Day 1 - Arrival in Aulus-les-Bains (transfer from St Girons)

Arrive into Aulus for an evening briefing at the hotel with your experienced Cloud 9 guide. Get your questions answered and learn about the week ahead. If you arrive in early, enjoy the local thermal baths before the hard work begins! 

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Accommodation: hotel, dinner included

Luggage access: yes

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Day 2 - Trek from Aulus-les-Bains to Bassiès

Jumping straight into the trekking, today begins with a persistent ascent. You'll cross the Plateau de Coumebière then continue up to Port de Saleix and Port de Bassiès, through some incredible granite landscapes. Enjoy the views from up there (at 1933m) before dropping down for the day's final kilometre into the Refuge des Étangs de Bassiès where you can cool off in the water. 

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Accommodation: mountain refuge, dinner included

Luggage access: no

Walking: approx 5-6 hrs

Distance: 11km

Altitude gain / loss: +1200m / -300m

 

Day 3 - Trek from Bassiès to Goulier (via Olbier)

Today we'll contour across past Étang Majeur and Étang d'Escales with Pic du Far (1926m) keeping check on our progress from above. We'll then lose some height and stay closer to the valley floor as we head via Olbier to Goulier for our evening meal and stopover in the village. 

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Accommodation: gîte, dinner included

Luggage access: yes

Walking: approx 5 hrs

Distance: approx 13km

Altitude gain / loss: +350m / -900m

 

Day 4 - Trek from Goulier to Gestiès or Arquizat

Today's a relatively straightforward day, as we go up and over a series of close-packed cols, of which Col de Lercoul is the highest (1594m). We'll pass calm mountain hamlets like Lercoul and Siguer. Save an energy burst for the sting-in-the-tail ascent to Gestiès at the end of the day!

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Accommodation: gîte, dinner included

Luggage access: yes

Walking: 6-7 hours

Distance: approx 15km

Altitude gain / loss: +1050m / -800m

 

Day 5 - Trek from Col de Sasc to Plateau de Beille

Today begins with a transfer from our accommodation to the Col de Sasc (1798m). It's then an up and down rollercoaster of a day, as the ascent and descent totals suggest to reach our accommodation in Plateau de Beille. There's a Nordic ski station up here and the plateau is often on the Tour de France route. 

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Accommodation: hotel, dinner included

Luggage access: yes

Walking: approx 8-9 hrs

Distance: 21km

Altitude gain / loss: +2400m / -1300m

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Day 6 - Trek from Plateau de Beille to Refuge de Rulhe

Today is a spectacular day along occasionally exposed ridgelines as we head back into high mountain territory. It's a shortish day which is perfect for, in great weather, it's full of photo opportunities. There are impressive peaks all around like Pic de Cabaill ère (2555m), the twin-summited Pic d'Espaillat (2263m) and Pic des Calmettes (2413m) just before you reach the refuge for the evening. 

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Accommodation: mountain refuge, dinner included

Luggage access: no

Walking: approx 5 hrs

Distance: 14km

Altitude gain / loss: +1000m / -600m

 

Day 7 - Trek from Refuge de Rulhe to Mérens-les-Vals

The final day on the trail for us remains suitably challenging, with paths that can be rough underfoot as they lead us through the region's spectacular granite terrain. With great views and mountain lakes to skirt, this really is a wonderfully scenic day to wrap up Stage 6 of your GR10 trek. 

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Accommodation: hotel, dinner included

Luggage access: yes

Walking: approx 4.5 hrs

Distance: 12km

Altitude gain / loss: +500m / -1600m

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Day 8 - Departure day

Our trip finishes after breakfast today. Those staying on for the next section of the GR10 (our Stage 7), don't go anywhere and we'll look forward to continuing with you next week. 

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