Here are the diaries from my trek, liberally illustrated with a selection of my better photographs. These contain a lot of information about the route, the terrain, the scenery and the accommodation which I hope will be useful to anyone planning to visit the area. Meanwhile the photos will provide a taster of some of the scenery, and perhaps inspire you to go and see it for yourself?
I've also included both Gill's and my own thoughts about our experiences when we got back, reflecting on what a great experience it was, but also on how tough it was!
Just click on the links below to open the individual reports
Volume 1 Days 1 to 7; Hendaye - Les Aldudes
Volume 2 Days 8 to 12; Les Aldudes - Saint Pierre Martin
Volume 3 Days 13 to 16; St Pierre Martin - Col de Somport
Volume 4 Days 17 to 20; Col de Somport - Marcadau
Volume 5 Days 21 to 23; Marcadau - The Breche Hut
Volume 6 Days 24 to 27; The Breche Hut - Barroude
Volume 7 Days 28 to 32; Barroude - The Valle de Benasque
Volume 8 Days 33 to 40; Valle de Benasque - Val d'Aneu
Volume 9 Days 41 to 46; Val d'Aneu - Andorra
Volume 10 Days 47 to 51; Andorra - Font Romeu
Volume 11 Days 52 to 56; Font Romeu - Amelie les Bains
Volume 12 Days 57 to 59; Amelie - Banyuls sur Mer
Gill's comments when she returned from the Pyrenees - dated 16th August 2003
Rob's summary and thoughts about the experience - dated 30th August 2003