George & Mostyn - Walking the GR10

Saturday, 14th June 2008 - Mostyn's Birthday!

George:We had a latish breakfast together then started out in cloud. We had decided to take the alternative route because of the cloud and so that we could stock up in the shop in Larrau, but we took a wrong turn very soon after leaving Iraty. We didn't notice until we had walked some kilometres. We were unable to find a path or track down from the hillside and eventually resorted to climbing down a steep leafy slope. Mostyn fell and sprained his wrist on one of the downhill bits.

We eventually found and followed a track which took us to a farm from where we were able to follow the roads to Larrau. The weather by this time was sunny and warm. We were treated to a couple of beers in Larrau which was the final destination for John and Glenys. Ian, Mostyn and I continued down to Logibar where we were to stay the night. The gîte had very good facilities and did good meals.

Mostyn:This morning all five of us had breakfast together before starting out on a variant of the GR10, via Larrau. We decided to do this because there were no local shops at our destination (Logibar) and John and Glenys had left their car at Laurrau. I bought some chocolate and then discovered that I had left my hat in the chalet, so I had to go back for it. The others forgave me because it was my birthday. It was drizzling during the walk and once again we were in the clouds.

Unfortunately we missed the route and found ourselves on a steep descent, which lead nowhere. We eventually traversed a steep forest and found the path again. Ian and I took off our rucksacks and surveyed a path to the left. There was a stream to cross and the path looked extremely difficult. The others said that the path to the right looked easier, so we took that one. After 5-10 minutes we discovered a farm gate, which looked promising - civilisation. The name of the farm was actually on our map.

This GR10 variant should have been 12-14 km, but we managed to extend it to about 20 km. As the day progressed the weather improved, which was a bonus and raised our morale. John and Glenys left us at Larrau. Before they left we had a couple of beers to celebrate my birthday. It was a 3 km road walk to Logibar where we washed and dried our kit. We had a good meal in the gite before we went to bed.

Sunday, 15th June 2008 (Rest Day)

George:We took today as our rest day, as planned.

After breakfast, we walked up the Gorge d'Holzarte to the suspension bridge. The walk up the gorge was quite steep and rocky but the views of the gorge and the footbridge were well worth the effort. After crossing the rather bouncy bridge, 100+ meters above the stream, we climbed up through beechwoods until we reached the small wooden footbridge at the top of the gorge. We had our lunch there, then returned to Logibar the way we had come.

We had a couple of beers and a siesta before dinner.

Mostyn:Despite it being a rest day we decided have a look at the Passarelle d'Holzarte (A 12Km walk with 400m climb). We left most of our kit at the gite and walked with reduced backpacks.

To get to Passarelle d'Holzarte we climbed a 30m steep stony and wet path. Fortunately there was a handrail. The bridge was a spectacular sight. It was 1.3m wide and 50m long, with a drop to the river of about 150m. As we walked across the bridge it moved with each step, it was a strange sensation, nevertheless very exhilarating.

After the bridge we continued up the Gorge Holzarte until we reached the Pont d'Ohadibi, where we had our lunch. We retraced our steps back to Logibar, where we relaxed and had a few drinks before our evening meal.

Note In hindsight we should not have walked on a rest day. A rest day should be just what it says.