Snow finally arrived to the Pyrenees last week so we took advantage of some great weather Saturday to get out onto the snow for the first time this season. Rafa and I headed up to the border at Portalet which is a great place for snow-shoeing, skiing and generally messing around on the white stuff to do the peak of Canal Roya (2231m).

Rafa at Portalet at the start of the day

We took our snow shoes in the boot but from the car the snow looked quite thin with a lot of areas cleared by the wind so we headed off just in boots. After half an hour we realised this was a bit of a mistake as we made our way through plenty of thigh deep drifts!

There were quite a few people out enjoying the fantstic blue skies – about a third had just boots, a third on snow shoes and a third on skis. It was still a bit bare for skis I thought with a lot of rocks poking through the snow.

Pic du Midi d'Ossau and Pic Peyreget

It’s a great route in the winter and not too steep. You are right by Midi d’Ossau and you get great views of this iconic peak. Hike Pyrenees guests will recognise Pic Peyreget to the right of Midi d’Ossau which is a popular route on our Peaks & Passes and Valley de Tena Explorer holidays.

On the summit of Pic de Canal Roya

The summit lies on the Spanish-French border and has great views over the Valle de Tena, Valle de Aragon and Valley d’Ossau. Lovely to see all the summits covered in snow once again.

Summit views to the west

On the way down we saw a small group of sarrios (chamois) silhouetted on the ridge just above us. It’s a good time of year to spot them as they tend to congregate on any clear patch to feed and if they are crossing the snow they are really easy to spot.

Sarrios or chamois

It was a great day out – not too strenuous at 10.5 km and 600m of ascent but a good start to the winter season. More snow is forecasted this week and I’m looking forward to getting out again next weekend.