HRP - Haute Randonnée Pyrénéenne
Description
- Name HRP - Haute Randonnée Pyrénéenne (HRP)
- Length in days 45 days
- Start of trail Hendaye
- End of trail Banyuls
- Traildino grading DW, Difficult walk, bushwalk
- Hut tour grading T3, Demanding mountain walk
Hendaye - Banyuls, Pyrenees, 45 days
The crossing of the Pyrenees is very rewarding, as every single hiker who made it will make clear.
The HRP, Haute Randonnée Pyrénéenne or Pyrenees High Route was essentially the creation of one man, Georges Véron, the Alfred Wainwright of France. With approval of the Club Alpin Français he knit toghether many mountain trails, réfuges and gîtes, resulting in a continuous trail from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean.
We have three trails then, doing the same thing:
- the GR10, staying most of the time in the middle reaches of the Pyrenees
- the GR11, doing the same as the GR10 but on the Spanish side, a bit more strenuous
- the HRP, staying in the high mountains but avoiding climbing or glacier crossings.
The trail set out by Véron is difficult. Well into july you must be prepared to overcome snow in gullies and on steep slopes, which necessitates the use of crampons and ice axe. Then his scheme of 45 days is almost impossible to cope with, but for the very very fit. Facilities are better than on the high routes in the US, but austere compared to the Alps. Therefore people usually hike parts of the trail. Thru-hiking is the exception. There is no such social thing as in the US around the big hikes like the Continental Divide Trail or Pacific Crest Trail, which is a pity. A few European hikes really cater for this standard, among them the Via Alpina and the Haute Randonnée Pyrénéenne.
Opinions

- Bjørn Forselv June 2019
- Rate 10

- Patrick Mahaffey July 2007
- Rate 10
- Positive Alpine scenery, wild flowers, good directional signage, meeting French hikers, comfortable huts, crossing national borders.
- Negative Need for carrying cash to pay for all of huts.
Hike Reports

-
Family Hike Along the HRP
- Patrick Mahaffey July 2007
- In July 2007, my wife and I and our 2 teenage daughters spent over a month in England and France. The highlight of the trip was the week we spent hiking part of the HRP. We hiked about 70 km over 8 days from Etsaut to Gavarnie; most of which was...

Photo Albums

More photos albums…
Links
Facts
- Durch die wilden Pyrenäen - auf dem HRP (German)
Alle Etappen des oft anspruchsvollen und wildem HRP beschreibe ich auf meiner HP. Mit einigen interessanten Varianten und vielen Fotos...... und allen Informationen die gebraucht werden.
- Information on Hiking Trails - the Pyrenees (French)
Short introduction to three of the popular trails in the Pyrenees: GR10, Sentier Cathare and HRP.
Reports
- Trekking the Pyrenees by the HRP: trek variants, the GR10, the GR11, & the HRP for discovery of Pyrenean mountains
This website will be an important guide for you when crossing the Pyrenees via the high route. The authors did the entire trail over the years.
- ALDHAWest
This is the opionion of some Americans who hiked as much of the HRP as possible in one go.
- Cimes et Sommets - Pyrénées - Bienvenue (French)
These guys hiked part of the HRP and GR11 in Spain. Read their trip tips and trip diary.
- le blog hrp (French)
To cite the impossible: this French guy finished the 800 km's or so of high mountain trails in 23 days. Here's his blog.
- Le HRP (French)
The author of this page definitely prefers the High Route over the GR10. He describes his tour in 42 stages.
- Photo Gallery Travel Log Trekking Walking Pyrenees Trekking Trail Pyrenean Trail Atlantique Val d´Aran Cataluña (HRP GR10 GR11)
Beautiful pictures.
- Pyrenean Haute Route 2004 - De La Salle Scout Group Expeditions Series
This is an account of the completion of one of the Pyrenean Haute Route's most spectacular sections from Lescun to Gavarnie by brothers Aidan and Colm Ennis in September 2004.
- Pyrenees 2006 - Peewiglet's Photos
Smugmug's fine photo Album of a part of the HRP, between Borce and Gavarnie. "It was an absolute revelation. Sunshine, beautiful scenery, a profusion of lovely flowers, lizards and wee creatures".
- Pyrenees « Writes of Way
Pete set out to walk the length of the Pyrenees by means of the HRP. In Merens-les-Vals he gave up, but lucky for us he left his story and pictures for us to enjoy.
- Randonnée en Montagne (French)
Pierre Chaumeil finished a good deal of the GR10 and HRP in the Pyrenees and all of the GR20 in Corsica. His trail journals and pictures are here.
- Transpirenaica
A useful and inspiring website: this Polish guy thru-hiked the Pyrenees in 2004. You can follow his stages and see his pictures.
- Transpyrénéenne (French)
Looking for extremes? Run the HRP!
- Travelling on foot
If you need more opinions on doing the HRP (or not) and how, read this one.
Guides and maps
Lodging
Organisations
Tour operators
GPS
Other
Books
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
2019
- The Pyrenean Haute Route
- There are three main trekking routes across the Pyrenees from coast to coast: of these, the Pyrenean Haute Route (or HRP for Haute Route Pyreneenne) is the most challenging - and arguably, the most spectacular. Unlike the GR10 and GR11, it is not waymarked and borders on mountaineering at times, sticking as closely as possible to the main... Read more

Netherlands
2019
- Wandelgids Pyrenean Haute Route - a high level trail, Pyreneeën HRP | Cicerone
- Guidebook to trekking the Pyrenean Haute Route, which zigzags across the Franco-Spanish border, staying close to the main ridge in the highest and most spectacular central Pyrenees. It covers 750km with over 40km of ascent, so is suitable for experienced mountain walkers only. The largely unwaymarked route is presented in 45 stages. Read more

United Kingdom
- Ordesa y Monte Perdido Parc Natural map and hiking guide 2018
- Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park at 1:40,000 on a GPS compatible recreational map in an extensive and very popular series from Editorial Alpina, including a booklet with English language descriptions of several walks, climbs, etc.Contours are at 20m intervals, with relief shading and altitude colouring. An overprint highlights waymarked... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom

United Kingdom
- Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park Editorial Alpina
- Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park at 1:40,000 on a GPS compatible recreational map in an extensive and very popular series from Editorial Alpina, including a booklet with English language descriptions of several walks, climbs, etc.Contours are at 20m intervals, with relief shading and altitude colouring. An overprint highlights waymarked... Read more

United Kingdom
- Monte Perdido Macizo de / Valle de Ordesa / Pineta 2019
- Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park at 1:25,000 in a set of two GPS compatible recreational maps in an extensive and very popular series from Editorial Alpina, providing more detailed coverage of this popular hiking area.Contours are at 10m intervals, with relief shading and vegetation colouring. An overprint highlights waymarked PR hiking... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
- Macizo de Monte Perdido - Valle de Ordesa - Pineta Editorial Alpina
- Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park at 1:25,000 in a set of two GPS compatible recreational maps in an extensive and very popular series from Editorial Alpina, providing more detailed coverage of this popular hiking area.Contours are at 10m intervals, with relief shading and vegetation colouring. An overprint highlights waymarked PR hiking... Read more

Netherlands
- Wandelkaart 08 Macizo de Monte Perdido - Valle de Ordesa - Pineta | Editorial Alpina
- Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park at 1:25,000 in a set of two GPS compatible recreational maps in an extensive and very popular series from Editorial Alpina, providing more detailed coverage of this popular hiking area.Contours are at 10m intervals, with relief shading and vegetation colouring. An overprint highlights waymarked PR hiking... Read more

Netherlands
2012
- The Pyrenean Haute Route
- The Pyrenean High-Level Route is probably the most beautiful, spectacular and challenging trek in the Pyrenees. Unlike the GR10 and GR11, the trek from Hendaye to Banyuls-sur-Mer crosses the French Spanish border many times, exploring both sides of the mountain range and staying as close as possible to the main ridge of the Pyrenees. The 800km... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium

Belgium
2012
- The Pyrenean Haute Route
- The Pyrenean High-Level Route is probably the most beautiful, spectacular and challenging trek in the Pyrenees. Unlike the GR10 and GR11, the trek from Hendaye to Banyuls-sur-Mer crosses the French Spanish border many times, exploring both sides of the mountain range and staying as close as possible to the main ridge of the Pyrenees. The 800km... Read more

United Kingdom
2010
- The Pyrenees
- The High Pyrenees from the Cirque de Lescun to the Carlit Massif Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- Bol.com, Netherlands
- Bol.com, Belgium
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
2010
- The Pyrenees: The High Pyrenees from the Cirque de Lescun to the Carlit Massif
- The Pyrenees is accomplished walker Kev Reynolds’ large-format Cicerone guide to one of Europe’s most famous and impressive mountain ranges. The guide gives a valley-by-valley description of the High Pyrenees from west to east and is a very useful reference to help identify the best locations for walking, mountaineering, skiing and climbing.... Read more

Netherlands
2010
- The Pyrenees
- A resource book covering the finest walks, treks and climbs in the High Pyrenees for 400km between France and Spain, from the Cirque de Lescun, on the edge of the Basque country in the west, to the Carlit massif and the Cerdagne to the east of Andorra. The book is divided into five regional chapters: the Western Valleys; Cirques and Canyons;... Read more

Belgium
2010
- The Pyrenees
- A resource book covering the finest walks, treks and climbs in the High Pyrenees for 400km between France and Spain, from the Cirque de Lescun, on the edge of the Basque country in the west, to the Carlit massif and the Cerdagne to the east of Andorra. The book is divided into five regional chapters: the Western Valleys; Cirques and Canyons;... Read more

Netherlands
2010
- Wandelgids - Klimgids - Klettersteiggids The Pyrenees | Cicerone
- A resource book covering the finest walks, treks and climbs in the High Pyrenees for 400km between France and Spain, from the Cirque de Lescun, on the edge of the Basque country in the west, to the Carlit massif and the Cerdagne to the east of Andorra. It is the first in our World Mountain Ranges series. Read more

Netherlands
- The Boy and Me
- The Boy and Me is a no holds barred account of a father and son's extraordinary walk as they struggle and muddle their way through a perilous distance trek with an edge... June 2006. Steve and his son, Michael, set out on a journey that will take them on one of the most demanding long distance treks in Europe - the HRP (Haute Randonee... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium

Belgium
- The Boy and Me
- The Boy and Me is a no holds barred account of a father and son's extraordinary walk as they struggle and muddle their way through a perilous distance trek with an edge... June 2006. Steve and his son, Michael, set out on a journey that will take them on one of the most demanding long distance treks in Europe - the HRP (Haute Randonee... Read more
Maps

United Kingdom
- Senda de Camille circular trek 2018
- Een topografische wandelkaart van de Senda de Camille, een meerdaagse tocht in het centrale deel van de Spaanse Pyreneeen met een deel in Frankrijk. Parque Natural de los Valles Occidentales - Huesca Pargue Nacional de los Pireneos Francia Op de topografische wandelkaart worden o.a. berghutten, campings aangeduid en hoogtelijnen, ingetekende... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
- La Senda de Camille Editorial Alpina
- La Senda de Camille, the Pyrenean Bear Trail, a 104-km circuit in the central Pyrenees, on a contoured GPS compatible map at 1:25,000 from Editorial Alpina, plus a booklet providing information on mountain refuges. The route, which crosses over from the Spanish side to the Parc National des Pyrénées in France and incorporates part of the... Read more

Netherlands
- Wandelkaart La Senda de Camille | Editorial Alpina
- Een topografische wandelkaart van de Senda de Camille, een meerdaagse tocht in het centrale deel van de Spaanse Pyreneeen met een deel in Frankrijk. Parque Natural de los Valles Occidentales - Huesca Pargue Nacional de los Pireneos Francia Op de topografische wandelkaart worden o.a. berghutten, campings aangeduid en hoogtelijnen, ingetekende... Read more

United Kingdom
- Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park 2-Map Set Editorial Alpina
- Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park at 1:25,000 in a set of two GPS compatible recreational maps in an extensive and very popular series from Editorial Alpina, providing more detailed coverage of this popular hiking area.Contours are at 10m intervals, with relief shading and vegetation colouring. An overprint highlights waymarked PR hiking... Read more

United Kingdom
- Tour of the Canigó Hiking Circuit
- A 64-km long tour of Canigó (Canigou), the highest mountain in the eastern Pyrenees, presented by Editorial Alpina on a contoured, GPS compatible map at 1:25,000, with a booklet providing descriptions of its recommended stages.The map has contours at 20m intervals, enhanced by relief shading. The tour which follows sections of the GR10, the HRP... Read more

United Kingdom
- Vignemale - Valle de Bujaruelo Editorial Alpina
- Cross-border area of the Pyrenees at 1:25,000 on a contoured and GPS compatible map covering on the Spanish side the valleys of Bujaruelo and Ara with the western section of the Ordesa National Park and the Ordesa Valley, and within France extending from the Vignemale Massif to Gavarnie, plus a Spanish/French booklet with recommendations for... Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

Netherlands
- Wandelkaart 06 Vignemale - Valle de Bujaruelo | Editorial Alpina
- Zeer gedetailleerde wandelkaart van een klein deel van de Spaanse Pyreneeen / Catalonie. Met ingetekende wandelroutes en andere informatie. Spaanstalig, maar uitstekende kaart. Met symbolen voor campings, hutten. Book Language: Spanish •Hiking map and guidebook •Scale 1:25.000 •Equidistance contours: 10 m distance •Master contours: at 50 m... Read more

United Kingdom
- Central Pyrenees terraQuest Trekking Map
- The central part of the French Pyrenees on a waterproof and tear-resistant, contoured and GPS compatible map at 1:50,000 from terraQuest, highlighting hiking trails, campsites and refuges, etc. The map is presented in a special format handy for conveniently viewing just small sections of it at one time.Coverage extends north to the towns... Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

Netherlands
- Wandelkaart Trekking map Central Pyrenees - Pyreneeën | TerraQuest
- The central part of the French Pyrenees on a waterproof and tear-resistant, contoured and GPS compatible map at 1:50,000 from terraQuest, highlighting hiking trails, campsites and refuges, etc. The map is presented in a special format handy for conveniently viewing just small sections of it at one time.Coverage extends north to the towns... Read more