Mountainbug, Pyrenees mountain guiding services

We had a great week walking at different locations around Bareges. Either Rob or Emma took us to a variety of places during the week tailored to the weather and suited to what our group wanted. Each walk was interesting and enjoyable, which was added to by their commentary and knowledge about the area's flora and geological features. It was great having guides in a French area who could converse in English. The chalet we returned to each day was comfortable and clean. Lovely Shereen looked after us so well and cooked us beautiful meals. Rob suggested a lovely rustic restaurant for lunch on our mid week rest day. All in all, we had a lovely relaxing week and can highly recommend Mountainbug for a Pyrenees holiday.

We had a wonderful 2 weeks at Chalet les Cailloux. Really great food using local produce. My dietary requirements were fully catered. Excellent access to skiing and walking. Local knowledge of Emma and Rob most helpful.

We had two walking holidays with Mountainbug in the Pyrenees and both were superb. Our group stayed in their comfortable chalet and also did a trek staying in refuges. We had a great time with excellent guiding and geology information. On the first trip we walked through the Cirque de Gavarnie, then the Breche de Roland to the Grand Canyon of Ordesa - a memorable trip. The second trip was also enjoyed by the group including the refuge with its friendly pig. I can recommend Mountainbug highly.

We did one week of hiking the Pyrenees with Rob. We are a group of 6 Canadian women. Rob had great knowledge of: the hiking routes, flora and fauna, geology, history and folklore. Without well marked routes, Rob always took us where we wanted to be. This was sturdy hiking with some scrambling, not simple walking. The scenery was beautiful. Rob had a great sense of humour and was very personable and accommodating and sensitive to our group dynamic. Go with Mountainbug, you will be very happy!

MountainBug has many good factors, but we would not use them again. The week of hiking was advertised to be at level 2 (medium ability), but then several level 3 hikers (stronger ability) joined our group at the last minute — and all the hikes were tailored to them. The guide/owner and the fast hikers would zoom ahead, and then, after a while, they would sit down and chat, watching us as we hurried to catch up to them. It took us only about 15 minutes every time, but as soon as we reached the resting group, the guide jumped up and the hike continued. We didn’t get a break. We didn’t get to hear the information about the history, flora and fauna that the fast hikers received. The guide/owner was not encouraging to us but tolerant at best. His wife and co-owner, who is also a guide, was really super, but unfortunately he was the guide on most days. This part of the Pyrénées is fabulous but I would choose a different tour company. Our other hiking tours in the Alps, Sierra Nevadas, Canadian Rockies, and Colorado Rockies were awesome, even with groups of mixed abilities. Sometimes we were the stronger hikers, sometimes not, but the other guides handled it well. We did enjoy the chalet and the communal atmosphere with the other hikers. The packed lunches were adequate, but it’s fair to say that other companies provide better food on the mountain. One lunch was a demi baguette spread with hummus and a few pieces of sun-dried tomato, an apple, and a small bag of snack chips. The chalet hosts were lovely, and the afternoon teas and the dinners were marvelous.

A wonderful chalet, great location and excellent food! Highly recommend.