Tales from the Trails – Edition 3.

“I grew up spending about 3 months a year in the Eastern Pyrenees. My family moved away in 2016, but now we are back, 7 years later and it is delightfully unchanged! There is a lot of joy in exploring an old familiar place through the eyes of a ‘new’ hobby or new person to the area.

During 2 weeks of remote working, I ran all around the house, exploring the incredible (and totally unrunnable) trails on offer.

I am a complete wuss on my own in the mountains, facings fears of

1. Stray dogs
2. Wild boar or
3. Hunters hunting said wild boar.

This led to a few turnarounds and bailing on some more ambitious solo plans. However in the end, although I met many dogs, most of them just wanted to say hi and a head stroke! One even decided to accompany for a 3km stretch of downhill road…

With James turning up, I was incredibly excited to show him these mountains and this region that hold such a large place in my heart. Adventures with your other half are always a fun balancing act…

‘Stop running so fast and look at the views!’

Fuelled by baguettes of jambon et fromage, we got to take in the rugged coastline of the Languedoc-Roussillon as well as the steep and never ending climbs up some bigger mountains.

Check out these routes on their Strava

TO SPAIN AND BACK

MONTFERRER

After 3 weeks in the south, bags are packed, next stop the Alps. We leave full of anticipation and plans for future Pyreneean adventures: definitely some bikes needed (road? Gravel? Both?), ropes for some fun scrambling, and friends, we’ll definitely need to bring some friends out here with us!”

~ Alex with James, December 2022 / January 2023, Eastern Pyrenees. Give them a follow, both are always adventuring – climbing, touring, running, cycling and skiing.

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