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The Pyrenees is one of Europe's major mountain chains, running from the Bay of Biscay near Biarritz east almost to the Mediterranean. Near Prades the range divides and the southern arm known as the Albères reaches the coast in the vicinity of Port Vendres. The northern arm is crowned by the Canigou, which at 2780m dominates the Prades valley and indeed the whole of the Roussillon plain. It is regarded almost as a sacred mountain by the Catalã,a sort of Fujiyama, and a symbol of a lost era when Catalunya was one united country.
Further west beyond the highest military base in France at Mont Louis lies the Capcir, the Lake District of the Pyrenees, dominated by the Carlit massif.
 From there we cross into the département of Ariège, with several high peaks over 3000m in the main range (see left) and ranges of lower mountains to the north. Further west still lie the highest peaks in the range, names such as Monte Perdido, Pico d'Agneto, and the Vignemale. The mountains sweep down to the French side, where are found the enormous cirques of Gavarnie and Troumouse. On the Spanish side are areas of almost desert limestone, with occasional lammergeiers (bearded vultures) circling overhead, culminating in steep valleys or deep cañons leading to pine clad slopes and verdant valley-bottom pastures.
It is a long chain with many contrasts and a lifetime of places to explore and breathtaking views. Come and share a little of it!
Links to the mountain flowers photo gallery and wildlife photo gallery
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