If you’re looking to escape the everyday and wander past backdrops of turquoise lakes, lush valleys, shimmering glaciers and snow-capped mountain peaks, then we’ve hand-crafted even more majestic mountain moments for you to enjoy in 2023. Sometimes escaping the fast-paced city for remote mountain villages and coastal retreats with sweeping mountainous views is the perfect way to unwind, hitting the reset button for a fresh new year ahead. And what better way to do this than on our brand new, hand-crafted itineraries, that take you into the heart of the Pyrenees mountains, coastal paths in Catalunya overlooking the Mediterranean and new sections of the spectacular Tour du Mont Blanc.
On our Walking the Best of the High Pyrenees holiday, you’ll begin your journey in the beautiful Pyrenean mountain town of Cauterets with its thermal springs, before heading to Pont d’Espagne to admire its stone bridge and picturesque waterfalls. After a brisk hike through hushed pine forests, you’ll come upon one of the most striking views in the High Pyrenees: the towering Vignemale mountain reflected in the piercing blue Gaube Lake.
The following day, you’ll discover the impressive Embarrat and Pourtet lakes, located almost 7,000 feet up in the Pyrenees National Park. Soaking in panoramic views of the granite needles of Castet-Abarca, you’ll enjoy an enchanting walk through the Marcadau valley, which many claim to be one of the world’s best walks. After an overnight stay in Gavarnie, you’ll venture up to the Bellevue plateau and the natural amphitheatre of Cirque du Gavarnie, which boasts incredible waterfall vistas that will undoubtedly be etched into your memory for a lifetime. But the most impressive view of all will be from the aptly named Grande Cascade, the tallest waterfall in France, and one of the largest in Europe, boasting a single drop of 281 meters! Taking in wildflower meadows of the Cirque, you’ll make your descent to Héas, passing an intricate 16th-century pilgrimage chapel enroute before wandering down the historical ‘Chemin des Muletiers’ (the ‘Muleteers’ Path’) to Maison d’Hoursentut for your final evening.
On our Mediterranean Pyrenees Coastal Walk from Collioure to Cadaques, you’ll encounter vibrant pastel-coloured fishing villages and idyllic coastlines that inspired the famous artistic movement of ‘Fauvism’. Characterised by intense colours and fierce brushwork, emerging artists including Henri Matisse, Etienne Terrus, André Derain, Aristide Maillol and Daniel de Monfreid abandoned Impressionism and embraced Fauvism, which they felt truly reflected the sheer beauty of Collioure.
During every day of this exquisite walking holiday, the choice is yours whether you want to explore the coastal trails or the foothill walks, simply follow our detailed trip notes and enjoy exploring from place to place at your own pace. Beginning in the enchanting old fishing port of Collioure, you can choose the flower-lined Coastal Walk that follows Cap Bear, towards Paulilles Beach or enjoy the Foothills Walk that takes you over the mountains, where you can make your ascent to Madeloc Tower for spectacular views overlooking the Spanish Border and plains of Roussillon.
The foothills walk then takes you along ancient stone walls from Banyuls to Cerbere, offering breathtaking views of the higher Pyrenees. Next, the foothill route guides you along pilgrim paths to the chapel of Helena and the Monastery of San Père de Rodes and even higher to San Salvador Castle. If you opt for the Coastal Walk, you can visit the beautiful Garbet beach and the Sarnella lighthouse. This route also gives you ample opportunity to wander around the sleepy white village of Port de la Selva, which has remained largely untouched by the passing of time.
If you’re keen to discover the panoramic trails of one the oldest treks in the world, but in less time, then our brand-new, compact, Mont Blanc Walks – Short Break is the perfect choice for you next year. Imagine breathing in the fresh mountain air while enjoying the views of huge glaciers, snow-capped peaks, and mirrored lakes. While in the evening, you can enjoy unwinding with a glass of champagne in the jacuzzi and sauna of the traditional Hotel le Faucigny in Chamonix, your charming base for this 5-day trip.
Taking in the best parts of this 170km trail that circumnavigates the Mont Blanc massif, you’ll hike along the trail across Les Aiguilles Rouges which faces Mer de Glace, North Face of the Grandes Jorasses, Aiguille Verte, and Mont Blanc. You’ll also walk across sections of the Aiguillette des Posettes trail that offers outstanding views of the Chamonix valley and the Emosson Dam out to Switzerland. On your last day, you’ll have time to take a cable car to Aiguille du Midi at 3,842m to soak up one final panorama of the French, Swiss and Italian Alps.
If this has inspired you to explore more mountainous moments with Headwater, take a look at our new collection of hand-crafted itineraries here. Or find out more about our other mountain-based trips here.
