If
you're
planning
on doing
even
very
basic
walking
or other
outdoor
activities
-
canoeing,
riding,
cycling,
paragliding
- in the
Pyrenees,
a good
contact
point
for
ideas,
information
and
publications
(in
French)
is
Randonnées
Pyrénéennes,
4 rue
Maye-Lane,
65420
Ibos,
near
Tarbes (tel
05.62.90.09.90;
information
centre
tel
05.62.90.09.92).
In
addition,
there
are
plenty
of
walkers'
guidebooks
to the
area in
both
French
and
English
. The
most
detailed
maps
are the
French
IGN
1:25,000
"TOP 25"
series;
#1547OT,
#1647ET,
#1647OT,
#1748ET
and
#1748OT
cover
the Parc
National
des
Pyrénées.
Less
demanding
walkers
can make
do with
Rando
Éditions'
Cartes
de
Randonnées
, which
covers
the
range at
1:50,000
in
eleven
sheets
numbered
from
west to
east.
The
walking
season
usually
lasts
from mid-June
through
late
September;
earlier
in the
year,
few
staffed
refuges
function,
and you
will run
into
snow
even on
parts of
the
GR10.
Whatever
you
intend,
bear in
mind
that
these
are big
mountains
and
should
be
treated
with
respect:
to
tackle
any of
the main
walks
preparation
is
crucial.
Before
taking
to the
hills,
check
weather
forecasts,
usually
posted
at the
local
tourist
office,
and be
sure you
are
properly
equipped
with
water,
food,
maps,
bivvy
bag,
emergency
signalling,
whistle
and
knife,
as well
as warm,
wetproof
and
windproof
clothing
and
suitable
boots -
not to
mention
ice axe
and
crampons
if you
are
going
anywhere
near
permanent
snow,
which
you
shouldn't
be doing
unless
you have
experience
in high-altitude
mountaineering.
Above
all,
don't
take any
chances:
mountain
conditions
can
change
very
quickly,
and
sunny,
warm
weather
in the
valley
doesn't
necessarily
mean it
will be
the same
higher
up,
three
hours
later.
If you
don't
have any
mountain-walking
experience,
it's
probably
best not
to
undertake
anything
more
than a
well-frequented
path
unless
you're
accompanied
by
someone
who does.
One
kilometre
in
twelve
minutes
(5kph)
is a
fairly
average
walking
pace
for
level
ground;
if
you're
going
uphill,
allow an
hour for
every
500m in
elevation
gained.
If you
are out
of
condition
it'll
take
longer.
Work
yourself
in
gently,
otherwise
you
could
easily
ruin
your
holiday:
if you
overdo
it on
your
first
day,
you'll
be
plagued
by
blisters
and
aching
muscles
on the
second.
The best
rule of
thumb is:
if in
doubt,
don't do
it.
