The first hiking day we will travel by car to our starting point from where we will be traversing across mountain tops around Punta Suelza. The terrain will be rocky and challenging at times, but we will only need to carry our day packs as the rest of the equipment will be delivered to us to the Refugio de Urdiceto. We will be camping there for the first night. We will be sleeping in tents and cooking our meals outdoors. 

The second hiking day will be a little bit shorter and more relaxed. We will have time for some yoga and meditation. From this day we will carry our full backpacks to our next destination, the Refugio the Tabernés. 

On the third day, If the conditions allow us, will be our big summit day in the spectacular Natural Park of Posets and Maladeta. We aim to admire the beautiful Gistain valley and the great Pyrenean mountain range from the heights of the famous three thousand meter peak: Bachimala. 

After our long and demanding summiting adventure we will return to the Refugio de Tabernés, where we will collect the gear we didn’t need that day and finally get a ride back to Casa Cuadrau. On that evening we will enjoy a well-deserved rest and a delicious dinner. On the next morning we will be joining a magical Tea Ceremony followed by an abundant brunch to finish this adventurous and mindful retreat.

Our autumn long trekking retreat will be a bit more of a demanding adventure this year. We are going to explore the beautiful Gistain valley and the Natural park of Posets and Maladeta. We will be surrounded by some of the highest peaks in the Pyrenees mountain range. We will walk our own path away from other crowded and more popular hiking routes. We will sleep in our tents next to some of the best open shelters in the area (refugios).

Day 1

We will have an early morning start at Casa Cuadrau and drive to the Gistain Valley. Our destination will be very close to Pico la Parda at 2000 meters above sea level. This is where we will start our adventure on foot. 

We will start straight up in the high mountain terrain. During the first kilometers we will not be gaining too much height, but as soon as we reach the ridge line that leads to Punta de Suelza, the terrain changes to become a bit more challenging and we will gain some altitude. We will reach 2972hm as we summit Punta de Suelza. Afterwards we will continue northwards and will be slowly moving downwards. There will be less than three kilometers to reach the shelter, but we will still be on demanding high mountain terrain. On the west side we will be able to admire the beautiful Ibon de Urdiceto and the Refugio Urdiceto (2370hm) which will be our destination for the night. 

Day 2

The second day will be lighter. We will have the opportunity to contemplate nature, practice some yoga and meditation. For a short while we will follow the transpyrenean hiking route GR11. Soon we will leave it and take a smaller path up beautiful green forests. We will be admiring the high peaks of the Natural Park of Posets and Maladeta in front of us. We enter the park just before we start descending down towards the high plateau of Tabernés (1700hm) and reaching our destination for the day, the Refugio de Tabernés.  

Day 3 

If weather conditions allow you, on our third day we aim to summit Bachimala, a stunning mountain top that rises up to 3177hm. This is a long and demanding hiking day and we will need to get up very early. We will do this hike with our day backpacks and leave all the unnecessary gear in the Refugio. 

We will have approximately 8km and 1400 hm upwards to reach the top. The views up from the ridge line of this mountain are just amazing. The actual summit of Bachimala is exactly on the border between Spain and France, so you can send your greetings and Bonjours to the neighbors while admiring the mountains spreading across these two countries. From here the mountain tops in the North and East belong to France and the Spanish ones spread around in the West and South. 

After summiting we will get back to Tabernés from where we will be picked up and ride 

back to Casa Cuadrau for a refreshing shower, a tasty dinner, and a good night’s sleep in a proper bed. 

The weather and other unforeseen conditions could naturally have a big impact on the possibilities and the decisions made during the trekking. Safety is always the number one priority. Daniel could therefore alter the plan up till the last moment if needed. 

Day 1 

Route Difficulty: Moderate to challenging

Total distance: 9 km.

Elevation: +1,080 m. – 630m.

Total walking time: 7h.

Type of Terrain: Rocky high mountain terrain, alpine and mountain hiking paths

Day 2 

Route Difficulty: Easy

Total distance:  10 km.

Elevation: +240 m. – 880m.

Total walking time: 4h.

Type of Terrain: Unmarked trails for most of the route with irregular terrain

Day 3

Route Difficulty: Challenging

Total distance: 16 km.

Elevation: +1,360 m. – 1,360m.

Total walking time: 11h.

Type of Terrain: Rocky high mountain terrain, alpine and mountain hiking paths

Parts of this route comprise technical terrain.

They help us to understand, through experience, our deep connection with nature. It makes us notice in each step and in each breath, that the energy that exist inside us it is just the same as the energy that exists out there.

Nature is our greatest teacher. Silence and deep listening helps us enrich the experience She offers.

What is the level of difficulty of the journey?
The level of difficulty is medium. It may include sections with certain challenges.

People with little mountain experience, and a good physical condition, had no problem doing it.

Do you need to be well trained or is it something more relaxed?
You need to have a good physical condition and some experience in this kind of physical activity.

How many hours are we expected to walk per day?
About 8 hours per the day, including pauses for meals, interpretation of nature, etc. Approximately there will be around 6 hours of active walk.

The time of activity in the mountains can always vary depending on the conditions of the group and/or the weather.

Will the trek be very difficult and with big differences in elevation?
Technically they are not very difficult. However, you should to take into account the hours of walking and occasional steep slopes, both positive and negative.

Where will we sleep?
In mountain shelters or shepherd’s huts (without services of any kind) and, if weather is favorable, in bivouacs.

Does everyone carry their backpack (including tents) or will they be carried to the destination every day?
Everybody will carry their backpack with their personal equipment (clothes, sleeping bag, mat, etc …) and food, which will be distributed among the whole group. Sleeping bags and collective material (stoves, pots…) and dinner and breakfast will be carried on the first and last day of the trekking. Only on the second day we will have to carry all the material and food, which will be distributed among the entire group. The second day is easier, with less elevation gain and distance to cover.

How much weight will we have to carry?
To a large extent, the weight you will carry depends how much you stick to the proposed “what to wear” list. If you limit yourself to this list and you carry light technical equipment, the backpack should not weigh more than 8-10 kg, including the weight of the food supplied by the team.

Is the trek in silence?
In the mornings, we will try to cultivate joyful silence, especially when walking. However, in the interpretative stops, breaks, etc., we will have time to share experiences.

Will we practice yoga daily?
Before the breakfast we will have a short meditation. Before leaving for the daily walk and after arriving to our next camping spot we will spend a few minutes practicing Yoga asanas or Qigong to stretch and relax the body.

A moment of silence to connect with nature, with yourself and with the group. Sharing a bowl of “living tea” we deepen all the richness that dwells in “the way of tea” (Cha Dao).

We give ourselves the opportunity to make from something ordinary something extraordinary and full of meaning.

Including what we wear on the first day of the trek.

• 1 Light trekking footwear (sneakers or boots)
• 1 flip flops or crocs to rest the feet
• 1 summer trekking trousers (1 short or convertible and a long 3 seasons)
• 2 T-shirts (one on and a spare)
• 1 Underpants/panties
• 2 Pairs of socks (trekking)
• 1 pijama (or whatever you wear to sleep)
• 1 Thermal vest, merino or polyester
• Windbreaker jacket with gore-tex membrane or similar. Down jacket or similar
• Raincoat or poncho (ideal for Summer)
• Hat or cap
• Buff, hat and gloves
• Swimsuit (optional)
• Waterproof or plastic bag for dry clothes
• 2 plastic bags for dirty or wet clothes
• A pair of zip-loc bags for utensils (torch/batteries/camera)

• Technical trekking backpack (55 L minimum.): Once you have put all your things, there must be at least 10 liters of free space for the food of the 3 days that we will supply you.
• Light and warm sleeping bag. (nights at 2,500 m altitude can be cold) . We recommend you to bring a good sleeping bag down or synthetic. Approximate temperature range recommended: 1C ° comfort, Transition -5 °, Risk: -18 ° C

Others

• Light and insulating mat (Yoga mats are NOT appropriate)
• Razor
• Sunglasses
• Water bottle or Hydration Bladder Bag (min. 1,5 litre)
• Headlamp
• Sunscreen
• Trekking poles (optional, but very recommendable)

If you lack some of the necessary equipment, at Casa Cuadrau we have good quality sleeping bags and backpacks for rent.

• Simond Feather Bag or similar 0*C comfort temperature: €45 for the entire trekking.
• Trekking backpack of high quality comfortable and light: Woman 50lts.+ Man 60 lts.+: €35 for the entire trekking.

Check availability of these services by email (ops@casacuadrau.org) or WhatsApp at: 645 830 346.