UKC

Hey

We're planning on taking a trip to the Pyrenees next week, we have 2 weeks and will be driving down from Roscoff. We're after somewhere fairly central to stay within easy driving distance of a fair amount of climbing and maybe some via feratta, canyoing etc. Anyone know any good places? We're also thinking of taking a day trip to Barcelona.

Just after any advice or tips on places to stay, we have a van so don't need to worry about campsites the whole time but it would be nice to find somewhere social and climber friendly for a few nights.

Cheers

In reply to jemmaflower:


Sounds like you'd be happy in Ariège. Best single-pitch climbing in the Pyrenees, plenty of good canyoning and a few via ferrate. And only 3 hours or so from Barcelona. THe new Rockfax Ariège guide should be all you need for the climbing and has some info on other activities too.

In reply to john arran:


I can understand you singing the praises of Ariege, but for a first trip to the Pyrénées there are more spectacular offerings !

Much depends on the importance of visiting Barcelona ! If you were to stay on the Spanish side ( Aragon ) you could easily take in Monte Perdido and the limestone canyons; Benasque and the Aneto and Posets massifs. There are crags all over the place. I'm not sure about Via Ferata. The Sierra de Guara is THE original canyoning destination. I've driven from Ainsa to Barcelona in 3h 15 min, with a good 200 kms on motorway.

Best approach through the Bielsa tunnel to the Cinca valley. Ainsa is a lovely medieval village. There is an abundance of quiet places to stop over-night on the small mountain roads if you wish to avoid campsites.