Ax-les-Thermes is placed 2300 feet up in the Midi-Pyrenees in Southern France – close to Andorra & Spain. It is stunningly surrounded by dense mountains, meadows and rivers.

The town is besides from being a mountain-spa-town, and legendary for its many warm sulphur springs, also the primary frontier for walking holidays in the Pyrenees Mountain.

Walking Holidays in the Pyrenees Mountains

From this spot you will have access to the ridges of the lesser hills, as well as the high peaks, which takes you towards icy lakes & rough ground. The most preferred areas include: Col de Puymorens, the Col de Pailheres & the Ariege Pyrenees.

The Pyrenees are significant mountains, & the weather conditions shifts rapidly, so attend to them with respect. Always find out the weather forecasts before you venture out and make sure you are well prepared and equipped. Good walking shoes or hiking boots is important. If you aren’t accustomed to mountain walking, do yourself and the local rescue team a favor: get a qualified guide!  Your wonderful encounter with nature could turn into a nightmare unless you do.
Roaming about the Pyrenees by foot is satisfying for bird-watchers who are likely to see vultures and eagles, & if plants are your thing, you can catch sight of more than 3000 varieties of plants.

Apart from walking in intoxicating surroundings the area of Ax-les-Thermes has a lot more to offer. Being extremely close to Andorra – getting across the border for shopping or a visit to the casino is a possibility. So is visiting the palace at Montsegur approximately 40km aside.

When you are staying in Ax-les-Thermes it is almost an obligation to dip your human body in the Bassin des Ladres, the warm sulphurous water pool, which is said to have restorative powers.

Reaching Ax-les-Thermes can be done by road or train. The railway station is on avenue Delcasse & you can get direct night train from the French capital. The closest airports are Toulouse Blagnac and Carcassonne.

Just an advice: walking holidays in France are addictive! When you have done it on one occasion – you may well long to return as quickly as possible. Most visitors do.