Spanish Pyrenees

Flora, fauna, history, culture and mountain scenery

A wonderful opportunity to discover the magnificent scenery of the central massif of the Spanish Pyrenees awaits. The highest peaks of the range rise to over 3,000 metres from the most verdant valleys, the mountain air is clear and invigorating and a traditional way of life still prevails. Beautiful valleys dissect craggy peaks as rivers filled with trout, carve their way between meadows overlooked by imposing mountains. Here lie the national parks of Monte Perdido and Ordesa, along with the beautiful valley of La Solana.

Spanish Pyrenees - Climate:

The climate is perfect here for an outdoor activity-based holiday for most of the year. Hot in summer but tempered by altitude and pleasantly warm in spring and autumn, with lots of opportunity for skiing during the winter.

In summer the weather is hot and sunny but, due to the altitude, the nights are cooler than on the Mediterranean coast. For wild flora and fauna, the countryside is at its best in Spring, whilst in Autumn the changing scenic colours and a more temperate climate is better for walking and energetic activities.

Spanish Pyrenees - Activities:

What a choice of things to do and see! The vast range of sports may surprise you from bird watching, walking, cycling, tennis, canoeing, mountain biking, rock-climbing, fishing and horse riding to all forms of skiing during the winter.

Well marked tracks offer panoramic views and such a variety of terrain. For nature lovers, there is a wealth of flora and fauna. Wild flowers are spectacular in spring and summer, with many varieties found only in the Pyrenees, and birds of prey are abundant. Good trout fishing is possible in many of the lakes and rivers.

Spanish Pyrenees - Culture & History:

Many villages have medieval churches quite unspoilt by restoration, with frescoes and carvings. The harmony of the villages is striking. Old houses, stoutly built against the winter snows, perch high in tight clusters on mountain sides or disperse throughout the valley floor.

In high pastures, barns remain where shepherds still spend the summer. If you drive from France you will notice the scenery changes dramatically as you enter Spain. The stone gradually becomes more golden, the villages more Moorish and it is invariably sunnier.

You will find pine forests to the north and olive groves to the south. Vast limestone blocks overlook lost valleys, with stone slate-roofed villages isolated in incredibly inaccessible places, making one wonder how people built a home here in years gone by.

Spanish Pyrenees - Out & About:

If you wish to explore further afield, the roads are good. Visits to Jaca, Huesca, Barbastro and the Moorish village of Alquezar and the National Parks are a must.

Spanish Pyrenees - Gastronomy:

Local produce is different from the Mediterranean with wild boar, partridge and trout regularly on the menu and served with local vegetables. The wines are good and range from fresh Pyrenean country wine from the barrel to the excellent bottled table wines of Aragon.

Spanish Pyrenees - Getting there:

The most convenient airport in Spain for the Pyrenees is Barcelona to which there are many scheduled flights from the UK. As Barcelona is about 300km away some visitors like to spend a night somewhere en-route so that they can enjoy a more leisurely drive.

Alternatively you can fly to Toulouse in France with BA from Gatwick or to Carcassone from Stansted. Some visitors take a Channel crossing and drive down through France. Please ask our reservations team for full information.