The Pyrénées - Wilderness is not a word we are used to associating with Europe, but here in the Pyrénées it's still possible to find it and lose yourself in it a little, be it on foot, bike or canoe and especially exploring by 4x4. It is a truly magnificent region of spectacular mountains, high alpine meadows, pristine rivers and dense forests; spanning from the Bay of Biscay in the west to the warm blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea in the east creating a natural mountain border between France and Spain. For anyone who has a passion for the “great outdoors” it’s a veritable paradise of things to see and do and has been described by many as one of Europe’s last great wilderness areas. Many of the animals that were once numerous across Europe are still to be found here; from wild boar, wolves, lynx, chamois, chevre, mouflon, marmots to an increasing population of Pyrenean brown bear. There are also many birds of prey such as eagles, buzzards, kites, griffin vultures and rare Lammergeyer.

All the regions of the Pyrénées are stunning no matter which time of the year you visit, either in winter snow or summer sun, but the high mountains of the central and eastern Pyrénées to the Mediterranean are renowned for being the best and it is not just the magnificent scenery, historical villages, the food and the wine..... the people are pretty friendly too. We first "Discovered the Pyrénées" ourselves in 1991 in an old 2A Landrover and although since then we have traveled elsewhere to remote regions such as outback Australia, traversed Iceland and visited the wilds of Scandinavia several times whilst enjoying our passion for 4x4 travel and adventure, we kept coming back to the Pyrénées, until eventually we made a life change and left the UK to make Ariège in the Midi-Pyrénées our new home. We have been running Landtreks Adventure Tours from here for several years now.

Although Landtreks is based in the rugged Ariège region of southern France, we venture all over the Central and Eastern Pyrénées regions of France and also Spain and Andorra. Three different countries with several different languages and differing cultures.... they are close together in distance only! We offer a range of tours and adventure mini-breaks for the responsible 4x4 enthusiast, anyone with a passion for "the great outdoors" or those who would just like to see the real Pyrénées on more than any van or coach holiday could possibly offer. We believe we have a tour to suit everyone. Our tours are relaxed, never rushed and always informal; our aim is to show you the parts of the Pyrénées most never see or even know exist...above all we want your time with us to be enjoyable and fun for all... and we strive for that. Our tours pass through some truly dramatic and diverse areas, from high mountain passes, dense forests to winding mountain trails and pass through the most rural of villages; in places it is hard to believe you are still in Europe.

The regions we travel through...

The Ariège nestles in the Pyrénées, next to Andorra, its highest peaks visible from Toulouse. It is one of the least populated, most unspoiled regions of France, whose inhabitants have held fast to their traditions. Numerous species of butterflies, orchids and birds of prey thrive here thanks to the endurance of ancient farming practices an example of which is the annual transhumance (the movement of livestock to higher pastures in summer for good grazing and to the lower valleys in winter for protection from the weather). The Ariège also has more caves than any départment in France, including 13 that were decorated in prehistoric times. We have been to most and let us tell you they are pretty impressive; some of these vast cathedral like grottos can take hours to walk through and one our Landrover is able to drive through (see our Holidays page for more cave information). Far from the centres of power, Ariège has always served as a refuge: for prehistoric man who sheltered in the many caves, for the Cathar heretics who defied the Church, and for resistance fighters, refugees and downed WWII pilots who eluded the Nazis to escape over the mountains into Spain. The countryside is wild but accessible. Top grade trout streams rush down forested mountainsides into rivers where kayakers paddle. Way marked walking trails lead to 3000 metres peaks. Cyclists can take in a stage of the Tour de France, mountain bike down tracks or gently pedal downhill. And in winter, skiers enjoy the uncrowded pistes or strap on "raquettes" to hike the snow covered mountain trails.

The Aude is the next door neighbour to Ariège and is also known as "Cathar Country" and for good reason. It was the centre of the Cathars, a 10th-century dualistic and Gnostic Christian sect and contains some of the most memorable Cathar châteaux sites including Quéribus, Peyrepertuse and Villerouge-Termenès. The summer there is a hot and dry one, which makes it good for the cultivation of the vine and olive-trees. Wine production is extensive across the region (and very nice it is too), and local châteaux and domaines provide free tastings as well as sales of wine and other local produce. Limoux in the upper Aude Valley, is particularly noted for its local wine, Blanquette , a sparkling white wine which is said to have been the forerunner of Champagne and originally made by monks. The Corbières Hills form the central part of the department. This is an area of dissected plateaux and escarpments which form an effective barrier to direct road communication, but not trails. It is a very attractive wild area of steep hills, hidden valleys, woodland and vines. In the north of the Aude lies the medieval city of Carcassonne; it needs little introduction as it is the second most popular tourist attraction after Paris and the largest medieval city in Europe with its walls still intact. It was once a Visigothic city, sister city to Rennes-le-Château, and later a Cathar stronghold. Today it is a World Heritage Site. (see our Holidays page). We visit and enjoy it regularly with our mini-break and day tour guests.

The Pyrénées Orientales region is surrounded to the north by Ariège and Aude, east by the Mediterranean, south by Catalonia and west by the principality of Andorra. Here the Catalan and Occitan languages are estimated to be spoken by more than a quarter of the population. Prior to the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659, most of the present department was part of the former Principality of Catalonia, and it is still sometimes referred to as Northern Catalonia. The region consists of three river valleys in the Eastern Pyrénées mountain range - the Agly, Têt and Tech - and the eastern Plain of Roussillon into which they converge. Being at the edge of the chain don't think they consist of mere foothills.... in between the Têt and Tech rivers stands Mount Canigou, at over 9,100ft one of the most imposing peaks of the chain since it stands out to almost its full height above the plain, dominating the skyline. The main source of wealth in the region is its wine, of which some kinds are strongly alcoholic and others such as Banyuls are in request as liqueur wines. It's warm valleys also produce the first cherries of the season and there are many, many hot sulphurous springs in the area where you can go to bathe.

Andorra a few hours from our base is a small principality set high in the Pyrénées, a little Catalan-speaking island of mountains measuring 468 square kilometres surrounded by France and Spain. Its name is apparently a legacy of the Moors, derived from the Arabic Al-gandûra - 'the wanton woman'. It was created in 1278, in the Act of Pareatge, through which the bishop of La Seu d'Urgell (Spain) and the House of Foix (France) became co-seigneurs of Andorra, that forbid the construction of Castles. These days Andorra is a veritable mecca for shopaholic visitors in search of duty free goods and one of the top ski resorts in the Pyrénées. Outside of the towns the scenery is breathtaking.... a land of green meadows, azure lakes and waterfalls all with mountains towering overhead... We visit it regularly on our tours.

Catalonia (Northern Spain) is an immensely proud and semi-autonomous region of Spain which boasts its own culture and language, age-old customs and festivals, a highly diverse landscape, and internationally renowned culinary traditions. Situated in the north-east of the Iberian Peninsula, it has over six million inhabitants and covers an area the size of Belgium or Switzerland. The Catalonian Pyrenees, part of that spectacular mountain barrier between France and Spain, dominate the entire north of the region, stretching for more than 200 kilometres from Val d'Aran, in the west, to the headland of Cape Creus, in the east, where the last rocky spurs of the Pyrenees, stripped bare by the wind and waves, plunge into the Mediterranean. It is a dramatic land of snow-capped peaks, glacial lakes, wooded gorges and astonishing rock formations, and its flora and fauna is similarly rich

At Landtreks - this magnificent environment that we travel through matters to us. Many of the trails we explore are ancient routes used over generations to gain access to pasture, for forestry or to remote villages... they were built to be used and driven! We now drive and enjoy these ancient trails too, with a tread lightly philosophy ensuring that we preserve them for future generations to enjoy and explore.

• Visiting one of the many caves - there are more in Ariège than any other department in France
• Visiting historical and medieval cities and villages - Carcassonne, Mirepoix, Villfranche-de-Conflent
• Cycling - following the routes of the Tour de France or VTT through the forest trails
• Taking the waters at one of the numerous spa towns - Ax-les-Thermes /Aulus-les-Bains
• At certain times of the year it is actually possible to swim in the Mediterranean in the morning and ski in the Mountains in the afternoon
• Searching out the varied wildlife from praying mantis to the seldom seen Pyrenean brown bears

James & Tessa

"We both thoroughly enjoyed our trip thank you. You really do make a winning team - and your genuine enthusiasm, freshness and fun make all the difference... long may it continue."

Mark & Anna

"Thanks for a nice tour, we had an excellent time and excellent company."

Richard & Jean

"We couldn't have had a better time: we thoroughly enjoyed your company, the routes were great and we'll definitely be back; your tours do exactly as they say - let people coming on them explore the Pyrenees in all their glory and in good company."

Robbie, Carole, Molly & Mike

"What an amazing week we had. Still can't stop thinking about it. just amazing."

Ole Erik & Karen

"We keep talking about the week we spent together in the Pyrenees, and show the pictures and the film to everybody. It was a lovely week!"

Martin, Kerry, Alfie, Maisie and James

"It was a fantastic experience made all the better by your hospitality, enthusiasm and patience with us."

Rich

"I really enjoyed the week again, I wanted to see the mountains in different conditions to last year... See you next year."

Scott

"I would like to thank you both for a excellence time with you in the Pyrenees, the trails and views were the best in the world. Next year I will be on one of your tours in a 90 TD5."

Chris & Mel

"Thanks for giving us such a fantastic time - one of the very best things we have ever done; we'll be back as soon as we are able - YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!"

Sean, Sandie, Hannah, Rebecca & Megan

"Thanks again for the superb holiday, one we will never forget and hopefully do again."

Bill & Clare

"We had a great time and are already thinking of next year."

Stu & Sue

"We thought everything about the holiday was wonderful….the routes you took us on were fantastic. It really did what we wanted."

Nick & Carina

"Thank you for a fantastic trip. It was very much enjoyed by both of us and the only problem was coming home. You both made it a very exciting, interesting, relaxing trip and provided great company."

Adrian & Felicity

"Thank you both for the fantastic time in the Pyrenees. We hope to be back at some point in the future, as we obviously only scratched the surface of what is there."

Barry & Sandra

"Thanks for a great weeks driving - FANTASTIC! We enjoyed the wonderful scenery and good company and benefitted from all your planning and research."

Lorne & Lucy

"Me and Lucy had the best holiday ever, we haven't stopped talking about it since we got back the views were breath taking and the places we went were brilliant."

Ann - Land Rover Monthly magazine

"Just to say thank you for the lovely time we had and the laughs. They were quite pleased to see me back at work much to my dismay and laughed when they saw the photos of us under the influence of wine."

Peter & Jackie

"Absolutely brilliant, not only are you exceptional company to be with, which like you said included the no end of laughs we had, but Helen certainly comes across as the female version of David Bailey. Once again I can only reiterate the exceptional time we had, including the location of all the campsites and the outstanding views. We hope to rejoin you next year for hopefully another truly amazing adventure."

Karin & John

"We both really enjoyed the trekking round through the scenery in the Pyrenees. Many thanks."

John & Elaine

"We had a great time. We both really enjoyed ourselves and commented on the work that you have both put into organising these trips, we do think that you both have worked really hard to make it an enjoyable experience for all.  It was lovely to see you both again."

Andy & Linda

"We had so much fun and a lot of it was due to your wonderful company."

John Lalo & Vicky

"Just want to thank you again for a great trip, it was like a trip with old mates & we enjoyed the laughs & the fact that you know so much about the area, will be coming back next year."

Chris & Steve

"Once again thank you both for a wonderful tag tour, the local knowledge made it all the more interesting."

Sander, Barbara, Bente, Imre & Spud

"Very good indeed, was the tour in the Pyrenees… and the company. Thanks for an excellent week."

Wendy & David

"Thank you both so much for making our stay such an enjoyable one in all respects - your good company and the wonderful views of the countryside. The taste that you gave us of the Pyrenees has already determined us to come back next year."

Phil

"It was great  to see you both again and thanks for looking after me so well. It was a great trip and what absolutely stunning scenery. I have tried to explain to friends what it was like but it's impossible."

Kev Baldwin LRW Magazine & Mud UK

"Just wanted to let you know what a great time we had with you. Thanks for all your help, advice and lifts (!) that made our stay with you such a pleasure. It was really good to see both again."

Ken & Athenie

"Thanks for a wonderful holiday and we'll see you both again soon on another tour."

Sandra & Stephen

"We thoroughly enjoyed the trip and look forward to doing another one."

Many thanks to Rui Martins and his very skilled team of mechanics that make up the service and repair department at Cars Pyrénées the Land Rover main agent in Andorra.

After a flywheel failed, trashing a clutch on a guests vehicle, the team sprung into immediate action and had the vehicle on the ramp whilst we talked and the parts delivered and fitted within two days, allowing our guest to continue and we were soon back on the road or should we say trails... Cheers guys!

A BIG thanks to the editors and staff of the many magazines around the globe, for their support in writing many articles and giving various mentions to Landtreks and ourselves in their publications, including:

Landrover Monthly Magazine

Landrover Enthusiast Magazine

Landrover World Magazine

Landrover Owner Magazine

Motorcycle News

Living France Magazine

The Connexion (France)

and numerous club newsletters.... thanks so much.

A big thanks also to our computer expert, Bruce from MIRAX; an all round fountain of electrical knowledge and general nice guy.

The current web site front page... a collage of photos from Pyrenean Explorer East Tours.