The Pyrenean chain stretches across the national boundary between France and Spain marking a natural geographic divide. However like many mountainous areas there are language compilations across the whole area with a mish mash of words and phrases borrowed from both countries. The Basque country (to the West) retains its own mysterious language!
Across the whole range there is a wide range of walking opportunities with many established walking trails and a history of recreational walking much more advanced than in many other areas of Spain.
The Pyrenees Central contains almost all of the highest peaks in Spain rising to well over 3000m as well as allowing access to many more accessible peaks during the summer months. The national park of Ordessa is here along with the summits of Perdido and Pico Aneto. There are a range of refugios providing overnight accommodation and food (see Refugios de Montaña) which enable you to stay high and wander among the giants of the chain – even if you do not want to climb to the summits.
The early signs of altitude will affect most and even if they are not a cause for medical concern many people will find themselves unusually short of breath and resting more frequently than they are used to. The answer is to adjust your pace – or as the Spanish say:- poco a poco (little by little).
This area stretches between Candanchu in the west and the borders of Andorra in the east and contains many areas that provide good accommodation. Crowded in the summer months by escapees from the heat in Madrid and Barcelona and populated by skiers in the winter months, the shoulder months of late Spring and early Autumn provide ideal times for uncrowded wandering.
Vielha, one of the many resorts, has the advantage of being high and (unusually) to the North of the Pyrenean watershed. It is furnished with limitless self catering accommodation as well as a wealth of hostals and hotels – including 2 Paradors!! Buses run up the valley making circular walks out from the valley easy to arrange.