25 May - Stage 5 - Sarrance to Borce - 23 km

 Bedous has all facilities, including an ATM and bakery, and even a tourist office making it an ideal coffee stop.

Hameau Jouers is a picturesque village with a reconstructed 15th c church of Saint Jean.

NB: Parts of this stage are along a busy main road. Take great care. Remember to walk facing on-coming traffic. Accous was the former capital of the Vallee d’Aspe. It has a café and a grocery shop.

This stage has been described by some as a ‘challenging’ day of walking with a mountain on the left of the path, then the river, then the road and then another mountain on the right and a lot of climbing. Sometimes the river is right next to you and sometimes deep down below. At times the path is rocky and uneven and we will cross the river a few times. Again, if there has been a lot of rain, avoid the GR route and walk along the road. Most blogs seem to recommend walking on the road as the path can be muddy and hazardous. It is a catch-22 because in some places the shoulder is very narrow and in others you walk along a vertical rock on the mountainside and it could be difficult if there is a lot of traffic.

You finally come out of the river valley onto a small road. At the sign, climb up to the charming, spotlessly clean, recently restored village of Borce, each building showing a before-and-after picture on its walls. It is said that there are still bears in the mountains. Everywhere the name Borce is accompanied by a picture of a Bear (there are 8 bears in the National Park). At the entrance to the village is a restored pilgrim hospital. Inside is information about the history of the pilgrimage, pilgrim routes and the history of Borce. It has several 15th C houses.

The group will be split here between Maison Bergoun and a Vegan B&B. Your luggage will be delivered to the Maison Bergoun

Look at the thick walls in the OLD home where we ate dinner, slept and had breakfast in Borce

Old!

Butcher in a truck

Church

Is getting colder

I bought a beret

The cold water was white

Having drinks at Sarrance

Having drinks at Sarrance

Sarrance

Sarrance

I think on our way from Sarrance to Borce

Sarrance to Borce

Sarrance to Borce

Sarrance to Borce

Sarrance to Borce

Sarrance to Borce

At this stage I as carrying two bags - one for myself and another for a ,,,

Hiking country

Slept in OLD house

Was a bit chilly outside in Borce, so sat in the bar/grocery store. But the bar did not cook food. Bought a tin of, I think pilchards to eat, but no utensils. Cold country. Few people.