The Pyrenees
A mountain range between France and Spain, known for the Gavarnie cirque, high summits, long hiking trails and winter skiing.
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France and Spain share most of this range, with the small state of Andorra tucked between them. Close to 500 km long, the chain runs from the Cantabrian Mountains in the west to Cap de Creus on the Mediterranean coast in the east. On the French side, the main draws are Pyrenees National Park, the Gavarnie cirque, near the range's highest waterfall at 422 m, and the Pic du Midi Observatory at 2,877 m.
Summer suits hiking. The GR 10 runs along the northern slopes and the GR 11 along the southern ones. Snow lies above about 1,600 m for at least half the time from December to April, which makes winter the season for skiing and mountaineering. Between walks, the thermal towns of Ax-les-Thermes and Bagnères-de-Luchon, both with hot sulfurous springs, make a slower stop.
The Pyrenees in five
- Pick one valleyValleys are long and slow to cross. Choose Cauterets and Gavarnie, or the Ariège or Roussillon side, and skip trying to see everything.Toulouse
- Check mountain passes in winterHigh passes close in winter, and some roads shut in storms. Check road status before you drive.
- Hike in summer, ski in winterSummer trails open from June to September, depending on snow, and ski resorts run in winter. Check the park and resort sites.
- Add the Camino startSt-Jean Pied de Port sits at the western end and anchors the Camino de Santiago for walkers.St-Jean Pied de Port
- Plan for weatherMountain weather changes fast. Carry layers and avoid high routes in thunderstorms.
Things to do in The Pyrenees
See all attractions in The Pyrenees
Need to know
- Airport
- Pau, Lourdes–Tarbes, Toulouse or Biarritz
- Getting there
- Train to Lourdes, Pau or Foix with onward bus or car
- Getting around
- Car or valley buses; some resort shuttles
- Best base
- Cauterets or a valley village near your trail
- Time needed
- 3–7 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain16 rainy days7 snowy daysHigh4°Low-3°Snow, skiJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 4°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 158 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 7
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, ski
- FebruaryRain12 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh6°Low-1°Snow, skiFebruaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 6°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 115 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, ski
- MarchRain18 rainy days6 snowy daysHigh7°Low-1°Late snowMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 7°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 151 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 6
- Days with storms
- 0
Late snow
- AprilRain18 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh10°Low2°Thaw, mudAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 145 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Thaw, mud
- MayRain21 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh13°Low5°Green, trails openMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 188 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Green, trails open
- JuneRain22 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh18°Low10°HikingJuneRain
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 211 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hiking
- JulyRain19 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh21°Low12°Hiking, busyJulyRain
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 149 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hiking, busy
- AugustRain20 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh21°Low12°Hiking, busyAugustRain
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 137 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hiking, busy
- SeptemberRain16 rainy daysHigh17°Low9°Clear, colorSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 143 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Clear, color
- OctoberRain14 rainy daysHigh14°Low6°Fall colorOctoberRain
Good
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 138 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fall color
- NovemberRain16 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh8°Low1°Early snowNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 163 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Early snow
- DecemberRain13 rainy days6 snowy daysHigh6°Low-1°Snow, skiDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 6°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 164 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 6
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, ski
Average daily high and low in Pyrenees, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in The Pyrenees
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
2
- Feels like
- 0°
- Humidity
- 89%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
The Pyrenees
09:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today7°-2°0%Monday: Clear. High 7°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue3°-4°10%Tuesday: Snow. High 3°, Low -4°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Wed6°-2°5%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 6°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Thu7°-1°34%Thursday: Drizzle. High 7°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 34%.
- Fri8°-3°6%Friday: Clear. High 8°, Low -3°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Sat11°-2°6%Saturday: Drizzle. High 11°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Sun13°5°44%Sunday: Drizzle. High 13°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 44%.
Updated 07:03 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Before you go to The Pyrenees
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Rules for The Pyrenees, checked
- Check passport and entry rules on the French foreign ministry site before you cross, then check Spain and Andorra separately.Source
- Andorra is outside the EU, so its entry rules can differ from those of France and Spain. Check them before you travel.
- Check the rules of Pyrenees National Park and Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park before you hike, including camping and fire limits.
- Check fire restrictions before you light a stove or fire in the mountains.
- About 15 brown bears now live in the central region around Fos. Keep food sealed and out of reach at camp.
Plan around The Pyrenees
The big city gateway from the east
Read the guideSt-Jean Pied de PortWestern gateway and Camino start
Read the guidePerpignan travel guideCatalan France at the eastern end
Read the guideCollioure travel guideA painters' port on the Mediterranean
Read the guideFrench Basque CountryCoast and hills in the west
Read the guideAll of FranceRegions, trains, entry rules and money for a France trip
Read the guideThe Pyrenees FAQ
Is the French Pyrenees worth visiting?
Yes for big views, hiking and quiet valleys. It is more rugged than the Alps and a good fit for slow, active trips.
When is the best time to visit the Pyrenees?
June to September for hiking, January to March for skiing. Spring has snowmelt, and some passes stay closed into May.
Do you need a car in the Pyrenees?
Usually. Valley buses exist, but many trailheads need a car.
Where should I stay in the Pyrenees?
Cauterets or Gavarnie for the central high mountains, or a Basque or Ariège village for quieter days.
How many days do you need in the Pyrenees?
Three days for one valley. A week for two valleys and a long hike.