10 ideas for a Pyrenees summer holiday
Perhaps one of the most underrated holiday destinations in all of Europe is the Pyrenees Mountain Range, as this part of the continent combines thrilling outdoor adventures with jaw-dropping landscapes, all with relaxing bars and restaurants dotted across the region’s historic towns and villages.
The Pyrenees Mountain Range, which is located along the France-Spain border, right where the microstate of Andorra is found, has endless possibilities for fun, as visiting the Pyrenees in the summer is a guarantee that you’ll enjoy a memorable time.
Pyrenees summer weather: What is the best time of year to visit the Pyrenees?
Although the Pyrenees is known around the world as being a top-class winter holiday destination, with the Andorra ski resorts especially popular, it’s also well worth visiting the Pyrenees in summer. You can have just as much fun on an Andorra summer holiday as one in the winter.
Although some may be unsure about the Pyrenees summer weather and even wondering ‘Do the Pyrenees have snow in summer?’, the truth is that the climate in the Pyrenees in the summer is sunny and warm. In terms of what is the temperature in the Pyrenees in July, the average low in Andorra, in the heart of the mountain range, is 11.4°C in July, while the average high is 26.2°C in July in the Pyrenees summer. Plus, there are just three days of rain on average in the month of July, so sunny Pyrenees summer holidays are absolutely possible.
As for the question of where to go in the Pyrenees in summer, there are beautiful villages and towns in the Spain section of the Pyrenees, in the France section of the Pyrenees and throughout the principality of Andorra. Each of these countries has its unique attractions, so it’ll depend on your specific preferences for your Pyrenees summer family holidays.
Pyrenees summer family holidays: 10 ideas for Pyrenees summer activities
To help you decide where is the best region for your Pyrenees summer holidays and to provide some Pyrenean inspiration, below we’ve put together a list of 10 ideas to add to your Pyrenees itinerary, highlighting a few of the locations where these activities can be carried out. These 10 ideas for Pyrenees summer activities are as follows:
● Hillwalking: Hillwalking is by far the most popular activity in the Pyrenees in summer. While many hikers embark on multiple-day routes that pass through this mountain range, there are also many day walks you can do before returning to the same bed at night in your Pyrenees accommodation. The Bouillouses Lake or the Néouvielle Nature Reserve are popular places on the French side, while a favourite for Pyrenees summer family holidays is Andorra’s Ruta del Ferro, an easy 4.2km walk through nature and through the principality’s industrial past.
● Cycling or mountain biking in the Pyrenees: For thrill-seekers who want to descend a slope as quickly as physically possible, the skiing of the Pyrenees winter turns into mountain biking in the Pyrenees summer. Throughout the mountain range, there are excellent cycling and mountain biking trails, such as at the Pal Arinsal Bike Park. The fact that France’s Tour de France and Spain’s Vuelta a España often hold stages in the Pyrenees speaks to the passion for cycling in this part of the world, especially in the summer months.
● Spend time at a natural park: In the Pyrenees Mountain Range, you’ll find natural parks where some of the most majestic landscapes house the most fascinating wildlife and plant species. Visitors have multiple options, as there is the Pyrenees National Park in France, one of the nature sites closest to Lourdes, or the Sorteny Valley Natural Park, a fascinating spot with a wealth of history and science.
● Wildlife spotting: Related to the above, it truly is worth exploring the immense variety of wildlife of the Pyrenees in the summer. In the central Pyrenees in particular, the relatively unexplored nature of the terrain means animals live in their natural habitat, from brown bears to red deer to chamois, a type of goat-antelope that is native to the Pyrenees and mostly found on the French side. It is recommended that you head out with a tour guide if incorporating wildlife spotting into your Pyrenees summer family holidays.
● Canyoning: Another suggestion is to try canyoning in the Pyrenees in summer, sliding down the heavenly natural water slides of this paradise region to splash into the crystal-clear pools. Few activities manage to combine adrenaline-pumping adventure with relaxing bathing quite like canyoning.
● Play at Europe’s highest golf course: The highest golf course in all of Europe is located in the Pyrenees, specifically in Andorra. If you visit the Soldeu golf course, which is located at 2,250m altitude, you’ll forever be able to say that you played one of the most distinct rounds of golf ever.
● Explore the culture of the Pyrenees’ charming towns: While most Pyrenees summer family holidays have fun and outdoor activities as the priority, it’s also worth taking a break from time to time, to catch your breath and to immerse yourself in the region’s rich cultural heritage. There are so many picturesque villages worth spotting, from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France to Lanuza in Spain to Ordino in Andorra. Take your time to wander through the cobblestone streets and to discover the local traditions.
● Al fresco dining in the Pyrenees: There might be no better way to take in the Pyrenean landscapes than with a meal. Whether you’re in the French, Spanish or Andorran part of the Pyrenees, the cuisine is exquisite and you’ll come across Pyrenees summer restaurants where you savour the high-quality gastronomy al fresco.
● Pyrenean paragliding: The only way the awe-inspiring scenery of this part of the world could become even more epic would be with a bird’s eye view. That’s why many visitors to the Pyrenees opt for a paragliding experience, to gain a totally different perspective. There are many sites for this, especially in the Louron Valley in the French Pyrenees.
Horseback riding: Another way to view the Pyrenees from above, but not nearly as high as paragliding, is on horseback. There are many centres that organise horseback rides along the scenic trails of this most unique mountain region, creating unforgettable memories during your Pyrenees summer family holidays.