New Year's Eve in the Bardenas Reales, in troglodyte houses...

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Sunday 27: Pau - Valtierra, gates of the Bardenas Reales desert

  

  Meet at 1:30 pm at Pau airport if you request it, otherwise at 2:30 pm at Pau SNCF train station. Welcome by our guide, then transfer to Navarre crossing the Pyrenees from North to South. Great variety of landscapes throughout the transfer. Arrival in Valtierra, at the gates of the Bardenas Reales desert. Welcome and check-in at the troglodyte houses. Transfer: private vehicle, about 3 hours 15 minutes. Accommodation: troglodyte house. Meals included: dinner. Meals not included: breakfast - lunch.

• day 2

  Monday 28: Rincon del Bu Nature Reserve - Pilatos Balcony (465 m)

  

  Discovery of the southern part of the Bardenas Blancas, in the Rincon del Bu nature reserve. Through a succession of canyons with pink, ochre, and grey colors, where the constant flight of vultures adds a special atmosphere to the scenery, ascent of the Balcon de Pilatos, an unusual summit offering a breathtaking view of the entire desert, a true Arizona steppe. Then descent through the "valley of the Moon" and discovery of the Valfondo canyon, a superb labyrinth bordered by earthen walls. Transfer: private vehicle, about 40 minutes. Walking time: about 5 hours 30 minutes. Positive elevation gain: + 360 m. Negative elevation loss: - 360 m. Distance: about 15 km. Accommodation: troglodyte house. Meals included: breakfast - lunch - dinner.

• day 3

  Tuesday 29: Bardenas Reales - Tripa Azul (630 m)

  

  From the southern part of the Bardenas, departure on the transhumance path used since time immemorial, "la Cañada Real de les Roncalles". Then, among the ochre rocks of the cliffs, a small trail winds its way through the walls to reach the ruins of the Estaca castle, a strategic point once used to watch over the surroundings. The route continues along the ridge, on a crest of clay and marl; the viewpoints and landscapes are grand and of great beauty! The cliffs, depending on the angle of the sun, reveal their marbling in different shades of pink, gray, ochre, and blue! As for the viewpoints, they offer a complete view of the Bardenas Blancas with its canyons, its tormented geological formations, its scrubland areas, and its colorful agricultural fields... a true kaleidoscope of colors! Transfer: private vehicle, about 50 minutes. Walking time: about 4 hours. Positive elevation gain: + 300 m. Negative elevation loss: - 300 m. Distance: about 12 km. Accommodation: troglodyte house. Meals included: breakfast - lunch - dinner.

• day 4

  Wednesday 30: Vedado de Eguaras Nature Reserve - Barranco Grande

  

  Departure of our hike from the northern part of the Bardenas Blancas to reach the Vedado de Eguaras Nature Reserve. This nature reserve is the only area of the Bardenas that remains wooded with pines of whimsical and sometimes endemic shapes, such as the Yeuse pine. Hidden within it is the castillo (castle) of Peñaflor (12th century). A sublime discovery around the bend of the trail... The remains of the castle are spectacularly balanced on a rocky promontory and still majestically dominate the surroundings; legend says that Princess Blanca was locked up by her husband because of her many infidelities. Next, ascent of the Punta de la Estroza (462 m), a vast plateau flown over by vultures, a fabulous viewpoint over the vast plains and ravines of the Blanca Baja as well as the tormented reliefs of the Blanca Alta. Descent into the Barranco Grande to discover the earth cliffs and corridors with tormented shapes... Grandiose atmosphere! For dinner, "Tapas evening" at the friendly restaurant in Arguedas; tasting of typical dishes from Navarre and Spain in general. Transfer: private vehicle, about 40 minutes. Walking time: about 5 hours. Positive elevation gain: + 250 m. Negative elevation loss: - 250 m. Distance: about 17 km. Accommodation: troglodyte house. Meals included: breakfast - lunch - dinner.

• day 5

  Thursday 31: Ralla Valley, a true labyrinth of clay dunes - New Year's Eve meal

  In the heart of the Bardenas, set out to discover the most characteristic canyon of this unusual desert: the Ralla valley. This valley is emblematic, both for its 2 exceptional peaks, the Rallon (500 m) and the Piskerra (468 m), and for its maze of clay dunes forming a true labyrinth. An exceptional route, an unforgettable day... with, as a bonus, an exceptional meal to celebrate the New Year. Transfer: private vehicle, about 1 hour. Walking time: about 5 hours. Positive elevation gain: + 300 m. Negative elevation gain: - 300 m. Distance: about 17 km. Accommodation: troglodyte house. Meals included: breakfast - lunch - New Year's Eve dinner. Note: due to the health crisis, the New Year's Eve dinner will take place in a room privatized for the group; your guide will be in charge of table service.

• day 6

  Friday 01: Bardenas - Pau - End of the stay

  

  Return transfer to France via the pretty medieval village of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Free visit of the village and continuation to Pau train station; arrival scheduled around 3 p.m. Transfer: private vehicle, about 3 hours 45 minutes. Visiting time: about 1 hour 30 minutes. Meals included: breakfast, lunch. Meals not included: dinner.