Touring the Spanish Pyrenees with One Life Adventure.

Paul and Anne Blackburn set up OneLife Adventure in 2004 after many years of independent travel in Africa and Asia. They’ve combined their knowledge, experience and passion to plan the trips OneLife Adventure now offers, giving you the best destinations and 4×4 guided expeditions on offer today. Over the last ten years the company has gone from strength to strength, establishing itself as one of the leading vehicle-dependant travel organisation operating from the UK

The Pyrenees is a range of mountains in southwest Europe that forms a natural border between France and Spain. Reaching a height of 3,404 metres (11,168 ft) altitude at the peak of Aneto, the range separates the Iberian Peninsula from the rest of continental Europe, and extends for about 491 km (305 mi) from the Bay of Biscay (Cap Higuer) to the Mediterranean Sea (Cap de Creus).

For the most part, the main crest forms a divide between France and Spain, with the microstate of Andorra sandwiched in between. The Crown of Aragon and the Kingdom of Navarre have historically extended on both sides of the mountain range, with smaller northern portions now in France and larger southern parts now in Spain.

The Spanish Pyrenees are part of the following provinces, from east to west: Girona, Barcelona, Lleida (all in Catalonia), Huesca (in Aragon), Navarra (in Navarre) and Gipuzkoa (in the Basque Country).

The French Pyrenees are part of the following départements, from east to west: Pyrénées-Orientales (North Catalonia and Fenolheda), Aude, Ariège, Haute-Garonne, Hautes-Pyrénées, and Pyrénées-Atlantiques (the latter two of which include the Pyrenees National Park).
(Wikipedia.org)

Paul is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and his views are often sought by journalists, independent travellers and charitable organisations running expeditions.

Over the years the list of destinations has grown. Paul and Ann invest time and energy in researching new routes- seeking out the places that combine excellent off road driving adventure and fantastic holiday potential. One Life Offers tours of Iceland, Romania, Western Sahara, Algeria, and, the Pyrenees.

Paul loves to travel , “I’m always wondering what’s around the next corner. Running OneLife gives me an excuse to keep on looking. Guests come from across Europe to join our expeditions, and we’re delighted that many regularly come back time and time again to explore further with OneLife.”

Anne also loves travelling and finding something new to discover, her essential tips for a successful trip “Travel light, beg, borrow or buy what you forget. Don’t forget to pack: Wet wipes.”

Paul and Anne love to welcome families on OneLife Adventure trips and all of the European trips are designed with families in mind. This means plenty of stops, a short driving day and great quality campsites. We build itineraries that keep children happy – searching out campsites with pools, or near a village with traditional bars and restaurants and places to explore.

OneLife actively seek to engage children in the trip – and there’s lots to keep their interest – whether it’s searching for butterflies or frogs, helping with the firewood collection, or learning something about the wilderness they travel through and people they meet. And because they have a reputation as a family friendly company, you’re very likely to be travelling with other children and teenagers too. Paul and Anne are often delighted to see some great friendships formed around the OneLife camp fire.

The Spanish Pyrenees are the least visited part of the dramatic Pyrenean Mountains, guarding the border between France and Spain. The whole region is immensely beautiful – thickly forested foothills, secret plunging valleys and soaring snow capped mountains make for some of the best mountain driving in Europe. Home to Western Europe’s last bears and wolves, it is a forgotten area of Spain – villages still speak their own dialects, an ancient mixture of Spanish and Catalan. On the tour the groups spend their days driving from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean through some of the best scenery the Pyrenees offers, with the high peaks still mantled in snow. The forest tracks make for challenging driving on steep climbs and tight hairpins bends as the group traverses forgotten smugglers trails that cross the border between France and Spain. Climbing into the High Pyrenees, twisting through steep gorges carved by torrential, snow fed steams as they rush south to the Spanish Plains, leaving the group behind as it emerges in the remote, peaceful valleys of Anso and Hecho. The route skirts the Odessa National Park, home to lammergeiers and bears, before climbing to over 2500 metres, into the high peaks around the landlocked principality of Andorra. Finally, with the ocean in sight the group enjoy a drive down the rolling Pyrenees Oriental ready to enjoy a refreshing dip in the sea at Cap de Creus.

If you are coming to Spain for the first time, this expedition will show you a side of Spain far from any preconceptions you may have – a wild, remote and timeless Spain. The relaxed and slow pace of this popular expedition, with plenty of time to stop and explore, is ideal for those who are travelling on expedition for the first time or with young families. You’ll stay in good quality organised campsites with clean modern facilities, often with restaurants, bars and play areas.

To Learn more about these tours you can contact Paul and Anne online or using the details below:

Office: 01347 830188
Mobile: 07776 140626
Email: [email protected]

Touring the Spanish Pyrenees with One Life Adventure