Holiday in Bagnères de Luchon, Pyrénées, France and enjoy walking, skiing, cycling, paragliding & the Tour de France.

PORT BIELH HOLIDAY APARTMENT

WILDLIFE

The Central Pyrénées have a rich and varied wildlife. There are 75 species of mammals including wild boar, black bears, fox, pine martin, stoat and the very elusive desman.

Birds of the area include capercaillie, lammergaier, griffon vulture (very common), peregrine falcon, kites and black woodpecker.

The woodlands contain a good mix of broad leaf trees which give good colour in autumn, as well as conifers. There are alpine flowers to be seen in late spring and summer. Wild crocus are common on the open mountainside.

Wednesday 10th. March 2010

THE LOCAL AREA

Luchon

Bagnéres de Luchon

mountains

Superbagnères above Luchon

mountains

On the road to Superbagnères

mountains

Lake above Hospice de France

This is the central Pyrénées, it has many of the highest and most rugged summits in the range, some topping 3000 metres. These usually snow-capped peaks tower over lovely wooded valleys with fast flowing rivers.

BAGNÈRES de LUCHON

Is a pleasant spa town at the foot of the Central Pyrénées, approximately 500metres above sea level. It is 140 kilometres (87 miles) southwest of Toulouse. It is an excellent centre for outdoor activities such as walking, skiing, paragliding and cycling. There are ample shops also a casino, swimming pool, thermal baths and all the usual tourist facilities.

SUPERBAGNÈRES

Lies on the end of a ridge some 1000 metres above Luchon and is a winter ski resort with a large hotel. There is a cable car from Luchon that runs for skiers in winter and tourists in the summer season. Also in summer and autumn you can drive up on an excellent mountain road. This makes it a good starting point for mountain walks.

VALLÉE du LYS

Is a picturesque valley below Superbagnères and accessed easily from the same mountain road from Luchon. There is a waterfall at the head.

HOSPICE de FRANCE

Despite its name this is a mountain refuge at the head of another good road with a car park set amongst the trees. There are several walks starting from here to suit all abilities.

One excellent walk is up a steep dramatic valley to the Refuge de Venasque. From below it looks very steep but there is a good path all the way. It takes about 3 hours to make the climb. You can continue up to the Spanish border that follows the main ridge of The Pyrenées.

SOME OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST

There are many other places worth a visit including the Larboust valley that leads to The Col de Peyresourde from where there is a lovely ridge walk over several gentle grassy summits.

A trip over the Col de Viehla to Spain is a must. Just a few kilometres over the border is Bossost set beside a river. It has some good shops. Also a few kilometres south the village of Es Bordes is well worth a visit.

See our PHOTO GALLERY for more pictures of the area.
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