Would you like to explore the mountains in winter? Discover snowshoeing in the Pyrenees and enjoy the beauty of the mountains covered in snow.
In winter, the Pyrenees are transformed by snow, revealing a quieter, wilder landscape. Snowshoeing allows us to explore snow-covered valleys and forests, visit frozen mountain lakes and discover glacial landscapes. At your own pace, with your family, friends or in a new group… Snowshoeing offers a different way to experience the Pyrenees in winter!
These routes are ideal for anyone looking to experience snowshoeing for the first time. Discover a different way to experience the mountains and walk through snow-covered landscapes at your own pace with our guides. With gentle terrain, these snowshoe walks are perfect for beginners, families and anyone looking for a new winter experience in the Pyrenees.
These snowshoe hikes are ideal for those who want to explore further and enjoy a more active day in the snowy mountains. Accompanied by our guides, you’ll explore mountain trails with gentle ascents and descents that require a reasonable level of fitness while leaving plenty of time to enjoy the scenery. From snow-covered forests to stunning natural viewpoints, you’ll discover the beauty of the Pyrenees in winter and experience the mountains from a different perspective.
Ready to take on a real winter mountain challenge? These snowshoeing adventures are designed for active hikers who are happy to open their own trail through the snow, tackle ascents and explore the wilder side of the Pyrenees. Accompanied by our mountain guides, you’ll hike in rugged mountain terrain, with the goal of reaching one of the peaks in the Sobrarbe region. The effort is rewarded with spectacular views and a real sense of achievement during this winter mountaineering experience.
A multi-day snowshoeing trek is a great way to explore the Pyrenees beyond the usual day routes. Over several days, you’ll travel on snowshoes through snow-covered valleys, cross mountain passes and discover remote areas. Along the way, you’ll stay in mountain refuges, where you can warm up and rest after a day in the snow. Accompanied by our mountain guides, you’ll learn to move safely through winter terrain and experience a quieter, more remote side of the Pyrenees.
The times listed for each activity are approximate and include the full duration from departure to return, and including breaks.
Snowshoes have been used for thousands of years as a way to travel across snow. The oldest known snowshoe was found in a glacier in the Dolomites and dates back to around 3700–3800 BC, making it approximately 5,700 years old. It was made from bones and animal tendons.
Snowshoeing today
Today, snowshoes are made from lightweight plastics and are used with poles to help with balance and movement. Despite these modern materials, the basic design has changed surprisingly little over time. Their simple but effective design allows us to walk across snow without sinking too deeply into it.
Snowshoeing in the Pyrenees
Our routes are chosen to avoid areas at risk of avalanches, which are a concern in the Pyrenees during winter. Depending on the group’s fitness level, we’ll explore valleys in the Sobrarbe region, such as Barrosa, Ordesa or Pineta, but we also offer winter hikes in the Benasque and the Tena valleys. Join us on a snowshoe tour and reach viewpoints overlooking the high peaks of the Aragonese Pyrenees, many of which rise above 3,000 metres.
Personalised snowshoeing experiences
On our snowshoeing tours in the Aragonese Pyrenees, we aim to tailor each route to the people taking part. We organise private groups, allowing our guides to adapt the activity to the needs and interests of each group, couple or family.
Learning about nature
A snowshoeing trip is a chance to discover the natural environment as you explore the mountains. Along the way, our guides explain how the landscape was shaped, introduce you to the local flora and fauna, and help you notice details you might otherwise miss.
The snow also offers a different perspective on the landscape, helping us understand how glaciers shaped the Pyrenees during the Ice Age. At the same time, animal tracks in the snow can reveal which species have passed through. Such as foxes and chamois, or even the endangered capercaillie, a rare bird that inhabits some of the Pyrenean forests.
Snowshoeing routes for all levels
Snowshoeing makes it possible for people of different ages and fitness levels to explore the snowy landscapes of the Pyrenees. You can enjoy an easy walk through the forests of the Ordesa Valley, where children can look for animal tracks and admire the beauty of frozen waterfalls.
Routes for the more adventurous
Snowshoes allow us to reach mountain lakes such as Ibón de Piedrafita in the Tena Valley and Ibón de Plan in the Chistau Valley, both of which are usually frozen at this time of year.
For those looking for a greater challenge, a longer ascent can lead to viewpoints overlooking the snow-covered peaks of the Pineta Cirque. At elevations above 2,000m, we’ll enjoy views over the mountains of the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park.
Want to go snowshoeing in the Pyrenees?
Get in touch to find out more about our snowshoeing activities.
