5-Day Hut-to-Hut Hiking in the Pyrenees

5-Day Hut-to-Hut Hiking in the Pyrenees
5-Day Hut-to-Hut Hiking in the Pyrenees
Trekking experts per destination
Free cancellation up to eight weeks in advance
Quick personal advice

Your 5-Day Trek in the Pyrenees — Five Days of Pure Mountain Freedom, Without Worrying About Routes, Refuges, or Logistics.

Five days in the Pyrenees takes you deeper into the wild heart of the range. You’ll cross high mountain passes, circle glacier-fed lakes, and hike through dramatic valleys where France and Spain meet. With more time on the trail, the rhythm slows down longer stages, bigger views, and that real feeling of being far away from it all. Each afternoon, a mountain refuge awaits. Drop your backpack, enjoy a warm meal, and share stories with fellow hikers as the sun sets behind the peaks. A 5-day hut-to-hut hike in the Pyrenees is perfect if you want a complete mountain experience adventurous, rewarding, and fully taken care of. New to hut-to-hut hiking? Discover the Pyrenees. Short on time? Explore the Pyrenees 3-day hut-to-hut hike. Looking for a balanced adventure? Check out the Pyrenees 4-day hut-to-hut treks.

 12713
12713

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN YOUR 5-DAY HUT-TO-HUT TREK?

Balanced itinerary matched to availability
Finding, booking and paying for the huts and refuges
Half board in the huts, so breakfast and dinner for you
Comprehensive hiking guide in the Bookatrekking App with everything you need
Standby hiking advice from our experts

Expert tip

5-Day Pyrenees Tip: Plan for “wild” days

In the Pyrenees, a 5-day trek often includes longer, more remote stages than you’d expect. Mobile signal can drop, weather can turn fast, and water sources aren’t always reliable late in the season. Download your maps offline, start early, and always carry extra water and a light insulation layer even in summer. It’s the simplest way to keep your trek enjoyable when conditions change.
Laurens de Roos - Area Manager Spain and Portugal
Laurens de Roos - Area Manager Spain and Portugal

The Pyrenees in 5 Days: Here’s Where to Go

A 5-day hut-to-hut trek in the Pyrenees for Beginners:

A 5-day hut-to-hut trek in the Pyrenees for beginners takes you into two of the most scenic corners of the range: Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park in Spain and the Pyrenees National Park in France. On the Half Carros de Foc, you hike between the glacial lakes of Estany de Sant Maurici and the granite peaks of Els Encantats, staying in classic Catalan refuges surrounded by high-altitude estanys. On the Beginner Cauterets Traverse, you explore the valleys above Cauterets, with views toward Vignemale, the highest peak in the French Pyrenees, and walk past iconic spots like Lac de Gaube and Pont d’Espagne. Both routes combine well-marked trails (T1–T2), manageable daily stages, and authentic mountain huts making them ideal first hut-to-hut experiences in the Pyrenees.

A 5-day hut-to-hut trek in the Pyrenees for Intermediates:

A 5-day hut-to-hut trek for intermediate hikers explores the lakes, valleys, and ridges around Cauterets in the heart of the Pyrenees National Park, starting high above the scenic Pont d’Espagne waterfall and winding past iconic mountain waterbodies such as Lac d’Ilhéou, Lac du Pourtet, Lake Nère, and the calm waters near Refuge Wallon-Marcadau along the Marcadau valley. The route weaves through forests, alongside alpine streams, and between glacial basins, offering wide views toward the high peaks around Gaube and the ridges above the Marcadau valley as you stay in welcoming mountain huts like Ilhéou, Wallon-Marcadau, Oulettes de Gaube, and Chalet du Clot. With well-marked T2 trails, steady climbs, and plenty of time to soak in cascading waterfalls, shimmering lakes, and lush high meadows, this trek combines classic Pyrenean landscapes with an accessible yet rewarding five-day adventure.

A 5-day hut-to-hut trek in the Pyrenees for Advanced:

A 5-day hut-to-hut trek in the Pyrenees for advanced hikers explores some of the most dramatic mountain landscapes in Andorra, Spain, and the central Pyrenees. The Coronallacs Traverse in Andorra links remote refuges like Refugi de Sorteny and Refugi de Rialb while crossing high ridges with sweeping views toward Comapedrosa and Tristaina Lakes. On the Hard Carros de Foc, you push deep into Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, negotiating rugged passes and granite valleys between classic Catalan huts amid a sea of glacial lakes. The Porta del Cel route takes you through steep cols and cirques near Pica d’Estats, Catalonia’s highest peak, before a cozy hotel night to cap your journey. Advanced Trekking Molieres traverses wild central Pyrenean terrain around Pico de Salvaguardia, linking high passes, cirques, and alpine valleys. These treks involve long days, significant ascent, and technical terrain, rewarding experienced hikers with unforgettable mountain panoramas and authentic refuge culture.

What Can You Expect from the Mountain Huts in the Pyrenees?

Mountain huts are an essential part of hut-to-hut hiking in the Pyrenees and play a big role in the overall experience. At the end of each day on the trail, you’ll arrive at a welcoming refuge, ranging from larger and more comfortable huts in lively valleys to smaller, more rustic refuges high in the mountains, often run by locals with deep knowledge of the area. Overnight stays are usually in shared dormitories or bunk rooms, with simple but warm facilities and a relaxed atmosphere where hikers gather to share stories over dinner. Meals are typically served as a set menu, with hearty regional dishes in the evening and an early breakfast to start the next day’s walk. With fresh mountain air, sweeping views, and the strong sense of community that comes with refuge life, staying in the huts becomes one of the highlights of a hut-to-hut hike in the Pyrenees.

Frequently Asked Questions: What do you need to know?

  • Which 5-day hut-to-hut trek in the Pyrenees suits my level?

    It depends on your experience and how challenging you want your five days to be. Beginners and families can choose the Beginner Cauterets Traverse (T1) in France or the Half Carros de Foc (T2) in Spain, both with manageable daily stages and moderate elevation gain. Intermediate hikers will enjoy the Tour des Lacs de Cauterets Extension, offering longer distances and more consistent climbing. For experienced mountain hikers, routes like Coronallacs in Andorra, Hard Carros de Foc, Porta del Cel, or Advanced Trekking Molieres provide steeper ascents, rugged terrain, and bigger daily efforts.

  • How difficult is a 5-day hut-to-hut hike in the Pyrenees?

    A 5-day trek in the Pyrenees ranges from accessible to demanding. Beginner routes follow T1 or T2 trails with 0–10 km per day and around 500–1000 meters of ascent. Intermediate options increase the daily distance to 10–15 km with steady elevation gain. Advanced routes, such as Coronallacs, Hard Carros de Foc, or Porta del Cel, can include 15–20 km per day, steep climbs, technical sections (T3–T4 trails), and more than 1000 meters of ascent. Choosing the right level ensures your five days feel rewarding rather than overwhelming.

  • Do mountain huts need to be booked in advance?

    Yes. Hut-to-hut routes in the Pyrenees are very popular in summer, and mountain huts can fill up weeks or even months in advance especially on weekends and during holiday periods. Booking your huts in advance is essential to secure your overnight stays and enjoy a smooth, stress-free 5-day trek.

  • When is the best time to hike hut-to-hut in the Pyrenees?

    The main hut-to-hut season in the Pyrenees runs from June to September. July and August offer the most stable weather and fully staffed mountain refuges. June and September are quieter and cooler, but higher passes on routes like Carros de Foc, Coronallacs, or Porta del Cel may still have snow early in the season. Always check conditions before departure, especially on advanced routes with higher elevations.

Our Top 3 Favorite 5-Day Hut-to-Hut Treks in the Pyrenees

Our Top 3 Favorite 5-Day Hut-to-Hut Treks in the Pyrenees


Looking for the best 5-day hut-to-hut treks in the Pyrenees? These three routes show the full range of what this mountain range has to offer. One is a beginner-friendly classic through lakes and forests, another takes you into the granite heart of Aigüestortes, and the third is a demanding high-mountain traverse in Andorra. Five days, three completely different mountain experiences.


1) Beginner Cauterets Traverse – 5 days

The Beginner Cauterets Traverse is the perfect introduction to hut-to-hut hiking in the Pyrenees. Starting and finishing in the charming town of Cauterets, you hike through alpine valleys, past crystal-clear lakes, and along well-marked trails in the Pyrenees National Park. The daily stages are manageable, making it ideal for beginners and families who want a relaxed but authentic mountain experience.

  • Ideal first hut-to-hut experience
  • Scenic lakes and gentle mountain terrain
  • Perfect for beginners and families

👉 View Beginner Cauterets Traverse – 5 days


2) Half Carros de Foc – 5 days

The Half Carros de Foc takes you into the dramatic granite landscape of Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park. Expect high mountain passes, deep-blue alpine lakes, and classic Catalan refuges. It’s a shorter version of the famous Carros de Foc loop, offering the highlights in five rewarding days. Ideal if you want a more rugged feel without committing to the full circuit.

  • Highlights of the famous Carros de Foc
  • Granite peaks and glacier-fed lakes
  • Balanced challenge over five days

👉 View Half Carros de Foc – 5 days


3) Coronallacs Traverse – 5 days

The Coronallacs Traverse in Andorra is a demanding circular route linking four iconic mountain huts. You cross high ridgelines, glacial valleys, and exposed sections with wide Pyrenean views. Steeper ascents and longer distances make this a true mountain adventure for experienced hikers looking for a tougher 5-day challenge.

  • High ridges and panoramic Andorra views
  • Steeper climbs and rugged terrain
  • For hikers seeking a serious 5-day challenge

👉 View Coronallacs Traverse – 5 days

Reviews