The Pyrenean Haute Route, Paperback

The Pyrenean High-Level Route is probably the most beautiful, spectacular and challenging trek in the Pyrenees. Unlike the GR10 and GR11, the trek from Hendaye to Banyuls-sur-Mer crosses the French Spanish border many times, exploring both sides of the mountain range and staying as close as possible to the main ridge of the Pyrenees. The 800km unwaymarked route is described in 45 day stages, and there are numerous alternative routes that allow you to avoid a difficult section, should weather conditions not be in your favour. The guidebook includes practical information on villages, mountain huts, guesthouses, hotels and campsites, with variant routes and the optional ascents of ten classic summits: Grande Fache, Vignemale, Le Taillon, Pimene, Pic Perdiguere, Pico de Aneto, Montardo d'Aran, Mont Roig, Pic de Certascan and Pica d'Estats.

Tom Martens grew up in Belgium and first visited the Pyrenees in 2008 with a friend who had made him enthusiast about the mountain chain. This first exploration was so enchanting that he has been back every year since then. He has hiked extensively in the national parks and has traversed the whole length of the Pyrenees several times. He has guided groups of youngsters on long, intensive hikes and climbed many of the peaks in the Pyrenees. So far, he has spent 300 nights in the Pyrenees, mostly bivouacking. He has a special interest in mountain wildlife. Other regions where you can often find him hiking include Scotland and Estonia, where he currently lives.