Pyrenees

Snowshoeing Holiday

4 nights from £1250 • €1450 • $1600

Activities

3 days guided adventures

Accommodation

4 nights family-run hotel

Level

Beginner friendly

Food

All meals - delicious restaurant dinners

Difficulty

Group Size

Moderate to challenging

Transfers

6 new friends

Dates

Fly into Zaragoza, Spain

February & March

  • Snowshoeing

    Embark on a unique, women-only winter hiking adventure across the stunning landscapes of the French-Spanish border.

  • Winter Hiking

    Trek to awe-inspiring mountain peaks, enjoying spectacular views away from crowded trails.

  • Spa Afternoon

    Relax and unwind in the local spa with fantastic vistas from the thermal baths!

  • Cosy Accommodation

    Stay in a charming B&B in a picturesque mountain village in Spain.

  • Foodie Adventure

    Savour local flavours at handpicked restaurants every evening!

Join Gutsy Girls for a guided snowshoeing adventure in the Pyrenees, a long weekend of winter hiking in the magnificent mountains that border France and Spain. Led by local mountain guides, we’ll explore a range of terrains, including national parks, glacier lakes, and remote mountain peaks, away from crowded paths.

Snowshoeing is a fantastic winter activity for everyone! Essentially, it's hiking in the snow, allowing you to discover beautiful, snow-covered wilderness. This active holiday will have us conquering peaks, honing our skills, and boosting our confidence in the mountains, all while being surrounded by stunning, awe-inspiring vistas.

In the evenings, we'll immerse ourselves in the local life of a charming Spanish mountain village, sampling delicious cuisine from the region with dinners at handpicked restaurants.

To unwind, we'll visit a local spa with incredible views of the mountains from its thermal pools, and relax in the sauna and steam rooms.

This winter adventure is perfect for Gutsy Girls seeking a combination of active days, exploring breathtaking landscapes, authentic dining experiences, relaxation, and unforgettable memories with new friends.

Location

We've chosen the Pyrenees for our snowshoeing holiday because of its natural beauty and untouched landscapes. The range's location lets us snowshoe in both France and Spain, offering a variety of terrains in one trip. Every day, we'll set out on different mountain trails, experiencing the diverse landscapes this region has to offer.

Activities

  • Snowshoeing

    Snowshoeing is the winter sister of hiking! A pair of snowshoes and a little bit of technique makes remote, snowy terrain accessible.

    It’s a great sport for beginners because it doesn’t need the same level of technical skill and experience as skiing or snowboarding, yet gets you out into the wide open, snowy backcountry.

    Guided by local mountain leaders, we'll explore wild terrains, building our skills and confidence in winter hiking, all while enjoying incredible views along the way!

  • Hiking

    Winter Hiking

    The snow conditions in the Pyrenees are generally reliable but can vary year to year. Our guides prioritise finding the best snow-covered routes, ensuring an excellent adventure whether on snowshoes or hiking boots. In the rare cases where snow is sparse, you will still enjoy fantastic winter hiking with incredible vistas.

  • Snowshoeing

    Spa Afternoon

    To unwind and restore our bodies, we’ll enjoy a visit to a local spa with incredible vistas from the thermal baths

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is the winter sister of hiking! A pair of snowshoes and a little bit of technique makes remote, snowy terrain accessible.

It’s a great sport for beginners because it doesn’t need the same level of technical skill and experience as skiing or snowboarding, yet gets you out into the wide open, snowy backcountry.

Guided by local mountain leaders, we'll explore wild terrains, building our skills and confidence in winter hiking, all while enjoying incredible views along the way!

Winter Hiking

The snow conditions in the Pyrenees are generally reliable but can vary year to year. Our guides prioritise finding the best snow-covered routes, ensuring an excellent adventure whether on snowshoes or hiking boots. In the rare cases where snow is sparse, you will still enjoy fantastic winter hiking with incredible vistas.

Spa Afternoon

To unwind and restore our bodies, we’ll enjoy a visit to a local spa with incredible vistas from the thermal baths

Fitness and Experience Level

  • This trip is rated moderate to challenging.

    You’ll have the opportunity to explore breathtaking snow-covered landscapes on this active adventure. No prior snowshoeing experience is required, but a good level of fitness is essential for tackling mountain climbs!

  • Duration:

    Prepare for long, active days in the fresh mountain air. Daily tours will last 6-7 hours, with approximately 5 hours of physical activity each day.

    Intensity:

    Expect steep ascents and descents, requiring a good fitness level. Climbing mountains is rewarding, but it’s also hard work!

    Head for Heights:

    Some sections may feature narrow paths with steeper drops on either side, so be prepared for some exhilarating heights

    Consecutive Activity:

    This adventure includes 3 consecutive days of physical activity, which can be tiring but incredibly rewarding!

  • You don’t need to be an elite athlete, but if you regularly engage in activities like running, hiking, walking, or cycling, this trip will be a great fit. With 3 active days of snowshoeing through beautiful mountain landscapes, a good fitness level will help you enjoy the experience. 

  • We'll be staying picturesque village of Sallent de Gallego, nestled beneath towering peaks, offering panoramic mountain views at every turn.

    Our hotel for the week is a wonderful stone building set in the winding streets of the village. With just 11 rooms, all with en-suite bathrooms, this friendly family-run hotel is beautifully decorated throughout.

    There is a living room and reading area with sofas and a stone fireplace where we can have a coffee and relax.

    The hotel is rated 2*. It’s brimming with character and boasts excellent hospitality and rates 8.6 on hotel booking sites!

    You can choose to share a twin room or opt for a private for a single supplement.

  • The meals on this trip are a real highlight! 

    Delicious buffet breakfasts will be served at our hotel.

    Evening meals will be taken at a selection of restaurants in the village. The standard of the restaurants in the area is excellent and all provide three courses with a large choice of starters, mains and desserts.

    Vegetarians and other dietary requirements can be catered for, as long as we know in advance.

Itinerary

  • Day 1

    Our team will meet you at Zaragoza airport or train station:

    Train Station: 12:45

    Airport: 13:15

    This adventure aligns with the direct Ryanair flights from London Stansted. Alternatively, you can fly into Barcelona or Madrid and catch a train to Zaragoza. (More travel details below)

    For lunch, we'll head to Zaragoza for tapas in its bustling tapas bars. Zaragoza, the capital of Aragon in northeastern Spain, is a vibrant city known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and lively cultural scene.

    Afterward, we'll drive to Sallent, our base for the weekend. Upon arrival, there will be a briefing by the guide about the weekend ahead, what to expect, what kit our group will need, and a chance to ask any questions. You'll have some free time to explore Sallent before dinner.

    In the evening, we’ll enjoy a delicious three-course dinner at a local restaurant.

  • Day 2

    After our hearty buffet breakfast, a short drive in the morning (10 mins) will take us to the border area of Portalet.

    Here we can put our snowshoes on and try them out on a nice flat area to give everyone a bit of confidence, before heading out on today’s route which is on the Spanish side.

    A fairly gentle start to the week with no steep ascents but with superb views all the way. The route passes under the famous mountain of Foratata.

    Distance 12 km, accumulated ascent 470 metres.

    Dinner in a local restaurant.

  • Day 3

    After breakfast today, we’ll drive around to the Valle de Aragon north of Jaca and cross through the Somport tunnel into France.

    The views onto the north faces of the Aspe peaks covered in ice and snow are absolutely breath-taking. We’ll climb up through beech woods before breaking out into the open valley that leads up to the lake of Ibon de Estanes (which is actually back on the Spanish side of the border!).

    Covered in snow and ice, with high cliffs towering above it, the lake is a stunning spot in winter.

    In the later afternoon we'll return to Sallent for unwinding in the local spa with fantastic vistas from the thermal baths!

    3 course dinner in a local restaurant.

  • Day 4

    Today, we take a peek at a peak on the French side of the border, sitting right next to the magnificent summit of Pic du Midi d’Ossau.

    This is a towering rocky peak and one of the most famous summits in the French Pyrenees. We get great views of Midi d’Ossau as well as dozens of other peaks from this summit. There are some steeper sections on the climb, but not a long ascent and we take things at an easy pace.

    This route is done either as a there and back, or if the group is feeling adventurous, there is the option to follow a ‘barranco’ (stream bed) down which has some good fun steeper sections for some impromptu snowshoe skiing!

    Dinner in a local restaurant.

  • Day 5

    It's an early start for breakfast and our transfer (1h50) back to Zaragoza airport and train station.

    Airport drop-off: 8:45am

    Train station drop-off: 9:00am

Dates

    • Fri 14 Feb – Tue 18 Feb 2025

    • Fri 21 Feb – Tue 25 Feb 2025

    • Fri 28 Feb – Tue 4 Mar 2025 – 1 spot left!

    • Fri 28 Feb – Tue 4 Mar 2025 – 1 spot left!

Price

Twin Room Ensuite £1250 (approx. €1450 / $1600)

Private Room Ensuite £1375 (approx. €1600 / $1750)

  • Gutsy Girls is a UK-based adventure company welcoming women worldwide. Prices are in pounds (£) with estimates in euros (€) and US dollars ($). The final amount dependant on your card provider’s conversion rate at time of payment and may fluctuate.

  • Secure your spot with a 30% deposit; the balance is due 45 days before the trip.

Included

  • 3 days of guided snowshoeing

  • 4 nights accommodation

  • Snowshoes, gaiters, and poles rental

  • Expert local mountain guides

  • Gutsy Girls host

  • 4 breakfasts, 1 tapas lunch, 3 packed lunches, 4 three-course dinners

  • Spa circuit

  • Airport or train station transfers for our recommended flight times

    • Flights

    • Drinks

    • Travel Insurance

    • Personal clothing

    • Warm and waterproof hiking boots with ankle support - mandatory

  • Cancellations are effective from the date we receive your written notice via email. The following fees apply:

    • 100% of the trip cost if cancelled 44 days or less before the trip.

    • 30% of the trip cost if cancelled 45 days or more before the trip.

    Full terms and conditions are available for review before you book and make payment

Travel

  • We offer a single timed transfer from both Zaragoza airport and Zaragoza train station to accommodate various travel options.

    Airport:

    Friday pick-up: 13:45 pm
    Tuesday drop-off: 8:20 am

    Train Station:

    Friday pick-up: 12:45 pm
    Tuesday drop-off: 9:00 am

  • Please note, flights are not included in our packages.

    The only direct flights from the UK to Zaragoza are operated by Ryanair, departing from London Stansted.

    Outbound (Friday):

    Ryanair Flight FR2565

    London Stansted (STN) 10:00 → Zaragoza (ZAZ) 13:15

    Return (Tuesday):

    Ryanair Flight FR2566

    Zaragoza (ZAZ) 10:20 → London Stansted (STN) 11:30

    We also offer collection and drop-off from Zaragoza train station. For full travel information, please see our FAQ.

Packing List

    • Snow shoes

    • Trekking poles

    • Gaiters

  • Snowshoeing kit:

    • Waterproof hiking boots with ankle support. (Preferably something not too lightweight. You don't need stiff soled winter hiking or mountaineering boots, but snow boots that are a bit like soft wellies with fluffy liners aren’t supportive enough. See above for helpful graphic).

    • 20 - 30 litre backpack

    • Base layer thermal tops (a selection which you can layer up) (synthetic, wool or silk)

    • Long johns (thermal) (synthetic, wool or silk)

    • Fleece or wool jumper

    • A breathable, waterproof/water resistant and windproof shell jacket

    • Soft shell type winter hiking trousers or leggings (windproof, water repellent, breathable)

    • A warm packable insulated / down jacket

    • A selection of warm socks of different thicknesses to help you get the best fit in your boots (wool is best)

    • Sunglasses

    • Sun hat

    • Warm hat

    • Buff (you might want two - one for your neck, one as a headband), scarf or balaclava

    • Ski gloves

    • Thinner less warm gloves (if it’s not cold hands can get hot quickly!)

    • Glove liners and/or disposable hand warmers if you suffer from cold hands

    • Waterproof trousers

    Off the Snow:

    • Casual evening clothes

    • Night wear

    • Toiletries

    • Any prescription medication 

    • Compeed or moleskin for blisters, just in case!

    • Slippers / shoes for the hotel

    Spa:

    • Swimsuit

    • Flip flops or sandals (mandatory)

    • Swimming cap (mandatory)

    • Towel (mandatory)

    Other Stuff:

    • Sunscreen (high factor) and lip salve

    • Camera 

    • Dry bags for inside your day pack to keep stuff dry

    • Waterproof case for your phone might be handy

    • Snacks

    • Water bottle (not a hydration pack as the water can freeze in the tube)

    • Small/Medium thermos flask for hot drinks

Questions?

If you have any questions, check our FAQs or drop us a message below!