French Pyrenees - Luchon

[David Tipping]

I'm planning a week based in Bagneres-de-Luchon in late June and am hoping to find plenty of butterflies! Any information would be welcome. I'd particularly like to know about places in and around the town (ideally within walking distance - I don't mind a walk of a few miles) which are worth a visit. Thanks.

[kevling]

David,

Try the following website for starters. It contains details of a number of walks from the town. Across the spring meadows and up into the hills, you won't be short of things to see.

http://uk.luchon.com/home/luchon/to-see ... uchon.aspx

This website might give you some pointers into what you may encounter too.

http://www.butterfly-guide.co.uk/region ... renees.htm

Regards
Kev Ling

[Roger Gibbons]

I haven’t been to that part of the world since July 2005 but these were my notes made at that time. I found the areas around Superbagnères to be quite sterile although the Vallée du Lys was quite good. Probably best to head for Spain via the Col du Portillon and into the Val d’Aran. I found the areas around Salardu and Vaquiera to be good and even up to the Col de Bonaigua at 2070m where I saw Pyrénées Brassy Ringlet (Erebia rondoui). Even then, ski development was threatening the ecology of the region.

Guy is the expert on the Val d’Aran. I suspect you will find it hard to get from Bagnères to Luz St Sauveur and Gavarnie.