The GR10: the great crossing of the Pyrenees to do with your dog

Hey fellow dog lovers! I'm so happy to be back with you for new adventures. Do you love the mountains? Do you love hiking with your dog? Is the great adventure of crossing the Pyrenees via the GR10 one of your dreams? Then do it with your dog! Yes, yes, I assure you, crossing the Pyrenees (GR10) with your dog is possible! To prove it to you, I interviewed two dog lovers who are fans of this hike.

This is Roxanne, Gérard, and their three dogs: a Jack Russell and two Huskies. These hiking enthusiasts are inseparable. They enjoy many activities together: canicross, snowshoeing , ski touring , downhill skiing , and especially cani-hiking. Today, they're sharing their journey along the GR10, the great Pyrenees crossing, with their three dogs. Let's follow our athletes and discover this hike up close.

Roxanne and Gérard, it's up to you 🙂

The great crossing of the Pyrenees with our dogs: what a wonderful memory! We had wanted to do this course with our dogs for a long time, but we had run out of time so far. We wanted to make the crossing in one go, so we had to be able to take enough time off to complete this journey. In 2018, we left our salaried jobs to start as entrepreneurs: finally free! 

The GR10 is the longest hike we've done with our dogs. We set off from Hendaye on July 1st, 2018 , and it took us 39 days to reach Banyuls-sur-Mer . A lot happened during that trip! We covered nearly 800km and 52,000m of elevation gain and the same amount of descent. Note that it wasn't possible to complete the entire GR10 with our dogs because the trail crosses the Pyrenees National Park and the Néouvielle Nature Reserve, where dogs are prohibited. We had to plan ahead and define an alternative route around these areas so we could do everything on foot and all together.

Our places to bivouac are planned in advance. The ideal is to have water nearby without being too close to it to avoid the ambient humidity, a fairly flat place to avoid slipping all night, far from the herds so as not to disturb them, be disturbed and excite our dogs. A beautiful view is a plus but unfortunately it is not always possible to combine all these criteria because it is sometimes necessary to respect regulations specific to certain places, in particular related to authorized bivouac times, prohibited areas...

Logistically, we planned our supplies in advance and dropped them off at hostels on our route so we could pick them up as we went. It was important to provide their rations of kibble for our dogs and our meals.

We really enjoyed being all 4 and being away from the hassle of everyday life. It's a return to simple things that is so nice. Our most beautiful memory is certainly at the last summit before our arrival in Banyuls sur Mer. We had tears in our eyes, the dogs were tired and took advantage of each break to take a nap but we knew we were at the end of our adventure. It was a magical experience to share together!

Hiking with your dog isn't something you can just wing ! You can't set off empty-handed, especially if it's a route like the GR10. You'll need a few essentials.

As for us, we use the same basic equipment for canicross and canihiking. We each have a harness and a shock-absorbing leash of about 2m per dog.

For day hikes like canicross, Jack and Neirock use a Manmat XBack harness , the equivalent of the Speed ​​Race harness, which allows them to pull in optimal conditions. Texas also has a pulling harness because she's quite powerful!

For multi-day hikes, they each have their own pack. Texas, our Jack Russell, has a Ruffwear Approach Pack that we had to customize to fit him. Jack and Neirock, our Huskies, have a Ruffwear Palisades , which is very practical because the saddlebags detach from the harness. With the saddlebags removed, the pack becomes a simple harness, which is very convenient because we don't have to buy them separate harnesses. These two packs are a bit pricey, but they're really worth it because our dogs have never had any irritation or chafing, the packs have always stayed securely in place, and they're very durable considering the rough treatment they endure!

On hikes, we always have for them:

• booties in case of injury to the paw pads

• soft travel bowls

• a water bottle

• treats (which they prefer aha )

• two 10m tethers each

• a first aid kit (with disinfectant, saline solution, tick remover , bandage…)

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Hiking with your dog is an activity open to all dogs, regardless of size. We even hike long distances with a Jack Russell and Huskies ! However, just like with us humans, it's essential to take it step by step and gradually increase the distance. To avoid putting the dog off – or the owner – it's best to start with short hikes, without too much elevation gain, and gradually increase the distance. If your dog isn't athletic, forget about hiking with them! They'll quickly suffer, and it will soon become a real ordeal.

Our dogs have been used to hiking with us forever. Despite everything, during our crossing of the Pyrenees, after a very big stage of 35km and more than 3000m of negative elevation, Texas had aches and could not move forward... We then redid our bags to make room for him in the one of them and she thus made 2 stages while resting.

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Before embarking on long roaming, it is best to do a few hikes with your dog over several days to gain experience and be comfortable managing the effort and the equipment. And this is valid for both humans and dogs! For the comfort of the dog-human couple, it is preferable that the dog knows at least the basic orders, ie the directions and the “stop”. Then try to always check your route before departure to be sure that the dog will be able to do it in full: no prohibition or too difficult passage. Ropes, ladders, rope bridges... are obstacles that are often very difficult to pass or even impassable.

Summer remains the best time to hike the GR10 , as the snow has generally melted along the entire route. It's a very demanding trek from the very first stages, requiring good physical fitness and hiking experience. The GR10 guidebook typically outlines 55 stages. A good understanding of the mountains is also essential, as weather conditions, even in the height of summer, can change dramatically in a matter of minutes: bright sunshine, a few clouds, a sudden gust of wind, and then a violent storm.

Be careful during slightly aerial passages, on the side of ridges, especially if the dog is detached, this can be dangerous because dogs have no concept of emptiness.

Respect the environment in which you operate. Whether in the mountains or in the countryside, there is a flora and fauna present that must be respected. Therefore, it is preferable to keep your dog attached, unless the latter has an excellent recall. The goal is not to disturb the wild or farmed animals that are on your route as well as the other hikers. It is unfortunately because of a lot of disrespectful behavior that dogs are now banned from certain places such as national parks, nature reserves... and frowned upon in many other places. 

My last piece of advice concerns the presence of patous… We often encountered patous and sheepdogs. And in this case, either it passes or it breaks! Everything depends on the education received by the patou. We always endeavor to circumvent the herds, we leave the paths so as not to disturb them and go as far as possible. Some patous quickly understand that we are not a danger and bark away without more. While others have already charged us, putting us in awkward situations. This has also happened to us when we did not have our dogs… The best thing in these cases is to hold the dogs as short as possible, generally we hold them to the harness to leave them no room for maneuver and continue to move forward until the patou leaves us alone. There is no miracle solution unfortunately… It does its job.

We really liked the entire route, the landscapes change according to the departments and each have their own particularities. Our favorite stages were:

• Our first step was the moment we left everything behind. Our friends Claire and Simon had come to support us for the occasion. After the final goodbyes, we set off towards the mountains from Hendaye. We quickly left the town and took the first Basque trails until we reached the foot of La Rhune , always with the Atlantic Ocean behind us.

• Our 12th stage took us to Lake Gentau, where we slept facing the Pic du Midi d'Ossau, continuing until just below the Ausseilla pass. Once past the village of Gabas , we literally left all civilized territory behind and didn't see another human being for 24 hours! We climbed the Alhas ridge, which is quite vertiginous, and then entered the Soussouéou valley . It's a very wild, untouched area. Only a few sheep spend the summer here.

• Our 39th and final stage: we finally caught a glimpse of the Mediterranean! Everyone had told us we'd see it from the summit of Canigou, but it was foggy that day, so we had no visibility. This stage was very emotional for the four of us. We knew it was the end and we were trying to make Texas and Jack understand that. Our dogs were quite tired and took advantage of every break we made to have a little nap. From the last summit, Puig de Sallfort , we could see Banyuls-sur-Mer, our destination. A long descent followed, first through low vegetation and then through vineyards.

Three places particularly marked us: 

• The Ausseilla Pass . During our 13th stage, we crossed the Ausseilla Pass, located on the border between the Pyrénées-Atlantiques and Hautes-Pyrénées departments, at sunrise. We were on an unmarked trail, and the colors were sublime. We could see where we were coming from and where we were going. There were still some snow patches; it felt like we were on another planet!

• The Artigue cabin (Haute-Garonne). It was certainly the greatest luxury we experienced during our trek. We had been walking for 48 hours in the rain and fog… And in this cabin, we were able to make a fire to dry all our belongings, warm up, and sleep sheltered from the elements without worrying about the night ahead. This cabin is truly rustic, but in these conditions, it offers unparalleled comfort!

• The Canigou Chimney . We climbed to the summit of Canigou at sunrise during our 35th stage. We set off from the Arago hut where we had spent the night. We encountered herds of chamois that were only a few dozen meters away from us during our ascent. We took the Canigou "chimney," and the dogs behaved very well despite the difficulty and listened to us the whole time.

Here are a few lines that we tell you about the GR10 but there are many other wonderful hikes to do in the Pyrenees. Our favorite hikes to do with your dog are:

• The Cabaliros – Hautes-Pyrénées: This is a very easy hike that starts above the village of Sireix. It takes less than two hours to reach the summit, and the view is magnificent up there on a clear day. We often camped there because the sunrise and sunset are truly beautiful and offer a stunning view of the entire Pyrenees mountain range. This route can also be done on snowshoes or skis in winter and on canicross trails in summer. Be sure to bring plenty of water, however, as there is none available along the way.

• Canigou – Pyrénées - Orientales: with a name like that, it's practically predestined to go hiking there with your dog! Haha! It's possible to reach the summit in a day via the normal route from the Cortalets refuge; it's a fairly easy hike, you just need to bring water as there isn't any along the way and a good windbreaker as it's often windy at the top. But it's also possible to hike around the massif over several days, including the summit (Arago hut, Barbet ridge, chimney, etc.). The view from the summit is sublime, overlooking the Mediterranean, and all around the massif, a variety of landscapes unfold: forest, scree slopes, and more.

• Lake Ausseilla – Hautes-Pyrénées: This is a little-known hike that leads to a small, unspoiled lake far from the crowds. It's a day hike or a two-day trek, with an overnight stay at the lake during the summer heat. There's water practically the entire way. The hike begins at Lake Teich above Arrens-Marsous, where you'll usually encounter a single herd of cows that don't cause any problems near the Bouleste hut. Continue straight ahead on an unmarked path that follows the stream. It's a fairly strenuous hike due to the significant elevation gain over a short distance, but the lake is very quiet, guaranteeing peace and quiet!

• The Pic du Midi d'Ossau – Pyrénées Atlantiques: this is a very popular hike, and rightly so, as the sunrise behind the Ossau peak is truly magnificent. It's a hike that can be done in a day, but camping by the lake is a lovely option. However, it's best avoided during the summer months as it gets far too crowded. It remains a very easy hike (only 1.5 hours from the parking area…), making it very accessible.

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Come on! Let's go ! Direction the Pyrenees 🙂 I hope this article will have made you want to test the crossing of the Pyrenees with your dog, but you will have understood: be careful! Going on such a long hike with your dog is something you have to be prepared for. You have to be sure of your level, your dog's abilities and know the mountain and its dangers well.

Thanks again to Roxanne, Gérard, and their dogs for sharing their Trop W'ouf experience with us. Want to learn more about their story? Check out their Woof-tastic profile, and for those who want to follow their Canadian adventures, you can find them on their Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Pssst: Want to try new activities with your dog? Check out these articles: “ The Top 10 Dog-Pulling Sports to Share with Your Dog ”; “ The Top 5 Summer Activities to Do with Your Dog ”; and “ Camping with Your Dog ”. Pssst: More articles are coming very soon to the EmmèneTonChien.com Mag ! Stay tuned and keep your ears and noses open!

In the meantime, for more information, holiday tips and dog-friendly deals, follow EmmèneTonChien.com on our Facebook page and our Instagram account 🙂