![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.vintagetravel.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Pyrenees-Landmarks-min.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nStretching for more than 430km and reaching an elevation of 3,400m, it\u2019s safe to say the Pyr\u00e9n\u00e9es is a mighty mountain range that separates the Iberian Peninsula with the rest of Europe.<\/p>\n
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Hiking trails snake through the entire length of this iconic mountain range, through national parks, scared pilgrimage sites, ski resorts, green valleys, forested mountains and Andorra, a tiny sovereign state in the heart of the mountains.<\/p>\n
Every inch of the Pyr\u00e9n\u00e9es is worth exploring in both the high-altitude region known as the Hautes-Pyr\u00e9n\u00e9es, where many of the ski resorts can be found, and the Pyr\u00e9n\u00e9es-Bernaisas region, carpeted in vineyard-covered hills and picturesque villages and castles.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s three exceptionally striking landmarks of the Pyr\u00e9n\u00e9es.<\/p>\n
Cirque de Gavarnie<\/strong><\/p>\n The Cirque de Gavarnie is a truly spectacular sight in the heart of Pyr\u00e9n\u00e9es. This circular ring of mountain granite walls surround a verdant valley. These spectacular walls were formed by the erosion of glaciers millions of years ago.<\/p>\n A rushing stream descends the valley, interspersed with a series of waterfalls, one of which, the Grande Casade, is the highest waterfall in Europe, standing at 422m tall.<\/p>\n The Cirque de Gavarnie is part of the Parc National des Pyr\u00e9n\u00e9es and can be reached along a walking trail from Gavarnie village.<\/p>\n Grotte du Mas d\u2019Azil<\/strong><\/p>\n Another striking site that lies in the heart of the domineering Pyr\u00e9n\u00e9es is the Grotte du Mas d\u2019Azil. This prehistoric cave is carved within the limestone mountains at an elevation of 310m. Running through this vast 50km-wide cave is the Ari\u00e8ge River.<\/p>\n A road runs through the cave and it\u2019s possible to drive right the way through it. Prehistoric drawings have been found in the cave. Guided tours are available involving geological presentations of the different galleries.<\/p>\n Cauterets<\/strong><\/p>\n Cauterets is a pretty alpine village nestled in the peaks of the Hautes-Pyr\u00e9n\u00e9es. One focal point of Cauterets is its thermal spa known as the Bains du Rocher.<\/p>\n During the winter, this alpine village is a popular skiing destination whilst in the summer it is attracts hikers and those with a passion for outdoor activities, being the perfect base to explore the stunning Parc National des Pyr\u00e9n\u00e9es.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Stretching for more than 430km and reaching an elevation of 3,400m, it\u2019s safe to say the Pyr\u00e9n\u00e9es is a mighty mountain range that separates the Iberian Peninsula with the rest of Europe.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":7933,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[60],"tags":[1229,1230,1228],"class_list":["post-7932","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-things-to-do-in-spain","tag-landmarks","tag-mountain-range","tag-pyrenees"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n