Snowshoeing in the Pyrenees

We offer everything from a day snowshoeing with your personal guide to week long snowshoe expeditions. On this page you will find all the information you need.

Far from the hussle and bussle of the pistes we offer you the chance of a pure wilderness experience. Discover the real mountains, the wildlife and the adventure of exploring away from the trodden paths with an experienced and qualified guide.

As guides we believe that our job is to provide you with an insight to the flora and fauna of the winter mountains, to journey where you would hesitate to venture yourself and to experience the beauty of the winter wilderness in the security that a guide brings with them.

Our trips are not about peak bagging (although we will visit some summits) they are about taking our time to appreciate a magical wilderness alien to most people. We will have the chance to see the life of the wildlife through sightings of the animals and birds as well as understanding their life through looking at their tracks and traces left visible in the snow. If we are lucky we should see sign from wolves, wild boar, deer, Isard (Pyrenean Chamois), fox, squirrels, pine martin and many others. The bird life includes eagles, vultures, woodpeckers, crossbills, finches and more. We venture deep into the snowcovered forests, cross mountain plateaus dotted with frozen lakes and visit easily accessible summits to take in the incredible panoramas.

We visit a selection of areas in the local Pyrenees Orientales mountains making the most of our knowledge to get the best out of each days walk and to keep each day a little different in terms of terrain, environment and views. Depending on the trip you choose we spend one or more nights of the trip in a remote mountain refuge (optional) where the guardiens will cater for our evening meals surrounded by the beauty of the winter wonderland and giving us the time to appreciate it, before returning to civilisation. On the last day of the week we can visit one of the local hot springs where you can soak up the healing benefits of the thermal waters before heading back to base in our vehicles.

The walking is not very strenuous as the pace is kept very steady to ensure that you don't overheat or get too cold, however, to get the most enjoyment out of this trip we recommend that you should be comfortable walking for 4-5 hours a day carrying a small daypack. 

The Altitude Adventure Three Countries Snowshoe Adventure

1150 euros per person

Date- 9th March 2018 to 16th March 2019 guaranteed to run

The ultimate snowshoe adventure.... One week 3 countries and an adventure not to be missed!!

If you have a group and would like other dates please don't hesitate to get in touch and discuss your plans/ wishes with us.

Maximum number of participants is limited to 7 clients to ensure a very high level of service and client care.

For an idea of the clothing and equipment needed please click on this link for your printable kit list - Click Here.

Dates:

For booking forms and deposit payments please click on the "Info" menu at the top of the page.

Come and experience the extraordinary beauty of this winter wilderness in the hands of an experienced guide.

Three Countries Snowshoe Tour itinerary

Saturday- Arrive Barcelona and transfer to the Mouli del Riu, Saint Pierre dels Forcats. Welcome meeting and dinner.

Sunday- Introduction to snowshoeing in the Pyrenees Orientales. Snowshoe walk with picnic lunch and workshop on using the mountain safety material (Transponder, probe and shovel). Dinner at the Mouli.

Monday- Snowshoe walk with barbeque lunch in the mountains if weather allows. Dinner at the Mouli.

Tuesday- Day one of the Three Countries Tour. About an hour drive into Spain gets us to our starting point at the mountain village of Viliella, 1580m. We head up the Vall de la Llosa, crossing the Port de Vallcivera 2517m to the Refuge de l’Illa, 2488m perched high in an isolated valley in Andorra. Dinner and breakfast are at the refuge.

Wednesday- Day two of the Three Countries Tour. Using a different route we briefly cross back into Spain before heading up to the Montmalus lakes and unmanned refuge for lunch. After lunch we climb to the Collada de Montmalus,  2707m with the option of summiting the Pic de Montmalus 2782m before dropping down to the ski station of Grau Roig where we will be picked up for the short transfer to our hotel for the night in Pas de la Case, Andorra. If all goes to plan we should be in time for some duty free shopping or a drink and tapas before dinner in our hotel.

Thursday- After breakfast in our hotel we walk straight out of our hotel into the mountains where we cross the border back into France and head up the Pic de Pedrons, 2717m. This mountain has great views of the chain of the Pyrenees heading both East and West and makes a great objective. At the end of the day we will arrive back in Pas de la Case where you will be able to enjoy a well-earned drink before our transport runs us back to the Mouli del Riu for dinner.

Friday- After a leisurely breakfast you have a number of options available. We can head to the hot springs for a soak, nip across the border to the town of Puigcerda for lunch or make the most of the local skiing for a day on the slopes. Dinner is out in one of our favourite local restaurants to celebrate your week’s achievements.

Saturday- Breakfast is at the Mouli and then transfer back to Barcelona airport for your homeward journey.

Price for the week- 1150 euros per person

Send Enquiry

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The Altitude Adventure Introduction to Snowshoeing long weekends.

480 euros per person

For available dates please contact us....

This is an introduction to Snowshoeing and will give you a fantastic experience, getting you out into the backcountry of the Pyrenees while learning how to snowshoe. 

Your trip will be based at the Mouli del Riu guest house with Altitude Adventure, with Full-board accommodation based on twin or double en-suite rooms and with one night being spent at a mountain refuge.

The trip will be lead by fully qualified and experienced local English guides (us), who have extensive knowledge of the area to make sure you get the most of your time there.

Thursday – Arrive at Barcelona Airport where you will be collected and transferred to Mouli del Riu

Friday – Day trek introducing you to walking on snowshoes and the beauty of the winter wilderness.

Saturday – Day trekking heading for the Camporells lakes and Refuge, looking out for wolf tracks on the way. Roughly 11km depending on the exact route chosen.

Sunday – Climb the "Sierra de Mauri" on our way back out of the mountains to the ski station of Formigueres for our afternoon pickup. Trip to the hot springs and night back at the Mouli. Roughly 8km depending on the exact route chosen.

Monday – Return to Barcelona for you flight home.

You don’t even need to buy lots of kit, It can be hired from Outdoorhire at a discounted rate…

Click on this link for your printable kit list - Click Here

Dates:

For booking forms and deposit payments please click on the "Info" menu at the top of the page.

Send Enquiry

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The Altitude Adventure Snowshoeing Hut to Hut long weekends

550 euros per person

For available dates please contact us....

This is an introduction to Snowshoeing and will give you a fantastic experience, getting you out into the backcountry of the Pyrenees while learning how to snowshoe. 

Your trip will be based at the Mouli del Riu guest house with Altitude Adventure, with Full-board accommodation based on twin or triple en-suite rooms and with one night being spent at a mountain refuge.

The trip will be lead by fully qualified and experienced local English guides (us), who have extensive knowledge of the area to make sure you get the most of your time there.

Thursday – Arrive at Barcelona Airport where you will be collected and transferred to Mouli del Riu

Friday – Trek up the stunningly beautiful "Accordion" valley heading for Lake Bouilliouses and the Club Alpine Francaise Refuge. Roughly 6km depending on the exact route chosen.

Saturday – Follow the shores of the frozen Lake Bouilliouses heading for the Camporells lakes and Refuge, looking out for wolf tracks on the way. Roughly 11km depending on the exact route chosen.

Sunday – Climb the "Muntanyeta" (2400m) and then the "Sierra de Mauri" on our way back out of the mountains to the ski station of Formigueres for our afternoon pickup. Trip to the hot springs and night back at the Mouli. Roughly 8km depending on the exact route chosen.

Monday – Return to Barcelona for you flight home.

You don’t even need to buy lots of kit, It can be hired from Outdoorhire at a discounted rate…

Click on this link for yourr printable kit list - Click Here

Dates:

For booking forms and deposit payments please click on the "Info" menu at the top of the page.

Send Enquiry

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Come and experience the extraordinary beauty of this winter wilderness in the hands of an experienced guide.

Day guiding individual or with a group

Throughout the season we can offer day guiding for those who wish to experience the winter wilderness with a guide.

You can reserve as an individual onto one of our programmed outings or choose a day that suits you and reserve your exclusive day experience.

Individual or group price with personal guide- 180 euros (max 8 clients)

These private days are planned individually with the clients matching their wishes with our extensive knowledge of the region to ensure a memorable day out.

Snowshoe rental 10 euros per day.

Contact us to reserve your day or with any other questions.

Kit List for the Altitude Adventure Snowshoe trips

Click on this link for your printable kit list - Click Here

Suitcase or Duffel bag 90 – 100ltr

Backpack for day use 30ltr even better if it has ways to attach your snowshoes

Waterproof Shell Jacket

Lightweight waterproof shell trousers

2 or 3 long sleeve thermal tops

1 pair thermal bottoms

2 or 3 pairs of warm hiking socks

Winter hiking trousers

Mid layer insulated jacket

Warm Down or similar duvet jacket

Thermal liner gloves

Insulated outer gloves / Ski gloves. I poss 2 pairs

Warm beanie hat

Sunglasses

Goggles

A Buff is good

Good quality walking boots. Not shoes, trainers or moonboots.

Gaiters to keep the snow out

Thermos and water bottle

Suncream Factor 40/50 (one between 2 is enough)

Lip salve Spf

Gel hand wash (one between 2 is enough)

Sheet sleeping bag liner or light weight sleeping bag for the night in the refuge. Blankets to keep you warm are provided by the refuge.

Casual wear for the holiday

Casual shoes/ trainers

Slippers for inside

Swimmers for the Jacuzzi and Hot Springs

Small pack towel

Normal wash kit and personal medical supplies

To help you with your packing we have teamed up with Outdoorhire, the specialists in renting outdoor equipment and clothing for expeditions and holidays.

Click "here" to follow the link to a list of products that they can rent to you for this trip.