Sports activities in the Pyrenees
For the amateur or confirmed sportsmen and women, walk along the countless hiking trails that are offered in the Pyrenees Béarnaises up to the GR10 which crosses the Pyrenees through the paths of Santiago de Compostela. Try to tackle by bike the mythical Pyrenean hills, a paradise for cyclists. Many other sports activities such as rafting, speleology, fishing, climbing, paragliding are possible. The region abounds with sports competitions all levels and all year round.
Whatever your desires, you will be able to find the sports activities you like near the camping Baretous.
- Hiking
There are many hiking trails in the Haut-Béarn. From the valley of Barétous, through the valley of Aspe and the Oloronese Piedmont, you will find your happiness. The hiking trails are listed and detailed so that each hiker can enjoy his passion in complete safety. A multitude of hikes are also available in Ossau valley.
Note also that routes from Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle cross Béarn and converge in the Basque Country. The important stages in the region: Oloron-Sainte-Marie, Navarrenx, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.
The famous GR10 crosses the Pyrenees: it’s 55 days of walking, 920 kilometers and more than 55 000 meters of positive and negative altitude difference !! The GR10 obviously goes through the paths of Béarn and the Basque Country among the known passages such as the Pic du Midi d’Ossau, Lescun, La Pierre Saint-Martin, Sainte-Engrâce, the Iraty forest, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.
ATV enthusiasts will be able to enjoy their favorite activity. Mountain bike trails are also available with all the useful information (distance, difficulty, elevation gain…) for a sporting outing in complete serenity. Mountain bike loops are available in Vallée d’Ossau.
- Bike touring
The Pyrenees are the “paradise” for lovers of the little queen. Roads and mythical hills : Tourmalet, Aubisque, Soulor. The first Tour de France was created in 1903 but it is only in 1910 that it passed through the Pyrenees for a fantastic stage between Luchon and Bayonne of 325 kilometers !!! Every year, the Tour de France passes through the Pyrenees to offer memorable races in sumptuous landscapes. Every year, thousands of cyclists come to discover or rediscover these roads, either for pleasure or in competition. The region abounds with superb roads allowing to fully enjoy the landscapes while riding on the routes des Pyrénées-Atlantiques and especially in Béarn.
- Winter sports
A winter sports trip, do you feel like it? On the border with Spain, the ski area of La Pierre Saint-Martin has more than 25 kilometers of ski slopes between 1500 and 2000 meters of altitude in a grandiose environment.
This charming family resort offers a multitude of activities in winter. The resort has 3 ski areas on the domain: the Discovery area, the Horizon area and the Smugglers area, as well as a Nordic area in the Braca forest with its numerous marked runs.
There is also the possibility to practice cross-country skiing or snowshoeing at Issarbe, which offers magnificent views of the Pyrenean mountain range.
Downhill skiing or snowboarding for the more seasoned, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing or dog sledding to discover other sensations or tobogganing and snowmen for the youngest. Everyone will find his activities according to his wishes and desires.
Note that the ski resort of La Pierre Saint-Martin also offers the possibility for people with reduced mobility to ski accompanied in complete safety and peace of mind, with the intermediary of the association La Pierre Handis Pyrénées.
- Fishing
The Pyrénées-Atlantiques offer a multitude of places where to fish. Fishing enthusiasts will find their happiness along the 7000 kilometers of regulated 1st and 2nd category rivers. Trout fishing or salmon fishing, it’s up to you now.
- White-water sports
In the country of the gaves, you will have a lot of choice to find activities in white water: rafting, kayaking, hydrospeed, canyoning. These sensational sports, which you are not necessarily used to do on a daily basis, will delight you. In the region, more than 200 kilometers of navigable rivers await you, especially in the Aspe and Ossau valleys.
Come and try the spéléologie, the massif of La Pierre Saint-Martin is very famous in Europe. Experienced speleologists come to satisfy their passion and discover new routes. + more info
- Escalade
There are in Barétous valley some famous climbing spots well known by the initiates. Several qualified instructors offer their services to novices who would like to discover this activity or practice climbing in complete safety. + more info.
