Prices from
495
Season
May to September
Duration
3 nights
Meals
Half-board
Group size
Up to 6 people
Accommodation
Pyrenean Barn, Wild camping
Location
France
Meeting point
Tarbes Lourdes Pyrenees Airport, Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, Walnut Grange, Sainte-Marie-de-Campan
Difficulty
All Levels : All Levels : On these trips, we will tailor each day of activity to the capability and experience of the group.
Shooting stars and silent nights
This wild camping experience weekend is the most immersive way to experience the breathtaking Pyrenees National Park.
Your first night will be in one of our cosy gites, at Walnut Grange, our base in the Pyrenees. Here we will acclimatise and prepare for our wild camping adventure experience.
Equipped with ultralight, high-performance camping and cooking equipment, we will hike or trail run through beautiful wildflowers past high grazing pastures to find our own stunning wild camping location for the night.
Usually next to a stream or lake, we can wash away the day's efforts before enjoying a delicious warm meal whilst enjoying endless breathtaking views of the serrated high mountain peaks surrounding us.
Typical highlights
- 2.5 days hiking or running stunning trails in the Pyrénées National Park
- Guided by a professional International Mountain Leader
- Enjoy breathtaking views from the mountain peaks and cols we will conquer
- Spot a wide variety of flora and fauna 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
- 2 nights at Walnut Grange, Sainte Marie de Campan (twin share/double)
- 1-night wild camping in the mountains of the Pyrénées
Meals
- Breakfasts and dinners at Walnut Grange
- Breakfasts and dinners during the wild camping experience
International Mountain Leader
- Up to 2.5 days of guided hiking or trail running
Local transport
- All transport throughout 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 Walnut Grange - Twin share room | NO Breakfast | NO Lunch | YES Dinner |
Day 2 Wild Camping - Twin Share Tent | YES Breakfast | NO Lunch | YES Dinner |
Day 3 Walnut Grange - Twin Share Room | YES Breakfast | NO Lunch | YES Dinner |
Day 4 - Departure 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'.
Wild Camping
The wild camping menu includes a hearty and flavoursome warm supper and breakfast, cooked in the mountains. You can choose from a wide range of delicious meals developed by our food partners Firepot.
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 prepare our equipment for the day and night ahead, then set off for for an _____km and _____m+ ascent run/power hike to our remote camping spot.
We will enjoy a picnic lunch and refreshment stops on the trail to give us the most flexibility.
Enjoy a hearty warm firepot supper at our wild camping spot and take in the amazing night sky, before retiring to our cosy light-weight tents and warm sleeping bags.
Day 3
Saturday
After a warm wild camping breakfast, we'll continue our journey and run/power hike back to civilisation.
Again, to give us the most flexibility, we will enjoy a picnic lunch and refreshments on the trail and the route will be optimised according to the weather and group energy levels.
Dinner at Walnut Grange.
Optional
- After completing our hike/run, we can visit a nearby thermal spa before heading back to Walnut Grange.
Day 4
Sunday
Local hike or 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.
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!