Classic with Vignemale ascent

This is the Pyrenean trekking par excellence. Change of scenery at each stage, impressive mountains with stories of great Pyrenean climbers from both sides of the border. The most southern glaciers of Europe that are dying offer us an impressive spectacle: waterfalls, forests and rivers. Without a doubt, it is the paradise of adventure trekking.

Graphic and Map: Classic + Vignemale

DAY 1

Start: Bujaruelo Mountain Hut

Arrival at the Bujaruelo Mountain Hut, where we will welcome you, introduce ourselves and have an explanatory talk. At this meeting point we will give you the welcome pack, we will see the details of the route, the conditions of the mountain, and we will teach you how to use the geolocator safety device that you will have at your disposal during the whole itinerary. Here you will be able to solve any last minute doubts you may have. And from here begins the fantastic adventure that will take us through some of the most spectacular landscapes of the Pyrenees. All this enlivened with a welcome snack.

DAY 2 : STAGE 1

La Brecha and the Ordesa Canyon

From Bujaruelo Mountain Hut to Góriz Mountain Hut.

From Bujaruelo we cross the Roman bridge and ascend following the red and white markings that indicate the GR 11 as far as the Puerto de Bujaruelo pass. Here we follow the sign that leads us to the Mountain Hut de la Brecha de Rolando. Once in the Brecha we descend towards the Collado del Descargador through the Paso de los Sarrios. Here we will find the first technical step of the route with some chains that help us in its progression. There is an alternative path from the Brecha itself to avoid this pass. From the Collado del Descargador we continue towards the plain to reach the Góriz Mountain Hut. 

SEE MIDE

Graphic and Map: Clásica + Vignemale: Stage 1

DAY 3 | STAGE 2

Collado de Añisclo and Pineta Valley

From Góriz Mountain Hut to Pineta Mountain Hut.

We leave Góriz following the GR 11 markings that gradually climb to the Collado Superior de Góriz. At this point we leave the GR 11 that descends to the Añisclo Canyon and take the milestones in a north-easterly direction that take us through the Faja de las Olas to the Collado de Añisclo, where we also find an area of chains that help us in our progression. To avoid this technical step we can descend to the Fuen Blanca, and then ascend the Collado de Añisclo. We carefully descend the long and demanding descent from the Collado de Añisclo to the Mountain Hut.

SEE MIDE

Graphic and Map: Clásica + Vignemale: Stage 2

DAY 4 | STAGE 3

The Monte Perdido Glacier

From Pineta Mountain Hut to Espuguettes Mountain Hut.

From Pineta we follow the National Park signs to the Balcón de Pineta and Lago de Marboré. We continue skirting the lake on the right towards the Tucarroya Gap and Mountain Hut. We climb up to the gap and from here we descend along a steep sloping channel with a lot of loose rocks that requires us to descend with caution. If there is snow, the difficulty increases and it is essential to use ice axes and crampons. There is also an alternative variant via Puerto Nuevo de Pineta that avoids this technical pass. Once we descend from the Rolando Gap we head towards the Horquette d'Alans along an uphill path. Descend to the Espuguettes Mountain Hut where we will enjoy unbeatable views.

SEE MIDE

Graphic and Map: Clásica + Vignemale: Stage 3

DAY 5 | STAGE 4

The Cirque de Gavarnie

From the Espuguettes Mountain Hut to the Grange de Holle Mountain Hut.

Departure from the Espuguettes Mountain Hut in the direction of Gavarnie. After a steep descent you will see a signpost indicating the path to the Cirque de Gavarnie to the left. Follow this beautiful forest path that will take you to the base of the imposing Cirque de Gavarnie. It is about an hour's walk from the Hotellerie du Cirque to Gavarnie. From the village of Gavarnie to the Grange de Holle Mountain Hut there is a path that is not easy to find. Follow the signs to the cemetery and after the cemetery take an unmarked path to the right which will lead you to the Grange de Holle Mountain Hut.

SEE MIDE

Graphic and Map: Clásica + Vignemale: Stage 4

DAY 6 | STAGE 5

The Great Vignemale

From the Grange de Holle Mountain Hut to the Bayssellance Mountain Hut.

We leave the Grange de Holle and follow the GR 10 in the opposite direction to Gavarnie. At the beginning the path cuts across the road that goes up to Puerto de Bujaruelo until it reaches a higher altitude. Patiently we go up the long path of pastures and cattle that takes us to the beautiful dammed lake of Ossoue. We pass very close to the Lourdes Mountain Hut and continue steadily to cross the dam and begin the long climb that will take us to the Bayssellance Mountain Hut.

SEE MIDE

Graphic and Map: Classic Route + Vignemale

DAY 7 | STAGE 6

Ascent of Vignemale and Oulèttes de Gaube

From the Bayssellance Mountain Hut to the Oulèttes de Gaube Mountain Hut.

We leave Bayssellance Mountain Hut (2,654 m) descending a few metres along the GR 10 towards Ossoue dam. We soon leave this path to the right (once we have passed the Petit Vignemale ridge) and take a fairly well marked path to the west that starts to climb up to the glacier.
We follow the path, easy to see at the bginning, but less clear shortly afterwards, before it becomes clearer again further on. We must flank the less marked section where we progress with the occasional help of our hands, paying attention to possible slips and stone falls from the crest and walls of Petit Vignemale. It is not a difficult section but we must be careful (we can avoid the section by descending along the GR 10, up to the curve that leads to the Grottes Bellevue, and then turning off from there towards the glacier). This variant involves less objective risk but increases the height difference of the activity.
We ascend along the moraine that leaves us on the Ossoue glacier, until we reach the summit pyramid of the Pique Longue. From there we start a simple but long climb (about 150 m) over broken terrain. The steepness of the terrain and the risk of falling stones make this last stretch before the summit somewhat exposed. We ascend to the summit following a multitude of milestones that mark different routes. All are of similar difficulty and converge at the summit of the Pique Longue (3,299 m), the highest peak of the Vignemale Massif.
We descend along the same route.
This ascent runs through high mountain terrain and crosses a glacier with crevasses, which makes technical knowledge of snow and ice progression essential. Ice axe, crampons and helmet should be used and roping should also be considered.

We descend along the same route returning to the Bayssellance Mountain Hut. We continue along the path that climbs up to the Horquette d'Ossoue and descends to the Oulèttes Mountain Hut.

SEE MIDE

Graphic and Map: Clásica + Vignemale: Stage 6

DAY 8 | STAGE 7

The reward

From the Oulèttes de Gaube Mountain Hut to the Bujaruelo Mountain Hut.

Departure from Oulèttes in the direction of the Col des Mules. Descend the pass following the red and white markings of the HRP. We leave the markings to head towards the Ara Valley which, after a long and gentle descent, will lead us back to the Roman Bridge of Bujaruelo and the Mountain Hut.

SEE MIDE

Graphic and Map: Clásica + Vignemale: Stage 7
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