In November 1942, eight-year-old Henry Slucki and his parents escaped from France to avoid capture by the Nazis by taking a dangerous journey on foot through the Pyrenees. In 2022, aged 88, Henri told me the story of his family and the details of their escape. Despite his age, his memories of that time were detailed.
Based on what he told me, I have reconstructed part of the expedition that Henry and his parents took 80 years ago during WW2.
This trek retraces part of their escape, starting and ending at Saint-Lary Soulang, over four days.
When I took Henry back to the Pyrenees for the first time 80 years later, he was impressed by the magnitude and beauty of these mountains. The scenery is stunning; it’s an unmissable hike.
More details here.
Participants will meet the guide at the hotel in Saint-Lary Soulan.
After check-in and a briefing, we will have dinner at a restaurant in the village.
[EG = Elevation Gain – EL = Elevation Loss]
18.5 km with 940 metres EG and 200 metres EL.
After an early breakfast at the hotel, we will head southwest to the end of the Rioumajou Valley and then south all the way up to the Hospice.
Bordered on both sides by peaks above 2500 metres, the Rioumajou Valley is wide and long. The ascent is gentle; cows and horses graze here and there, creating a picturesque scene.
Technically speaking, it is the easiest leg of the trek.
Once settled back into our inn, the guide will tell you about the escapees who fled France during World War II—who they were, why they escaped, who helped them, and much more.
17.5 km with 1270 metres EG and 1140 metres EL.
We will cross the Urdiceto Pass, between France and Spain, at 2400 meters—the same pass that Henry crossed when he was 8.
We will have a short, silent pause to reflect on those who crossed this pass under harsh conditions during WW2.
Within 30 minutes, we will cross another pass at 2314 meters. From there, the trail descends all the way down to the Biadós mountain hut, at 1760 meters.
For the first time in this tour, we will come across some Bordas, shepherds huts used to keep cattle and to store their feed. They are a reminder of past times when farming was the main activity of these villages.
16.5 km with 900 metres EG and 1360 metres EL.
After leaving Biadós, we will head north toward Puerto de la Pez, a col that borders Spain and France, at 2458 meters.
The slopes before and after the col are quite steep, undoubtedly the trickiest part of the trek.
A taxi will pick us up at the end of path to take us to Germ, small village perched on the flanks of the Louron valley, where a charming hotel restaurant awaits us.
13 km with 620 metres EG and 1160 metres EL.
We will follow the GR 10 and the Chemin de Louron to get to Loudenvielle, next to a beautiful lake, and then continue to Saint-Lary Soulan, where we will arrive between 2pm and 3pm.
If you want to stay overnight in Saint-Lary, please contact us, and we will book an extra night for you.
[Click on each image to see the photo in its original size]
Henry Slucki across the Pyrenees – Accommodation
The first and last overnight stay are in hotels, while the second and third are in mountain huts.
The mountain huts have dormitories, so you will need to carry a sleeping bag. A check list will be emailed you upon booking.
If you do not wish to share a room at the hotels, you will have to pay a supplement.
A picnic will be prepared for us every day except the first, in Saint-Lary. You will be able to buy what you need for a picnic lunch the day before, after arriving in Saint-Lary.
Dinner will be provided every night apart from the first restaurant dinner in Saint-Lary Soulan. Breakfast will be provided every day. Below is one photo of each accommodation:
[Click on each image to see the photo in its original size]
Still available places:
– 8-12 Aug. 2026
Price from: contact us by completing
this form
What’s included:
– Accommodation in:
— Hotel in Saint-Lary Soulan. Double/twin or single room.
— Hospice de Rioumajou. A variety of room types are available, including single, double, twin, triple, and quadruple rooms
— The mountain hut. Big dormitory.
— The hotel in Germ. Double/twin or single room.
– Meals:
— Three packed lunches (3rd , 4th and 5th day).
— Four evening meals and four breakfasts.
– Transfer on the fourth day.
– Accident insurance while in the wilderness.
– Qualified English-and-French-speaking local mountain guide.
Excluded:
– Flights
– Travel insurance
– Meals and drinks not indicated in ‘Included’
Essential info:
The guide has the right to change the itinerary at any time if deemed necessary to guarantee the security of the group
Walking gear & equipment – We send you a list when you book
Tailormade tour: let us know the dates that best suit you and/or the changes you would like to do on the trek by completing
this form