Ready to tackle the Spanish Pyrenees? This guide covers everything you need to show up confident and prepared for four days of mountain trails, alpine lakes, and views that’ll make your Instagram followers totally jealous.
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Ready to tackle the Spanish Pyrenees? This guide covers everything you need to show up confident and prepared for four days of mountain trails, alpine lakes, and views that’ll make your Instagram followers totally jealous.
Zaragoza isn’t exactly a household name, but it’s your gateway to the Pyrenees and surprisingly well connected. Most people fly Ryanair from London Stansted (1hr 45min flight), then it’s a 1hr 30min transfer to our base in Biescas. You can also take a high-speed train from either Madrid or Barcelona that also takes approximately 1hr 45 mins.
Meeting Point: Zaragoza Airport or Zaragoza-Delicias Train Station
London Stansted to Zaragoza with Ryanair. Flights run regularly throughout summer.
Zaragoza Airport:
Zaragoza Delicias Train Station:
Yes, it’s €250 each way. Worth considering if you want to arrive earlier or leave later than our scheduled transfer times.
Absolutely. Barcelona-Zaragoza takes 1.5 hours, Madrid-Zaragoza is about the same. Book through thetrainline.com or renfe.com/es/en
We run one timed transfer each way to keep costs down for everyone. It is possible to book a private transfer for €250 to or from Zaragoza. Contact our Bookings Team for more information.
This trip is rated challenging. You’ll be hiking 10-18km daily in the mountains with ascents between 345m-750m over four consecutive days.
What this actually means: Long days on mountain trails with rocky terrain, steep sections, and higher-altitude climbs. Some routes include exposed sections where you’ll need to be comfortable with heights. The trails are remote and demanding, but every step is worth it for the views.
Fitness Requirements: You need solid cardiovascular fitness and regular hill walking experience. We recommend doing medium to high-intensity cardio three times a week, such as running, cycling, spin classes etc. Walking in your local park and a weekly yoga class won’t cut it for these mountain demands, however getting out on some hilly hikes will also help you prepare.
If you’re comfortable with hiking up steep ascents, have a solid fitness base, and enjoy a challenge, you’ll be in your element. Just be honest with yourself about your capabilities.
Our guides adjust the pace to the group’s needs and always have route options. We’d rather you enjoy yourself than suffer through. That said though, you will need a reasonable level of fitness and some experience with hill walking to come on this trip.
One great way is to start hill walking with a daypack, building up distance and elevation gradually. Stair climbing, hiking with poles if you use them, and general cardio fitness also works. Start 8-12 weeks before if you’re not already active.
Breakfast, packed lunch prep, then up to 8 hours on mountain trails with stops along the way for photos, snacks, and taking in the scenery. Return to base, sauna and swim, shower, dinner at local restaurants. Repeat for four days.
Of course. Some days you might choose not to do the optional final ascent, the blisters might have got too much, or you might just want to spend a day exploring Biescas village and making the most of the hotel sauna instead. There’s no discount for activities you opt out of however.
Your base for the week is a four-star mountain retreat in Biescas – think tidy but cosy, not flashy luxury. You’ll have comfortable rooms, access to an indoor and outdoor pool, sauna, and peaceful gardens for post-hike recovery.
After active days in the mountains, you’ll appreciate having somewhere comfy to unwind. Rooms are well kitted out with all the facilities you need, plus there’s decent WiFi if you need to check in with the outside world.
All meals are included from dinner on arrival to breakfast on departure. Breakfasts are buffet-style to fuel your day with hot and cold options. At breakfast you also make your packed lunches for the trails, then it’s dinners at carefully selected local restaurants showcasing traditional Pyrenean cuisine. Think hearty mountain fare designed for hungry hikers, not fancy plating.
A cosy mountain retreat with all amenities. Private bathrooms, comfortable beds, pools and sauna for recovery. It’s well-located for mountain access but still civilised enough for a good night’s sleep.
Dinners are at local restaurants, so we need advance notice of any dietary requirements to arrange alternatives. Vegetarians and vegans will find their options more limited than they’re used to.
There’s great connectivity at the hotel. Unless your data package covers it you’ll be offline during hiking days anyway, which is probably exactly what you need.
Relaxed group meals at local restaurants where you’ll try regional specialities and a glass or two of Spanish wine.
Summer in the Pyrenees means warm but unpredictable weather. Mountain conditions change fast – you might have sunshine and clouds within the same hour. Temperatures range from comfortable hiking weather to surprisingly cool at altitude.
Don’t let the cool temperatures fool you though – at altitude the sunshine is stronger so plenty of sunblock is key.
The beauty of mountain weather is also its challenge. Our guides monitor conditions closely and adjust routes accordingly. Some trails have weather-dependent sections, so flexibility is key.
Our guides have backup routes and alternative options for every day. The weather might change which peak we climb or which lake we visit, but you’ll still get your full mountain adventure.
Mountain forecasts are notoriously unreliable, so pack for all conditions rather than trying to predict specific days. Our guides use local knowledge and real-time conditions.
Heavy rain or storms might mean switching to lower-altitude routes or spending time exploring local villages. Still better than sitting in an office.
A layering system is key – base layer, insulating layer, waterproof shell. Pack like you’re expecting everything from sunshine to mountain storms.
Money: Cards are accepted everywhere, but it’s also good to carry a few euros. Budget €10-25 daily for extra drinks, ice creams, or souvenirs.
Tipping: Tipping is not compulsory on our adventures, but if you’ve had a great trip and brilliant service, a tip for your guide or host is always appreciated. We recommend giving €20-€30, or whatever you can or feel is the right amount.
Communication: There’s good mobile coverage in villages and on many trails if your data package covers it. You’ll be offline during remote sections, which is probably exactly what you signed up for. Emergency communication is handled by your guide.
Max 7 guests.
The hotel offers a laundry service, however to avoid a steep bill for washing a few socks we recommend that you pack enough layers for four active days on the trails. Travel wash and the bathroom sink will then work fine for quick freshen up if needs be.
Our guides are first aid trained and carry emergency communication equipment. Serious injuries mean helicopter evacuation (travel insurance essential), minor issues are handled with first aid and route adjustments.
Nothing complicated – Spanish meal times are later than UK (dinner around 9pm so make sure you pack snacks and have a big lunch), siesta time is real (shops close 2-5pm), and hiking culture is well-established so you’ll fit right in.
Layering for the mountains: Quick-dry tshirts handle the warm lower trails, but have a fleece or warm mid-layer within reach for altitude stops and summit viewpoints. Your waterproof shell jacket should also be packed every single day, regardless of the morning forecast. Weather flips fast up here.
Sun protection: At altitude with little shade, the sun is serious. High-factor sunscreen and a sun hat or cap are non-negotiable. Long-sleeve lightweight t-shirts are worth their weight for full-day exposed ridge walks when you’d rather not reapply sunscreen every hour.
Boots and blisters: Well-worn-in hiking boots with ankle support are essential on rocky, uneven Pyrenean trails. Do not bring boots you haven’t properly broken in as blisters on day one will make you miserable. Pack Compeed or moleskin as your insurance policy.
Your daypack: A 20–30 litre pack is the right size to carry layers, lunch, water, and everything else you need without being a burden. A waterproof cover or liner keeps your kit dry when the weather turns. Dry bags inside your pack give an extra layer of protection for anything you can’t afford to get wet.
Water: You need a water bottle or hydration pack that can hold at least two litres. Staying hydrated is really important, especially under the sunshine at elevation.
Spa and swimming: The hotel has indoor and outdoor pools and a sauna – a swimsuit and flip flops earn their place in your suitcase after a long day on the trail.
Mountain weather in the Spanish Pyrenees in summer means you could set off in warm sunshine and be dealing with rain or cold wind by the afternoon. Light, comfortable clothing is your default and plenty of layers, so your daypack needs to be big enough to carry your options.
Yes. Rocky, uneven mountain trails across four consecutive days demand boots with ankle support. Unfortunately trail runners won’t cut it. More importantly, make sure they’re properly broken in before you arrive. New boots and long mountain hikes are a painful combination.
20–30 litres is the sweet spot. Big enough to carry layers, packed lunch, water, and personal kit, but not so large it becomes a slog on steep ascents. A waterproof cover or liner is important; Pyrenean weather can change quickly.
Poles are available on the trail, so you don’t need to pack your own. They’re useful on steep descents and on ascents hitting 750 vertical metres, so take advantage of them.
If you’re checking in a bag, then make sure to travel in your boots. Checked luggage delays do happen, and arriving without your broken-in hiking boots is a problem worth avoiding. Prescription medication should always travel with you too.
Trip Code PYRHPYHIK – Include this code in any message so we can find your trip straight away.
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