Prices from
495
Season
May to September
Duration
3 nights
Meals
Half-board
Group size
Up to 8 people
Accommodation
Pyrenean Barn
Location
France
Meeting point
Gare de Tarbes (station), Tarbes Lourdes Pyrenees Airport, Toulouse-Blagnac Airport
Difficulty
All Levels : On these trips, we will tailor each day of activity to the capability and experience of the group.
Adventure awaits
This weekend escape promises to immerse you in the authentic and wild beauty of the Pyrenees National Park.
Run and power hike through beautiful wildflowers, past high grazing pastures, sparkling mountain lakes and impressive cirques amphitheatre-like valleys.
All the while, enjoying endless breathtaking views of the serrated high mountain peaks that make up the 430km long mighty mountain range that forms a natural border between France and Spain.
Typical highlights
- 2.5 days running stunning trails in the Pyrénées National Park
- Guided by a professional International Mountain Leader
- Visit Cirque de Gavarnie, UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Enjoy soaring views from the top of the Col du Tourmalet
- Spot a wide variety of flora and fauna only found in the Pyrénées
- Stargaze in this International Dark Sky Reserve - one of 13 globally
- Explore the charming spa town of Bagnére-de-Bigorre
- Relax in the therapeutic warm waters of a Pyrénées thermal spa
What's included?
Airport Transfers
- Pick up and drop off from Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, Tarbes Loudes Pyrénées Airport or Gare de Tarbes
Accommodation
- 3 nights in Walnut Grange, Sainte Marie de Campan (twin share/double)
Meals
- Breakfasts and dinners at Walnut Grange
- Dinner at a local restaurant on Day 3
International Mountain Leader
- 2.5 days of guided trail running
Local transport
- All transport over the course of the weekend
What's not included?
- Flights/travel to Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, Tarbes Loudes Pyrénées Airport or Gare de Tarbes
- Travel/rescue insurance
- Lunches and snacks
- Alcoholic beverages
- Entry cost into the thermal spa(s)
- Personal expenses
DAILY PLAN
Day 1 - Arrival Day Walnut Grange - twin share room | NO Breakfast | NO Lunch | YES Dinner |
Day 2 Walnut Grange - twin share room | YES Breakfast | NO Lunch | YES Dinner |
Day 3 Walnut Grange - twin share room | YES Breakfast | NO Lunch | YES Dinner |
Day 4 - Departure Day N/A | YES Breakfast | NO Lunch | NO Dinner |
What's the food like?
Walnut Grange - Homemade delicious hearty food, using high quality locally sourced where possible ingredients. Please let us know of any dietary requirements ahead of your stay.
Breakfast
You'll be served a good-sized continental breakfast; Homemade Granola, Fresh Bread - Spreads - Croissants - Eggs - Cereal - Fresh Fruit/Stewed Fruit - Yogurt - Freshly squeezed Orange Juice - Barista Coffee - Tea.
Dinner
You'll enjoy a three-course meal of regionally inspired food. We use wholesome, fresh and locally sourced ingredients and serve large portions to keep you well fuelled for the trip.
Typical menu
Starter: Soup and sourdough bread
Main: Homemade meatballs, with jacket potatoes and sauteed spinach and garlic
Dessert: Creme Brulee
The main course may consist of BBQ food or homemade wood-fired sourdough pizzas in the summer months and will often be eaten 'alfresco'.
What's the accommodation like?
Walnut Grange is a charming 300-year-old stone barn set on 8 acres of land in a tranquil setting in the picturesque Campan Valley, Pyrénées National Park.
Lovingly renovated, this traditional building consists of three independent self-catering gîtes, a one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom. These can be booked separately or as a whole to sleep a maximum of 12 people. It is perfect for a couple's getaway, families or large group bookings.
A mix of french country rustic and contemporary, you'll find brocante (second hand) treasures sitting seamlessly next to quality modern appliances, making for a memorable and comfortable stay.
Enjoy outdoor dining on the south-facing terrace, relax with a book in the hammock next to the babbling stream, sunbathe on the deck chairs on the large lawn. In the evenings, cosy up around a log burning fire or toast marshmallows around a fire pit and admire the night sky in this International Dark Sky area.
Walnut Grange is perfect for road cyclists with the start of the famous Col du Tourmalet and Col d'Aspin Tour de France climbs literally on the doorstep! Plus many other breathtaking and challenging routes to ride within the area.
For keen hikers/trail runners, the Pyrénées National park is a paradise with hundreds of km's of stunning mountain trails to explore!
Other sporting/adventure activities on offer nearby include:
Summer
Via ferrata, climbing, canyoning, orienteering, Acrobatic Park experience, rafting, mountain biking, electric bike riding and wild swimming in mountain lakes.
Winter
Ski at La Mongie (20min drive), Nordic ski at Payolle, snowshoeing and dog sledging
More leisurely activities include:
Visit a cave system, a donkey farm, Pic du Midi and the observatory, Park Animalier, Mauvezin Castle, the Saturday traditional market in the nearby Bagnére-de-Bigorre spa town. Or relax and unwind in the many nearby thermal spas, including Aquensis (15 min drive) and Balnéa (1hr drive).
Day 1
Thursday
Arrive late afternoon/early evening at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, Tarbes Lourdes Pyrénées Airport or Gare de Tarbes.
A transfer will then drive you to your accommodation base for the weekend - Walnut Grange, a renovated traditional stone barn situated in the picturesque Campan Valley.
Here you will enjoy a three-course dinner/welcome nibbles and drink (depending on the time).
Following this, you will have a trip briefing. Your guide will discuss the plans for the next couple of days, the weather, have an equipment check, and answer any questions that you might have.
Day 2
Friday
After enjoying a hearty breakfast, we will head over Col du Tourmalet to Gavarnie for an _____km and _____m+ ascent run/power hike.
We will enjoy a picnic lunch and refreshment stops on the trail to give us the most flexibility.
Three-course dinner at Walnut Grange.
Optional
- After completing our run, we can visit a nearby thermal spa before heading back to Walnut Grange.
Day 3
Saturday
After breakfast, we'll head to ________for a ______km and _____m+ run/power hike.
Again, to give us the most flexibility, we will enjoy a picnic lunch and refreshments on the trail.
Dinner at a restaurant in Campan or Bagnères-de-Bigorre.
Optional
- Before starting our run, we can choose to have a short visit to the traditional Saturday market in Bagnère-de-Bigorre.
- After completing our run, we can visit a nearby thermal spa before heading back to Walnut Grange.
Day 4
Sunday
Local run from Walnut Grange approx _____km/____m ascent.
Your transfer will then depart Walnut Grange late morning/early afternoon in time for your flight leaving Toulouse-Blagnac Airport/Tarbes Lourdes Pyrénées Airport or train from Gare de Tarbes.
GALLERY
WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY
Thank you so much for a wonderful three days. We enjoyed challenging ourselves on lesser-known trails, our first experience with chains (fixed), playing in the snow, and of course - all the cheese! Brilliant hospitality, delicious meals and lovely company in a breathtaking location. Hope to be... (more)
Jess and Pete, 2019-10-01October 2019
Jess and Pete
Thank you so much for a wonderful three days. We enjoyed challenging ourselves on lesser-known trails, our first experience with chains (fixed), playing in the snow, and of course - all the cheese! Brilliant hospitality, delicious meals and lovely company in a breathtaking location. Hope to be back before too long.
I had a fantastic four days staying at Chalet La Friaz. I thoroughly enjoyed exploring the trails around the area. I especially liked the shorter 'local' run-up to Bellevue. This was a challenge, but I was rewarded with spectacular views at the top. The Shed was cosy and is uniquely... (more)
Anna, 2019-08-01August 2019
Anna
I had a fantastic four days staying at Chalet La Friaz. I thoroughly enjoyed exploring the trails around the area. I especially liked the shorter 'local' run-up to Bellevue. This was a challenge, but I was rewarded with spectacular views at the top. The Shed was cosy and is uniquely situated. Highlights were drinks on the patio as the sun set and the sound of cowbells in the distance as I drifted off to sleep. Thanks again!
I had an amazing few days staying at Chalet La Friaz with my family. During my stay, I went on a trail run with Shed to Summit - a stunning 20km run straight up from the chalet. Got close to 2800m at the bemusement of the many heavily backpacked hikers we passed. Had time for a cafe stop near... (more)
Sacha, 2019-07-01July 2019
Sacha
I had an amazing few days staying at Chalet La Friaz with my family. During my stay, I went on a trail run with Shed to Summit - a stunning 20km run straight up from the chalet. Got close to 2800m at the bemusement of the many heavily backpacked hikers we passed. Had time for a cafe stop near the top for cake and refreshments whilst taking in the view, before a great downhill single track loop back to the chalet - absolutely loved it, which is more than can be said for my legs! We were hosted superbly, and Kev does a very mean BBQ - highly recommended!