Wonderful walking

Late August through September

The walking season picks up again as early as late August, with temperatures receding from their summer peaks. September can bring short, sharp showers in the high parts of the valleys, but the landscapes can be at their most beautiful, with reliable sun for the most part. The medieval town of Ainsa, your likely base for a few days, will feel calm and quiet again after a busy couple of months.

It’s always worth remembering that the Spanish Pyrenees have a big contrast of climates between the more humid western hills in Navarre, the higher valleys close to the French border and the very dry Mediterranean foothills in the south. This gives you the flexibility of finding better weather for hiking and touring by heading south on days when the clouds are covering the higher summits.

Autumn forests

October to early November

October into November can be a beautiful and peaceful time in the mountains, with good stable weather being the norm. What makes this time of the year special though is the colours which fill the forests of Navarre, Ordesa and Aigüestortes with beautiful hues of reds, golds and yellows. It’s perhaps the Iberian Peninsula’s finest autumnal display.

Snow begins to build up in the high mountains from the end of October, so we do need to plan carefully and pick our spots if you’re going to be out walking.

Trip idea: Walking Trails of the High Pyrenees
Trip idea: Bilbao to Barcelona: Pyrenees Drive & Explore Holiday