Thanks for all the info!
I’d say I’m more there for walks than photography. Photography is an excuse for me that makes me go on hikes in beautiful places!
My current thought is to head down to Gavarnie after my flight lands. Then stay a night somewhere near there, then head down to Spain via a route that gives me a hike or two in France.
I may just book a few nights accommodation and book the rest when I’m there.
Is phone signal ok around there?
Phone signal is mint to be fair. Better than UK by a mile.
If it’s hiking you like the Ordesa Valley offers a lot so your plan to stay in Broto makes sense.
I did the first part of the Faja de Pelay yesterday-total lung buster and would much rather have been able to drive but the view is mega and if you actively like hiking it’s the one. The views a total 10/10 so I put myself through that walk time and time again...
There’s other walks in the Ordesa Valley that are long but not so steep.
The trail in Gavarnie village is fine but maybe a bit padestrian - I like the Pic Du Tentes walk. Not arduous but mega views. You can scare yourself silly and do the Breche de Rolland walk and hike into Spain but that’s for experienced mountaineers. Gavarnie hotel wise is expensive-I stayed in the hotel Terminus in Luz St Saviour and it was fine but a hotel of a better calibre costs literally half in Spain.
The Ossau Valley has a lovely walk up to the Ayous refuge - not hard but not a stroll either - do it on a still day and get there to the refuge for sunset (it might be closed so it’s a head torch job back to the car) - from there just drive to a hotel in Spain via Formigal...don’t stay in Laruns. Rip of central and the road to Spain is very nice to drive on.
The Tena Valley - there’s heaps there - the Ibon de Piedrafita is a nice walk easy but more than a stroll. There’s lots more though like the walk to the refuge respomuso - I’ve not done it yet because I need a still day to get reflections at a lake a little beyond this - and it’s a 3hr hike each way so I want to be confident what’s waiting for me is worth it.
You’ve got the Ibon de Estanes walk. Looks easy but not found a day still enough. There’s the Ibon de Acherito walk but you guessed it - not found a day still enough.
There’s a website that gives heaps of info on the area. It’s geared up for hikers though not dedicated photographers but it’ll help you plan great hikes!
https://www.excursionesporhuesca.es
If you click on my social media pages and website (blog and galleries) you can see what the place is all about.
My feeling - having done the Dolomites albeit briefly is that the Pyrenees are better. Less spoilt, due to their unique geology a real feast for the eyes and just a really special place you’d want to call home.
