Across the Pyrenees in 40 days - Summer 2002
GR10
The GR (Grande Randonnée) 10 is a long distance footpath which traverses the French Pyrenees from west to east, covering a total distance of about 800km. During the summer of 2002 I (Peter) completed the walk in eight stages (étapes) of three to six days with exrcusions off onto the more challenging Haute Route Pyrenées (HRP) when possible. I walked about half the stages alone and the rest with various friends and relations staying at either mountain refuges, gite d'étapes or, occasionally, hotels. I started under blue skies on the Atlantic coast at Hendaye Plage and finished in autumn sunshine at Banyuls sur Mer, on the Mediterranean five and a half months later.
GR10 - The étapes
Etape 1 - Hendaye Plage to St Jean Pied de Port
An easy warm up stage through rolling hills and pretty Basque villages to get those muscles back into shape.
Monday 22 April 2002
Arrived at Hendaye Plage after a long journey from Toulouse. A glorious day with temperatures well into the 20's. No time to sit and stare as the stop for tonight is Ohlette which, according to the guidebook, is 6 hours 25 minutes away and it is already gone 3 pm!
The first col - the guidebook said not to walk alone, hence the reason for bringing Spot the dog along. The hill in the background is La Rhune, to be challenged tomorrow.
At last, the Gite d'Etape at Ohlette. Arrived at 7.30 after a long, long walk. Quick shower followed by a dinner of soup, sausage and rabbit washed down by a glass ot two of the local red. Lovely spot.
