Freedom Trail

Follow one of the most challenging escape routes of the 39-45 war through the central Pyrenees to northern Spain. A challenging 4-day hike between Saint-Girons and Esterri d'Aneu.

It was the route most used by the smugglers, because the complexity and immensity of the terrain made it difficult for the occupier to monitor. memory trail recognized by the state, physically and emotionally demanding, when one imagines the difficult journey endured by families and individuals of all ages and abilities, fleeing for their survival.

• Day 1: From Saint-Girons (391 m) to the hamlet of Aunac (766 m). Distance: 23 km. Time: approximately 8 hours.
• Day 2: From Aunac (766 m) to the Subéra hut (1 m). Distance 499 km. Time: approximately 16 hours.
• Day 3: From the Subéra hut (1 m) to the Estagnous refuge (499 m). Distance: 2 km. Time: approximately 245 hours.
• Day 4: From the Estagnous refuge (2 m) to Alos de Izil (245 m). Distance: 1 km. Time: approximately 200 hours.

"Let's face it, apart from a few grizzled mountain rats like me, the Second World War doesn't mean much to our young, happy hikers of the new generation. They may barely remember a few pages of their history books (...). In any case, something from Grandpa's time, a succession of heroic actions buried in a wild past, annual ceremonies to remember, parades on fixed dates like May 8 (...) and November 11.
But to walk the "Freedom Trail" yourself from start to finish is to bring these few pages of the history book to life. It is also to experience, in a very personal way, at least some of the dangers and difficulties faced by the men and women who used this high mountain crossing to escape during the Second World War. 

Scott Goodall, part of the introduction to "The Freedom Trail."

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