Your walk from
Saint Jean Pied de Port to
Etsaut

This is one of our toughest trails. You'll want to be comfortable walking 18–20 km a day in steep mountain terrain with a daypack and over 1,000 metres of ascent on the bigger days. Days 3, 5 and 6 each climb more than a thousand metres, and the section's high point at the Pas de l'Osque includes a short scramble with a fixed cable. The Explorer pace at nine days gives you the climbs at a slower rhythm, which most walkers find more sustainable than pushing through on Hiker pace.

June to September is the trail's best window — long days, dry paths above 1,500 metres, and the high passes clear of snow. Late May and early October are workable but the higher cols can still hold snow into early June and the autumn weather closes in fast. November to April we don't recommend: the route crosses ground above 1,900 metres, the shepherds' huts close, and most of the village accommodation along the way shuts for winter.

Yes — your bag is moved between accommodations every walking day, up to 20 kg per bag. You walk with a daypack carrying water, lunch and waterproofs. One thing worth flagging: a few of the higher stops (the cabane above Pierre-Saint-Martin, the refuge at L'Abérouat) are only reachable on foot, so on those days the transfer goes to the next village instead and your overnight bag stays with you. We'll set this out clearly in your trip plan.

Small mountain hotels, family-run gîtes d'étape, and traditional auberges in the villages along the route — Auberge Logibar, the Hotel Andreinia at Estérençuby, family inns at Lescun and Etsaut. On the two highest nights you'll stay in a refuge with shared dorms and an evening meal cooked by the gardien; private rooms here are usually not available. Every other night is en-suite, with breakfast included.

Yes — the GR10 is well-waymarked with red-and-white blazes the whole way, the cols are obvious, and you'll meet other walkers most days in season. The two long-climb days (Logibar to Senta and Senta to La Pierre-Saint-Martin) have stretches of an hour or two where you might not see anyone — fine in good weather, worth checking the mountain forecast before you head up. We book single rooms with a single supplement; the refuge nights are dorm-shared but otherwise straightforward.

Our Classic package starts at £889 per person for the seven-day Hiker pace, based on two people sharing. That covers accommodation, breakfast every morning, baggage transfer where possible, a route pack with maps and notes, and 24-hour support. On the trail, budget around €30–40 a day per person for lunches, drinks and evening meals — auberge demi-pensions tend to be the best value and include a hearty mountain dinner. Refuge nights cost a bit more for the dinner-and-breakfast combo.