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We are developing a programme of winter activities for the coming season.
These will include snowshoeing and cross-country skiing (ski du fond) in the Capcir and Pyrenees, activities open to all reasonably fit people.
We are also planning more walking holidays in the Albère, Corbière and Fenouillede hills, and the foothills of the main Pyrenees, throughout the winter season. These are at relatively low altitude and walking and weather conditions will be like early autumn in Britain!
We run these treks at all times of year. There are so many varied possibilities we can mix and match to suit your tastes. Accommodation for these weeks is entirely at a hotel of at least 2* status. They suit autumn/winter breaks, or perhaps a slightly less fit or older clientele, or family groups. To give you a feel for the possibilities, here's a sample selection:
Traverse des Albères: a major day crossing the easternmost outposts of the Pyrenees from where the motorway crosses the Spanish border, right down to the Mediterranean. Passing through pine and beech forest, and alpine pasture, with tremendous views.
Gorge de la Carança: teeter along a "balcon" hundreds of feet above the narrow gorge of Carança, peering down at the stream below. Later you will be in the bottom of the gorge, crossing and re-crossing the stream by means of "passerelles" or suspension footbridges.
The old border: discover a cave in the limestone hills of the Corbières where occult ceremonies seem to take place, then gain the top of the ridge to follow the line of the former Franco-Spanish border prior to the Treaty of the Pyrenees. Spectacular views of the Plain of Roussillon and the Canigou massif. Visit what was once a hilltop walled town, complete with keep and underground dwellings.
Gorges du Lech: from a small village in the foothills of the Canigou follow paths winding their way through amazing gorges in the granite slopes.
The Peak of the Three Beeches: follow a beautiful path winding its way steeply up the Albères mountains, initially following a stream, then climbing onto a ridge and diving into the biggest beech forest in Europe. End up on high alpine pastures complete with their unique race of Albères cattle. Descend to a beautiful spot for a dip, temperature permitting!
Roc d'Aigle: follow a disused track winding up the mountainside to a deserted village. Continue up to a spectacular isolated rock outcrop, then pick your way down to the Tet valley. Vistas across to the main Canigou massif and right up towards the Cerdagne. A most unlikely bird can be seen on this walk!!
Tautavel: visit a vineyard village in the Corbières. Climb up a lovely path above it to the old watchtower on the crest of the limestone ridge. From here you can see rock-climbing areas and the marble quarries that once threatened to take over the climbing cliffs. Descend and walk a few kilometres to a pretty gorge with its limestone cliffs, small river, and deep pools with excellent swimming. Carry on to visit the cave where the oldest hominid remains in Europe (Tautavel Man, about 450000yrs BP) were found.
Tour de Madeloc: climb up into the Albères to a nineteenth century fort protecting the "new" frontier, then on to a much older watchtower, now adopted by modern technology as a microwave repeater station. From here we traverse past one of the old collecting stations for the grape harvest. In this area the grapes were never carried all the way down to the coast. They were crushed on site and the juice was allowed to flow through ceramic-lined pipelines down to the wineries of Banyuls. They have been doing this since the thirteenth century, but stopped last century, when it seems it was no longer economical exploiting the highest vinyards. We can still see the lower rooms of the building completely lined with ceramic tiles to store the grapes. We then follow another ancient technological wonder; the path has an aquaduct under it transporting drinking water from two springs on the mountainside down to a remote hamlet.
Cascades de Saint Vincent: we follow a pretty track up through the forest to the gorge carrying the torrent of St. Vincent. In reasonably dry weather we can climb up the gorge to the ancient priory of St. Vincent and admire the view from the flanks of the Canigou mountain.
There are many other possibilities. On a week like this we can discuss them and plan your week tailored to your interests and the best things to do at the time of year you visit us.
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