Hiking season begins in the Pyrenees

The alpine ski season is slowly but surely coming to an end in the Pyrenees, and the low-lying areas at the foothills on both sides of the mountain range in southwestern Europe are already largely snow-free. Over the upcoming Easter weekend, the last skiers will be out at higher elevations in the Pyrenees, while the first hikers and mountain bikers will be exploring areas below the 1,000-meter mark. The Pyrenees offer two long-distance trails connecting France and Spain, both equally suitable for cyclists and hikers.

The better-known hiking trail is the Camino de Santiago, which attracts many hikers and pilgrims to the Pyrenees and the Atlantic coasts of France and Spain from spring through autumn. For several years now, the Camino has also been fully equipped for cyclists, who should definitely opt for a mountain bike rather than a road bike. The hiking trails in the Pyrenees also have a very dense network of guesthouses, often known here as “gîtes.” These are essentially guesthouses that are similar in standard to a hotel garni, except that guests are also treated to regional specialties in the evenings.

The small state of Andorra lies in the heart of the Pyrenees, between Spain and France. Most of Andorra’s ski resorts remain open over Easter, making April a great time to enjoy hiking, cycling or alpine skiing in the Pyrenees, depending on your preference.