The Pyrenees

Trying not to look down, my father and I clambered up a steep rocky chimney to the peak of Mt Canigou, to be greeted by a view of the glittering Mediterranean, 50km in the distance. We were at the highest point of the Tour du Canigou, a little known circuit of a spectacular Catalan mountain in the east of the French Pyrenees. Behind us stretched the rest of the Pyrenees mountain range, and below were villages tucked into folds of France and Spain.

One legend, three interpretations and a very thirsty bear: here’s how to experience traditional Catalan culture at the Fêtes de l’Ours (Bear Festivals) in the French Pyrenees, the latest addition to Unesco’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

Whether you want to blissfully ramble and discover the perfect picnic meadow, or conquer majestic peaks that soar on the edge of reality, the Pyrenees won’t just satisfy your yearnings, it will inspire you to seek out more. From formidable rows of summits that surge through the clouds to sunsets that melt into hidden crevices and canyons, the Pyrenees is a hikers’ wonderland.

A multi-stop itinerary from London to Barcelona – via Paris and the Pyrenees – is a train lover’s dream.

The Pyrenees are renowned for their spectacular sunsets, ample hiking opportunities, and unique landscapes – truly a vast, beautiful playground for lovers of the outdoors. But don't sleep on the picturesque little towns nestled between the peaks, they're full of cherished traditions, cultural delights and eccentric festivals.