Through the Spanish Pyrenees

When asked to describe my father, the word indomitable invariably springs to mind. Dad's exploits provided a thread of marvellous adventure throughout our otherwise ordinary upbringing. He first visited the Pyrenees more than 35 years ago and then, a few years later, returned on honeymoon. The majestic and diverse mountains caught his imagination but it was not until 1987 that he began to revisit them in earnest, first with the whole family, and later with interested friends. He undertook a number of solo trips when collecting material for the guide to the GR11, Through the Spanish Pyrenees, published in 1996 (revised 1999). For the revision, he walked the entire length of the trail in one expedition with his son. When not in the mountains, dad, who lives in retirement in Shropshire, spends his time constructing a new model railway (complete with Pyrenean castle, of course!), cycling and walking. Dad always puts all of himself into his projects. I hope in reading this guide you will enjoy his company even half as much as I have - and still do.

Contents Foreword. Preface to the third edition Introduction Access Geography GR10 and GR11 compared Equipment Maps Mountain huts Mountain rescue Insurance Telephone codes Waymarking and Navigation Weather Wild camping Water Wildlife Notes on using this guide Sketch maps Metric conversion table GR11 facilities list The Route Day 1: Cabo Higuer - Vera de Bidasoa Day 2: Vera de Bidasoa - Elizondo Day 3: Elizondo - Puerto de Urkiaga Day 4: Puerto de Urkiaga - Burguete Day 5: Burguete - Fabrica de Orbaiceta Day 6: Fabrica de Orbaiceta - Casas de Irati Day 7: Casas de Irati - Ochagavia Day 8: Ochagavia - Isaba Day 9: Isaba - Zuriza Day 10: Zuriza - La Mina Day 11: La Mina - Candanchu Day 12: Candanchu - Sallent de Gallego Day 13: Sallent de Gallego - Refugio de Respomuso Day 14 Refugio de Respomuso - Balneario de Panticosa Day 15: Balneario de Panticosa - San Nicolas de Bujaruelo Day 16: Bujaruelo - Refugio de Goriz Day 17: Refugio de Goriz - Circo de Pineta Day 18: Circo de Pineta - Parzan Day 19: Parzan - Viados Day 20: Viados - Refugio d'Estos Day 21: Estos - Refugio del Puente de Coronas Day 22: Puente de Coronas - Hospital de Viella Day 23: Hospital de Viella - Refugio de la Restanca Day 24: Refugio de la Restanca - Refugio de Colomers Day 25: Refugio de Colomers - Espot Day 26: Espot - La Guingueta Day 27 La Guingueta - Bordas de Nibros Day 28: Bordas de Nibros - Tavascan Day 29: Tavascan - Areu Day 30: Areu - Refugio de Baiau (J.M. Montfort) Day 31: Refugio de Baiau - Arans Day 32: Arans - Encamp Day 33: Encamp - Cabana dels Esparvers Day 34: Cabana dels Esparvers - Refugio de Malniu Day 35: Refugio de Malniu - Puigcerda Day 36: Puigcerda - Planoles Day 37: Planoles - Nuria Day 38: Nuria - Setcases Day 39: Setcases - Beget Day 40: Beget - Sant Aniol d'Aguja Day 41: Sant Aniol d'Aguja - Albanya Day 42: Albanya - La Vajol Day 43: La Vajol - Requesens Day 44: Requesens - St. Quirze de Colera Day 45: St. Quirze de Colera - El Port de la Selva Day 46: El Port de la Selva - Cabo de Creus GR11 variants Appendices Glossary Bibliography Route Summary