Commemorative Chemin de la Liberté/Freedom Trail July 2014

This years Commemorative Freedom Trail (10 - 13 July 2014) saw over a 100 people walking along one of the World War 2 escape routes from France into Spain. Mainly from England and France but over 10 countries represented.

Snow conditions meant that walking into Spain across the border was not possible on Day 4. Instead walkers were bused to Esterri for the end of walk celebrations.

We walked in the footsteps of the escapees and evaders (among them shot down Allied airmen, Jews, and young French men called up for forced labour) attempting to escape Nazi oppression during World War 2 and the helpers that guided them across the Pyrenees.  We walked and we remembered.......

Photos copyright R. Eychenne

 Photos copyright E. Aromin

Facebook page for 2014 Commemorative Chemin/Freedom Trail
https://www.facebook.com/groups/640488406064517/

Beauty in one's surroundings from micro....to macro

Never Measure The Height of a Mountain.....

World Book Day Today

Carved book landscape by Guy Laramee. More great book art at http://www.guylaramee.com/

Andorra: Top 10 Mountain Facts

New and exclusive to Pyrenees Mountain Adventure this summer - the Andorra 5 Peaks Challenge. The highest 5 peaks in Andorra in 5 days. Looking for a challenge in 2014? You just found it!
Contact me for more information at pyreneesmountainadventure@hotmail.com or find more information at www.pyreneesmountainadventure.com

Andorra is the smallest country in Europe (468 square km/181 square miles) and situated between France and Spain in the Eastern Pyrenees. There is no airport or railway and no coastline.

There were 69,758 inhabitants in 2012 with a population density of 167 inhabitants per square kilometer. The geological center is near Encamp. Andorra was neutral during World War 2 with many crossing the border from France to escape Nazi persecution.

1. There are 72 peaks over 2 000 meters/ 6 561 feet            
2. The average height is 1 996 meters/ 6 549 feet
3. The highest point is the mountain Coma Pedrosa 2 942 m/ 9 652 feet and the lowest point is Riu Runer 840 metres/ 2 756 feet where the main road out of Andorra crosses into Spain.

Pic Coma Pedrosa

4. The country has the highest capital city in Europe - Andorra la Viella (1 023 metres / 3 356 feet)
5. The border with Spain and France is 120km/ 74 miles.
6. 75% of the border is over 1 829 metres/6 000 feet. Only 1.5km/1 mile is below  914 metres /3 000 feet. The border with France is not physically marked on the ground with border markers, unlike the border between France and Spain.
6. There are 72 lakes. The largest is the Estanys de Juclar 23 hectares/56.8 acres in the north east.

Juclar Lakes

7. There are 2 Nature Parks which equal 5% of the land area.
(Sorteny 1 080 hectares/ 2 669 acres and Coma Pedrosa 1 543 hectares/ 3 813 acres)
8. There is one Unesco World Heritage Site which equals 10% of the area.
(Madriu valley 4 247 hectares/ 10 494 acres.)

The Madriu Valley

9. The highest 5 peaks are Pic Coma Pedrosa, Roca Entravessada, Pic de l'Estanyo, Pic de la Serrera and Pic de la Medacorba.
10.Pic de la Medecorba is a tri point - the borders of  France, Spain and Andorra meet at the summit.

Edward Stourton Walking the Chemin de la Liberté/Freedom Trail

Click on the photo to open the article.

Edward Stourton made a BBC4 radio programme about the Chemin de la Liberté which included his experience of walking from France into Spain along the escape route. The material was later incorporated into his book Cruel Crossing (2013). At the end of the BBC article you will find a link to the Radio 4 programme. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15690262

Want to follow in Edward Stourton's footsteps and make the crossing from France into Spain on one of the hardest World War 2 escape routes? Contact me at pyreneesmountainadventure@hotmail.com

You Cannot Stay on the Summit Forever.....