Walking in the Spanish Pyrenees with WalkWise

Impressive Walking:

There are many sides to the impressive walking available here and as we are quite high so we will need the weather to play ball, that’s why we visit early in September which should be a pretty stable time for weather. Most days we will not see many other walkers and some days maybe none. Some days we will be down remote valleys and others high up in the mountains meandering between high peaks and bejewelled tarns. So, to sum up, it’s all you could want in a walking holiday! Hopefully your reward will be unbroken clear views that seem to stretch forever and for it to enjoyed in the great company we are accustomed too.

Each day there will be a minimum of two walks. A moderate one of 8 miles 1,500ft and harder one around 10miles or possibly more and often double or more of that ascent (some hard walks require a good head for heights). Generally when in Europe some of routes may use chairlifts, gondolas, cable cars public and private coaches. On this trip it is mainly on coaches that we will go to the start of the walks. 

Hotel RV TUCA ****, Vielha-Betren

This 4 star offering is set back ever so slightly from the road and the town and is in an ideal location for taking it easy or for engaging in kind of revelry that WalkWise folk might like to do. In this respect there are ample café and bars to engage with and the village has a really nice laid-back feel to it. Also, happily, the hotel is a 100% non-smoking area which alleviates a problem one may from time-to-time experience in Europe and makes sure our living areas and bedrooms don’t have any unwanted smoking odours! Its amenities include free Wi-Fi, 24hrs reception, lifts to rooms, a games room and the outdoor pool which is connected via a covered glass tunnel from the hotel. The restaurant is ideal for us, with so many offerings from the buffet and nice Spanish wines to enjoy.

Provisional Flight information

05/09/2026     London Gatwick to Barcelona Dep: 0810 Arr: 1130

12/092026      Barcelona to London Gatwick Dep: 1215 Arr: 1340

05/09/2026     Birmingham to Barcelona Dep: 0855 Arr: 1210

12/092026      Barcelona to Birmingham Dep: 1245 Arr: 1410

05/09/2026     Luton to Barcelona Dep: 0840 Arr: 1140

12/092026      Barcelona to Luton Dep: 1225 Arr: 1330

05/09/2026     Manchester to Barcelona Dep: 0800 Arr: 1130

12/092026      Barcelona to Manchester  Dep: 1230 Arr: 1410

05/09/2026     Edinburgh to Barcelona Dep: 0555 Arr: 0910

12/092026      Barcelona to Edinburgh Dep: 2020 Arr: 2215

Luggage Allowance

20kg checked in luggage and a small under the seat bag.

NB - Transfers for all flights will be made together so there may be some waiting at the airport required, this is especially the case for the Edinburgh.

Transfer to resort - approx 4hrs

Passport validity

For UK passport holders your passport must be:

• Issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’)
• valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)
• You must check your passport meets these requirements before you travel. If your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date.

Travel Insurance

Please ensure that you have adequate personal travel insurance to suit your requirements in place before you travel. You should get the bracket of insurance between 2,500-2,999m (or 9,840ft) i.e. up to but not including 3,000m

EU Entry/Exit System (EES)

The new Entry/Exit System (EES) will start operations on 12 October 2025. The Entry/Exit System (EES) will be deployed gradually across the external borders of the 29 European countries over a period of 6 months. These European countries will introduce the different elements of the EES in phases, including the collection of biometric data, such as facial image and fingerprints. This means that travellers’ biometric data (facial image and fingerprints) might not be collected at every border crossing point right away, and their personal information may not be registered in the system. Passports will continue to be stamped as usual. 

This progressive implementation will last until 9 April 2026. From 10 April 2026, the EES will be fully operational at all external border crossing points of the European countries using the system.

Further information on the EES can be found on the following link - https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees/ltr

ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System)

Starting in end 2026 UK citizens are required to have a travel authorisation to enter 30 European countries for a short stay. ETIAS travel authorisation is linked to a traveller’s passport. It is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you need to get a new ETIAS travel authorisation.

With a valid ETIAS travel authorisation, you can enter the territory of these European countries as often as you want for short-term stays - normally for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. However, it does not guarantee entry. When you arrive, a border guard will ask to see your passport and other documents and verify that you meet the entry conditions.

NB - There is no official date for the ETIAS currently confirmed but when it is introduced it will be your responsibility to ensure that you have arranged this. We will update everyone when the ETIAS is required with information on how to apply for this online.

Global Health Insurance Card

A UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) gives you the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in the European Union (EU).

UK-issued European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs) are still valid and offer the same cover as GHICs in the EU.

Once your EHIC has expired, you’ll be able to replace it with a GHIC.

NB – A GHIC/EHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance!

The latest FCO travel guidance for Spain -

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain