The Best Places for Trail Running in the Pyrenees
Where to Trail Run in the Pyrenees
The Pyrenees, consisting of the French and Spanish Pyrenees, have ample opportunities for trail running of all styles. From rolling green hillsides of grass and wildflowers, such as the trails around the Bagnères-de-Luchon to the granite wonderland of Parc Nacional d'Aigüestortes, there’s something for all runners here. If you’re looking for the best trail running in Spain, look no further than the Spanish Pyrenees. Just ask Kilian Jornet, who recently completed an epic adventure across the Pyrenees. If you haven’t seen his photos on Strava, yet, we highly recommend checking them out!
Our Recommendation for the Best Trail Running in the Pyrenees
We’ve tried our hardest to create the best trail running tour in the Pyrenees. We combine some of the most beautiful villages in the Val d’Aran, from Vielha to an overnight stay along the route at a village voted as one of the most beautiful in Spain. We also explore the best mountain trails for running in the French and Spanish Pyrenees, visiting areas such as Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park in the Catalan Pyrenees, views of Aneto, and other gems of the Val d'Aran. Our trail running holiday is offered in guided and self-guided format from June through September, which is the best time to visit the Pyrenees for trail running. We stay in comfortable hotels (some with spa and wellness center access) and one night in a curated mountain hut. With baggage transfer throughout the point-to-point running route, all you need to carry is a lightweight running hydration pack. Join us on our running holiday in Spain on our guided tour summer 2024. Interested in a self-guided version? Just get in touch!
What are the Trails like in the Pyrenees
On our trail running vacation in the Pyrenees we try and combine runnable routes with rolling downhills as well as tough days in the mountains with steep climbs in order to get the best views of the area. Above is an elevation profile of our 2nd day on the trail, featuring rolling trail in the middle with a steep opening and closing couple of miles. There are runnable trails on the trip with smoother trails, but most of the best and most scenic trails in the Pyrenees are categorized as technical mountain trails featuring rocks and roots with tough climbs and rewarding views. To see the best views and most spectacular landscapes of the Pyrenees, you need to run on these mountain trails. Want to see what it’s like to trail run in the Pyrenees? Come for a run with us on posted on our YouTube Channel in the Pyrenees that you’ll discover on our guided trail running tour this summer.
How to Arrive to Val d’Aran Pyrenees
Our trail running tour begins in the charming mountain village of Vielha, Spain. Vielha is one of the main hubs for trail running in the Pyrenees and hosts numerous races, including Val d’Aran UTMB. If you hope to catch the epic finishes, just arrive for our Pyrenees Runcation a few days early to catch the cheers, bells, and excitement in the heart of town.
Vielha is reached by car, train, plane, or bus. The closest major international airports are Barcelona, Spain (350km away) and Toulouse, France (166km away). If you’re arriving from the U.S., the cheapest airfare tends to be into Barcelona, Spain with more flights and opportunities for connections from different cities. From Barcelona, it’s easy to rent a car or take an ALSA bus. Timetables and prices are available online. For more details on how to arrive to Vielha, Spain, visit this page.