Haute Randonnée Pyrénéenne

The Haute Randonnée Pyrénéenne (HRP) is a long-distance trail in the Pyrenees.

Like the GR 10 and the GR 11, the path travels the length of the Pyrenees from coast to coast. However, where the GR 10 and GR 11 stick mainly to lower routes and mountain passes on the French and Spanish sides of the border respectively, the HRP follows a high course through the mountains, frequently crossing the border to follow the highest walkable route. It is an unmarked trail, usually done from west to east, which takes about 45 days to complete for an average hiker. It crosses the Parc National des Pyrenées and the Parc nacional d'Aigüestortes i Sant Maurici. Many variations on the original route are possible and described in the guidebook, as well as some easy summits (Aneto, Vignemale). There are some popular and crowded places on the trail, but also very remote areas, where it can take a day before you see someone. In these areas it can be several days between huts, so it is necessary to carry a tent. The HRP crosses the Way of St. James (El Camino de Santiago) on the Col d'Ibañeta, near Roncevaux.

Like the GR 10, the HRP begins at Hendaye on the Atlantic coast and finishes at Banyuls-sur-Mer on the Mediterranean.

The HRP was devised by Georges Véron in 1968. Joosten's published version of the route deviates substantially from Véron's and both offer variants to their main itineraries.

References

• Georges Véron, Pyrenees: High Level Route, Goring, West Col Productions, 1991. ISBN 0-906227-48-8
• Ton Joosten, Pyrenean Haute Route, Cicerone Press, 2004. ISBN 1-85284-426-4
• Ton Joosten, Pyrenean Haute Route, Second Edition, Cicerone Press, 2009. ISBN 9781852845551

External links

• hrp2011.blogspot.com – Chronicles a full HRP hike in 24 days, including photos and Google maps.
• Our 2010 Haute Route Pyrennes Hike Trip report from a 2010 through hike, including logistics.