The 14 best outdoor activities to do in the Pyrenees

Need adrenaline? The Pyrenees are a real playground! Here is a selection of outdoor activities to be done in the Pyrenees.

The exceptional setting offered by the Pyrenees is conducive to adventure. This splendid playground offers you all the possible and imaginable sensations, so to have a good dose of adrenaline. In the Pyrenees you are both at the sea, in the countryside and in the mountains. Imagine all outdoor activities in the Pyrenees.

If you are passing through the region, come and experience new experiences in these beautiful wilderness areas. Whether solo, duo, family or friends, here is a selection of the best outdoor activities to do in the Pyrenees.

1. Rafting and canyoning

Born in the Pyrenees, canyoning is the number one outdoor activity in the Pyrenees. The rivers are full of natural rapids and slides. There are countless sites where to make canyoning here. But what better place than the emblematic circus of Gavarnie , in the Upper Pyrenees, to learn about canyoism?

The rafting also offers you unique sensations. Take the oxygen and pick up the rapids. Discover the delights of the descent into bright waters and enjoy this total change. Strong senses guaranteed!

2. Canoë-kayak

The Pyrenees are driven by countless rivers and streams. In such a context, live water sports are a true tradition. Canoe-kayak is one of the best outdoor activities to do in the Pyrenees.

Pyrenees-Orientales, Ariège , Hautes-Pyrénées or Haute-Garonne, you have full view. Nature lovers, no matter where you are, the sensations and joys of canoeing are within reach!

3. Stand up paddle

With a lifejacket, we quickly trust the paddle. The time of a day in the open air is total. This outdoor activity in the Pyrenees is user-friendly, and therefore perfect to share with family.

Come explore majestic sites such as Lake of Loudenvielle or Tech, in the Hautes-Pyrénées. The preserved valley of the Pyrenees with its perched villages will make the happiness of sports enthusiasts. Splashes and bursts of guaranteed laughter!

4. Paragliding

The Pyrenean massif is a suitable place for paragliding. At the level of the French-Spanish border, this outdoor activity in the Pyrenees is a way of discovering the mountains, valleys and peaks that jalign the massif.

Beyond the breathtaking view, the paragliding offers freedom of flight and contemplation time. It’s about letting you be guided by the air currents and enjoying the landscapes that offer you. Whether you are beginners or confirmed, trainings are available to you to make the most of the activity according to your desires.

5. Helicopter

In the heart of Regional Natural Park of the Pyrenees come to experience an unforgettable experience during a helicopter flight! A breathtaking panoramic tour is ideal for mountain lovers.

Admire the monuments or picturesque villages of the terroir from the air. You're going to board a flight from the Pyrenees that should delight you. You will only have to appreciate the beauty of the landscapes that defy under your eyes.

6. ATV

Put your feet on earth, and it’s gone for new adventures. If you’re a sports and forest fan, the mountain bike is the outdoor activity to do in the Pyrenees that matches you!

The Pyrenees offer one of the most beautiful playgrounds in Europe for mountain bike enthusiasts and strong sensations. Imagine descending from beautiful tracks well traced in the middle of the forests with the high mountains in the backdrop. In short, it is the dream environment of any veterinarian.

7. Hiking

Unmissable places are sometimes even more beautiful when they are visited on foot. This is why hiking is one of the best outdoor activities to do in the Pyrenees.

The Pyrenees offer a wide choice of hiking circuits for all levels and desires. Go and resent Pic du Canigou , this splendid site will not leave you indifferent. From a half day to a week’s stay in autonomy, you will undoubtedly find shoes at your feet.

Hikers and pilgrims but above all in love with nature, it is also in the Pyrenees that we find the paths that lead to the famous site of Santiago de Compostela .

8. Quad ride and buggy

This is an original way to visit the Pyrenees while enjoying the rich heritage of the region. Spread a quad or buggy is to explore the landscapes of the region sometimes little known because not accessible by the road.

This practical and fun way of transport allows you to discover wooded paths and other campagnard paths. You are sure to have strong sensations in a beautiful natural setting. You are free to choose a hike with a guide or simply rent a quad to create your own walk.

9. Escalade and via ferrata

The Pyrenees concentrate one of the largest number of climbing spots in blocks, cliffs, or mountain tracks. This mountain range of southwest France is perfect for climbing sports. Whether it’s climbing, via ferrata or a hook-up, the Pyrenees have to fill your desires.

Breathtaking landscapes, diversity of culture and surprising stories await you in the Atlantic Pyrenees, the Oriental Pyrenees and the Hautes-Pyrénées. In short, climbing is one of the best outdoor activities to do in the Pyrenees.

10. Ski

There are almost 40 ski resorts in the French Pyrenees. So if you like winter sports, here’s the mountain range you need! You will find a station that meets your expectations: uncommon, user-friendly, large station, or a family station.

If you are a melted powder and powder off track , the Pyrenees will offer you satisfaction. In skiing, snowboarding or snowshoeing, you have at your feet the ideal snowshoeing and exceptional geographical location.

11. Chien de traineau

Imagine yourself in the middle of winter walking the mountains on your train, pulled by beautiful Siberian huskys. The landscape worthy of a postcard defies your eyes. You live a dream so much that the cold is no more than a detail. Get rid of yourself, you are neither of them Lapland and Canada But in the Pyrenees!

The sled dog is an outdoor activity to do in the Pyrenees. Both traditional and sporty, it is the perfect combo between natures and sensations.

12. Ice dive

If you are looking for an unprecedented and exciting experience, here is what you need. Ice diving is a real sensory show that promises a unique and stimulating adventure. The Pyrenees are filled with lakes suitable for this type of activity.

Boxed by a professional, only the cold will hold the most careful. What are you waiting to launch? In France, Spain or Andorra The Pyrenean lakes are waiting for you!

13. Spéléologie

Make a speleology outing in the Pyrenees in the heart of the most beautiful caves and cavities in the region. In Ariège, Hautes-Pyrénées, or Pyrénées Orientales, whatever your level, push back your limits.

Don’t be afraid, throughout your exit, a monitor frames you. It will adapt to your physical condition and guarantee a safe progression.

14. Jump to elastic

Do you like strong sensations and extreme sports? Run into the void and discover the best spots in the region from another angle. The jump to the elastic is inevitably one of the best outdoor activities to do in the Pyrenees.

Jumping to the elastic is a child’s dream. Enjoy this moment of pleasure and this sensation of flying. In addition to the maximum dose of adrenaline, this moment is all the more smoky and intense in a grandiose landscape. It falls well because the Pyrenees are full of extraordinary places whose landscapes are breathtaking!

Now that you know everything, there is only to start!