Gavarnie - French Pyrenees

The flower filled eastern ramparts of these rich European mountains with so many wonderful Pyrenean plants from Ramonda to Lilium, saxifrages galore and spectacular landscapes abound. Perfect combined with our week in Andorra.  

Day 1     Arrival in Toulouse & transfer to Gavarnie

It is a great drive up to Gavarnie, and we soon start to see Ramonda myconi and Saxifraga longifolia on the cliffs. And rounding the last bend we are greeted by the spectacular cirque for the first time with Gavarnie nestled below. It really is quite a sight. Overnight Gavarnie.

Day 2     Cirque de Gavarnie

One of the finest (easy) alpine walks. Following the river from the back of the town verges full of meadow flowers including Aquilegia pyrenaica and in the clefts of the rocks by the stream is lovely Ramonda myconi and a bank full of Lilium pyrenaicum. The valley opens up with fantastic views of the Cirque, a semi-circle of snow peaked cliffs, with waterfalls running down all around the boulders below home to another striking Pyrenean endemic; Saxifraga longifolia. In the turf is Geranium cinereum, with delicate veined flowers over neat grey-green leaves and a trio of butterworts can be found;  Pinguicula alpina, P. longfolia and P. grandiflora. 

Day 3     Vallee D’Ossue

A fantastic valley, with rich flora including some of the most impressive specimens of Saxifraga longifolia, as well as Iris xiphioides, Anthericum, and Anacamptis pyramidalis. The roadside is so full of flowers and a walk takes us to marsh orchids, various colour forms of Helianthemum nummularia, including the salmon pink H. n. pyrenaicum, plus buttercups and lots of other mountain flowers which create beautifully rich meadows. As we continue there is Hyacinthus amethystinus, and if the season is late, we may see Narcissus pseudonarcissus and N. requenii. Higher up (if we have time) is Saxifraga aretioides and Erinus alpinus with some dark and compact plants.

Day 4     Col de Tentes

Roadside rocks are full of interesting flowers, including Phyteuma, Vitaliana, Primula hirsuta and more Saxifraga longifolia. This is a nice easy area to wander round, but if we have the energy we can continue on to the scree path that leads to Refuge de Sarradets below the Breche de Roland. A scenically fantastic area.

Day 5     Val d’Heas & Cirque de Troumouse

Today we will see some excellent saxifrages, with Saxifraga cotyledon forma pyramidalis and also hybrids with S. paniculata. On the slopes up towards the cirque fragrant Daphne cneorum pygmaea will hopefully still be in flower and there are also Geranium cinereum, Silene acaulis, Orchids, Androsace carnea laggeri, Primula integrifolia, P. elatior, P. veris, Dryas octopetala, Trifolium alpinum and Ranunculus pyrenaeus among many others.

Day 6     Return to Toulouse