaète barbu » mercredi 21 décembre à 18h15 :
www.youtube.com/watch?v=syu76WtsTqk

14/12/2022

It's all happening!

The slopes at one of the smallest ski resorts here in the central French Pyrenees will be opening this coming weekend. Hurrah!

Le Mourtis is a lovely family friendly resort which also offers numerous other snow-based activities aside from skiing.

Yooner, snowscoot, airboard, fat biking, snowshoeing .... ouf, so much fun in the snow 😁☃️!

If you're still looking for a winter holiday then let's chat while there's still some accommodation availability. It's going to be a busy winter!

Nos équipes sont à pied d'œuvre pour l'ouverture de la station du Mourtis ce week-end ! ❄
Il est temps de préparer votre matériel, plus que 3 jours avant l'ouverture ! ⛷🌲
À très bientôt sur les pistes 👋
📸 Photo prise du sommet

09/12/2022

Yay! We're off!

The Peyragudes resort opens its slopes this weekend and skiers couldn't be happier 😀🏂🏻⛷️

When it's fully open, the resort includes 51 slopes, an extended off piste 'freeride' area, dedicated areas for beginners, numerous non-ski activities and a thermal spa centre.

The ski passes are fantastic value when compared to similar resorts in the Alps and the SkyVall uplift from Loudenvielle means access is a piece of cake 😉😀

With our first clients arriving in 10 days time it promises to be a cracker of a winter season in this very special corner of the Pyrenees.

Hurrah!

05/11/2022

Soooo pretty!

Over the past 24h, the first proper snow of the season has fallen in the central Pyrenees ❄️🏔☀️😀👍

This occasion is always accompanied by a frisson of excitement about the winter season that is knocking on the door!

It will soon be time to dust off the snowshoes, wax the skis and check the kit that has been hidden away on shelves and in cupboards since the end of last season.

We’re looking forward to hearty tartiflettes, cosy log fires, warming hot chocolate and that warm glow of satisfaction after a day well spent in the mountains.

What about you? What are you looking forward to most about the winter months?

16/10/2022

Winter is coming!

Temps may be forecast to hit 30C over the coming days (I know!), but winter will soon be upon us. No really!

With the inevitable white stuff comes the promise of snowy adventures in the Pyrenees mountains.

Have you always fancied learning to ski but never got around to it?

Talk to us about the small group, learn to ski break that we're going to be offering in January with a local British BASI and French ski school qualified instructor.

Or is learning to ski in the backcountry on your bucketlist?

Join us on a comprehensive couple of days with an experienced local high mountain guide and you'll soon be hooked!

If you're a mountain biker, maybe this is the winter when you discover just how much XC fun you can have in the snow on an e-fatbike.

January is a great time to explore all of the snow-based fun that the Pyrenees mountains have to offer.

Curious? Get in touch to discuss the numerous winter holiday options!

14/10/2022

Witnessing this sight would be a dream come true!

As their numbers continue to increase, so has the possibility of catching a glimpse of a brown bear when out hiking in the mountains of the Pyrenees.

They are naturally shy, elusive creatures who tend to seek the cover of the densely wooded hillsides during the day.

But in the autumn, they are focussed on feeding up before the start of their hibernation in November.

There is still fruit on the bilberry bushes in the mountains and the bears are consuming as much as possible in order to build up the reserves which will see them through the winter.

If spotting a brown bear is on your wishlist (it is on mine!) then this is the best time of year for it to happen, especially in the central Pyrenees where we have the highest concentration of bears.

I will be firmly attached to my binoculars on my next mountain hike and maybe, just maybe, I will finally catch a glimpse of this controversial animal!

Magnifique vidéo d'un observation directe d'une ourse et de ses 2 oursons en Ariège en juillet 2022On peut y voir les deux oursons jouer pendant que leur mèr...

08/10/2022

Autumn hiking at its best!

Mild temperatures, incredible light, beautiful colours and few people around .... just some of the reasons why autumn is our favourite season for hiking in the Pyrenees mountains.

The Aigues Tortes National Park across the border in Spain has to be one of the most spectacular areas for hiking here.

It's known as the 'land of a thousand lakes' and it's not hard to see why!

It's an area of dramatic natural beauty, dotted with mountain refuges, many of which provided catered accommodation up until early October.

Outside of those months, it's possible to stay in the basic 'winter' quarters of the refuges which means carrying your own food and overnight equipment.

Our hiking guides accompany adventurous hikers on various multi day itineraries in this breathtakingly beautiful part of the Pyrenees chain.

July through to October are the best months for exploring the Aigues Tortes.

We're now answering enquiries for bespoke hiking trips and taking group bookings for 2023.

Get in touch if you'd like to experience this breathtaking beauty for yourself next year!

25/09/2022

Times they are a-changing!

After the seemingly never-ending heat, cooler, more seasonal weather has finally arrived in the Pyrenees.

Autumn, our favourite hiking and mountain biking season, is upon us - hurrah!

The grasses, bracken and bilberry bushes on the mountainsides are taking on their autumnal colours.

The red deer rut is well underway, heralded by the eerie bellowing of the stags echoing throughout the woodland in the foothills.

The harsh light of the summer has been replaced by a crisper, clearer luminosity which makes for some fabulous photographic opportunities.

This is our favourite season in the Pyrenees and we will be making the most of these conditions before the snow arrives in the higher mountains.

Wish you were here? Get in touch to enquire about the autumn adventure possibilities in this beautiful part of the world.