The Path of the Bear - self-guided hike in the western Pyrenees

Itinerary:

Day 1. Somport - Arlet refuge
We will meet the guide, who will be responsible for explaining the route, at the Aisa Refuge in Puerto de Somport. We will check our equipment and begin our first day. We will start our stage by walking towards the French side following the Camino de Santiago until we reach the Centre Pastoral de Payrenère, where we will follow the HRP (Haute Route des Pyrenees) markers. There, we will enter a beech forest for several kilometers with little elevation gain. We will enter the cirque of Aspe and the Forest of Espélunguère. From this point, we will begin our ascent to Arlet, first on a track, and then continuing a path. We will reach the Col de Lapachouaou at 1,887 meters. At this point, we will have a magnificent view of the entire Aspe Valley. We will pass by some shepherd's huts as we ascend along our path, and finally, we will arrive at the Ibón de Arlet and the Arlet Refuge. If we still have the energy, we can take a short detour to see the Aguas Tuertas Valley, about 25 minutes from the refuge, one of the most emblematic places in the Aragonese Pyrenees. -/-/D
Duration: 6/7 h Distance: 19 Km. Difference in level: +1,150 m -780 m

Day 2. Arlet refuge - Camping Lauzart
After breakfast, we will start a gentle descent, heading towards the Belonce Valley until we reach the Col de Saoubathou (1,952 meters). We will continue towards the Lacunarda Pass, where we will find a monument that commemorates the Spanish Civil War Republican exiles and the French who escaped the Nazis. From this point, we will move on towards the Col de Pau, from where we will begin a long descent to Lescun. During this descent, we will pass by the Bonaris, du Pénot, and d’Itchaxe cabins and continue along a track until we reach the Camping Lauzart, where we will spend the night. B/-/D
Duration: 7 h Distance: 20 Km. Difference in level: +270m - 1,412 m.

Day 3. Camping Lauzart - Petrechema pass - Linza refuge
We will leave the Camping Lauzart and take a track that leads us towards the Petrechema Passand the Aguilles d’Ansabère. Since it's a cirque that we can see from the campground, we won't have any trouble orienting ourselves in the right direction. We will advance for six kilometers on a track and road, passing by Pont Lamareich, until we reach a parking area at Pont Lamary. From there, we will start an ascent on the HRP through a beautiful beech forest until we reach the Ansabère Cabin. We will still have 400 meters of positive elevation to reach Petrechema Pass. Once we arrive at the pass, we will begin the descent through Foyas de Manaté and Foya os Ingenteros until we reach the Linza Refuge, where we will spend the night. B/-/D
Duration: 8 h Distance: 17 Km. Difference in level: +1,286 m. -789 m.

Day 4. Linza refuge - Gabardito refuge
Today is one of the longest and toughest stages, but it's also incredibly beautiful, so we'll start our journey very early. This stage takes us through the Natural Park of the Western Valleys. We'll leave the refuge and head towards Achar del Caballo and the Foya de Gamueta Refuge, ascending for several kilometers until we reach the Collado d’Anzotiello at an altitude of 2,014 meters. From this point, we'll begin a long descent towards the Selva de Oza. At one point, we will come across a trail intersection between the GR65.3.3 and the GR11, and we will follow the GR65.3.3 towards the Camping Selva de Oza. At this point, we can take a break to recharge. From here, we'll start an ascent towards the Castillo D’Acher Refuge, leaving the Castillo D’Acher, one of the most beautiful places in the area, to our left. After this ascent, we'll be walking for several kilometers above 2,000 meters in altitude, passing by the Secús Refuge and then beginning our descent. Eventually, we will reach an intersection with the GR11.1, which we will follow to reach the Gabardito Refuge. B/-/D
Duration: 9/10 h Distance: 23 Km. Difference in level: +1,640 m. – 1,600 m.

Day 5. Gabardito refuge - Lizara refuge
This is a more relaxed day where you will go through the forest to the “Dios Te Salve” shepherd’s huts and then, through meadows, to the Foratón pass. Optional ascent up to the Bisaurín peak (2,676 m.) and then back down again. Descent to the Lizara refuge. B/-/D
Duration: 4 h Difference in level: +700 m. / -550 m.

Day 6. Lizara refuge - Puerto del Somport (night optional)
On our last day of the journey, we will take the GR11 and ascend towards the Puerto de Vernera. We will advance towards the small and remote Valley of the Sarrios, to begin a slight descent to reach the Ibón de Estanés, one of the most emblematic ibones in the area and the Pyrenees. Shortly after the ibón, we will cross the border again to enter France and descend through the Beech Forest. After walking for three kilometers in France, we will re-enter Spain to reach Candanchú and, ultimately, the Puerto de Somport. Upon reaching the Puerto de Somport, we will bid farewell to the group, and if we desire and have made a prior reservation, it will be possible to spend the night there. B/-/-
Duration: 6.5 h Difference in level: +1,100 m. -1,000 m.

Starting Point: Albergue Aysa, Carretera de Francia s/n, Somport - at the border between France and Spain. The easiest way to reach is to fly to Pau, Zaragoza, Barcelona or Madrid. Contact us for more information on how to reach it.

Practical information:
♦This route is designed for people used to hiking, but who do not usually hike for more than 1 or 2 days in a row. It is also suitable for people who want to start hiking and discover one of the most special areas of the Aragonese Pyrenees, with differences in level ranging between 600 and 900 metres.
♦As a general rule we suggest taking a break every 2 or 3 hours, to rest a little and have a bite to eat to get your strength back. We recommend taking a longer rest break at about 13:00 hours to eat something more substantial and rest a little after lunch.

Recommended equipment:
Rucksack with 40-litres capacity; trekking boots (already worn in) with waterproof membrane if possible; gaiters; socks; breathable, quick-drying trousers; T-shirts; high neck base layer polo shirts; fleece jacket; waterproof jacket; primaloft or down jacket or similar; hat; sun hat; thin gloves; maximum protection sunglasses; telescopic walking poles. high protection factor sun cream for skin and lips, knife and lighter; spare clothes; personal toiletry bag; light towel; water bottle; headlamp with spare batteries; personal first aid kit with aspirins, items for dressings, foot patches; wide sticking plasters; GPS.

Important transport notification: 3 ways to get to Puerto del Somport: By car, by bus from Zaragoza(Spain) or Pau(France) and by train from Zaragoza. The train station is 1.5 hours walking distance from there.