Pyrenees sled dogs: 9 must-see spots
The Pyrenees offer an exceptional setting for a unique experience: dog sledding. Far from the arctic landscapes of Lapland or Canada, these majestic mountains are home to numerous specialist centres where passionate mushers and their husky teams invite you to discover the wide open spaces covered in snow. Whether you’re a beginner looking for a simple introduction sitting comfortably in the sleigh, or a thrill-seeker ready to drive your own team, the Pyrenees are full of exceptional places to enjoy this activity. Between unspoilt valleys, high plateaux and snow-covered forests, each place offers a special atmosphere and breathtaking scenery. Discover our selection of 9 not-to-be-missed places to go dog-sledding in the Pyrenees and experience a magical moment in contact with these formidable four-legged athletes.
Also read about the Pau guide:
- Visiting the Pyrenees: 20 must-dos
- 6 must-see Pyrenees mountain huts
- The 16 most beautiful lakes in the Pyrenees
- Randonnées Secrètes Pyrénées : Wild horses
- Most beautiful villages in the Pyrénées-Orientales
1. Nordic’Espace – La Pierre Saint-Martin and Gourette
Nordic’Espace welcomes you to two exceptional sites in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques to discover the magic of dog sledding. The first site is at La Pierre Saint-Martin, 2 kilometres from the ski resort, in the middle of the forest. The second is in Gourette, on the Bezou plateau at an altitude of 1,600 metres, accessible by cable car. Both offer unspoilt natural settings and breathtaking views of the Pyrenean peaks.
The activities on offer include a dog-sleigh experience, ideal for an adult and child who want to let themselves be carried along by the carriage driven by an experienced musher. Nordic’Espace also offers dog-sleigh driving only at La Pierre Saint-Martin, where you drive your own sled with the advice of a professional guide. Prices vary according to the duration of the activity: expect to pay around €50 for a 20-minute introduction to the sport, and up to €150 for a one-hour outing. Children under 5 are half-price, and those under 18 months free.
To book your Nordic’Espace experience, contact them on 06.59.09.99.46. This family-run business guarantees a warm welcome and an infectious passion for sled dogs and the mountains.
2. Sherpa Base Nordique – Peyragudes
At an altitude of 1450 metres, just 10 minutes from the Peyragudes ski resort, Sherpa Base Nordique welcomes you to the Grange Prairie de Balestas in Loudervielle in the Hautes-Pyrénées. This sled dog driving school enjoys a privileged location in the heart of the central Pyrenees, offering an authentic and wild setting for your discovery of mushing.
Sherpa Base Nordique offers two main packages. The first dog-sleigh experience allows you to be pulled by a pack of 10 to 12 huskies led by a professional musher. Comfortably seated in the sled with assistance, you can admire the snow-covered landscapes as they pass before your eyes. For the more adventurous, team driving offers a more intense experience: after a 30-minute technical explanation of dog behaviour and driving, each participant steers their own team pulled by 4 huskies for around an hour’s ride through the magnificent landscapes of the Pyrenees. Thrills and spills guaranteed!
Prices start from €10 for an introductory course and can rise to €150 for a complete initiation. Activities only start in October and continue throughout the winter, depending on snow conditions. Book now by calling 05.62.39.33.08 or emailing co*****@*******************au.fr.
3. Attelage Altitude – Payolle and La Mongie
Attelage Altitude offers you the chance to discover dog sledding at two legendary sites in the Hautes-Pyrénées. The first is at Payolle, on the way to the Col d’Aspin, in a verdant setting even in the snow. The second at La Mongie, in the majestic setting of the Col du Tourmalet, offers exceptional panoramic views of the highest peaks in the French Pyrenees. These two locations allow you to enjoy the beauty of the Pyrenean landscapes while practising an original and memorable activity.
Attelage Altitude’s introductory dog-sleigh experience welcomes up to 2 adults and 2 children in the same sled, driven by an experienced musher. This package, which is accessible to all, allows you to experience sledding in complete safety. For those looking for a more sporting experience, the team driving option allows you to take the controls after a full explanatory briefing. You then drive your sled in complete freedom along marked trails, accompanied at a distance by the musher.
Attelage Altitude is distinguished by its qualified professional musher, who shares her passion with enthusiasm and pedagogy. Prices vary according to the duration and type of activity chosen. For information and bookings, call 06.80.16.02.92 or email at***************@****ge.fr.
4. Mushing Pyrenees – Grand Tourmalet
On the Lienz plateau, in the snowy heart of the famous Tourmalet pass, Mushing Pyrénées invites you to enjoy a unique experience facing the Pic du Midi. The Grand Tourmalet Barèges ski area is a magnificent setting for discovering dog sledding, with breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks. This exceptional location guarantees a complete change of scenery and unforgettable memories.
Mushing Pyrénées offers a range of packages to suit all levels. The first dog-sledding experience lasts between 20 and 30 minutes and allows you to discover the thrill of gliding comfortably seated in the sled. For a more complete immersion experience, the sled driving experience begins with a detailed explanation of the sled dogs, their behaviour and driving techniques. You then prepare your own team before setting off on your journey. Mushing Pyrénées also offers half-day tours for the more enthusiastic, enabling you to explore the surrounding valleys in greater depth.
The team’s mushers share their passion with generosity and look after the well-being of their dogs, who are truly pampered and happy athletes. Prices are competitive and the quality of the coaching is renowned. Book your outing on 06.07.01.56.82 or co*****@**************es.fr.
5. Alaskan Team – Font-Romeu
Download the audio tour to discover Pau on foot and on your own
Before or after your dog-sledding experience in the Pyrenees, make the most of your stay to visit Pau, the historic capital of Béarn. This elegant city is home to the castle where Henri IV was born, and offers exceptional views of the Pyrenees from its famous Boulevard. Thanks to the Navaway audio tour, you can discover the city’s 19 places of interest at your own pace, from the Place Royale to the castle gardens, via the Hédas district and its picturesque alleyways. An ideal way to round off your Pyrenean holiday with a touch of culture and heritage.
In the Pyrénées-Orientales, at an altitude of 1965 metres on the Airelles Nordic site in Font-Romeu-Odeillo-Via, Alaskan Team offers you a sled dog experience in an exceptional setting. This undulating course in the middle of the forest benefits from generous snow cover and a remarkable amount of sunshine, characteristic of this region nicknamed the “Little Siberia in the sun”. The view of the Canigou massif and the Cerdagne adds a unique panoramic dimension to your ride.
The Alaskan Team dog sledding experience takes you on a 4-kilometre journey in a seated position, lasting around 30 minutes. The driving experience, available from the age of 12 after full technical training, lets you pilot your sled pulled by 3 or 4 dogs over a distance of 16 to 20 kilometres. This sporting outing takes place on the vast wooded plateau at an altitude of 2000 metres and lasts around 2 hours. The Alaskan Team, with over 20 years’ experience, is a state-qualified team that places great emphasis on the well-being of its dogs and the quality of its supervision.
Prices reflect the quality and duration of the services on offer. To book your adventure, contact Alaskan Team on 06.43.59.03.90. Make the most of your stay in Font-Romeu to discover the solar oven at Odeillo and the riches of the Cerdagne.
6. Amarok Sport Aventure – Ariège
Just 30 minutes from Foix, on the Col de Jouel, Amarok Sport Aventure welcomes you to the hamlet of Gayet in Cadarcet. This exceptional, peaceful setting in the Ariège Pyrenees offers an authentic, unspoilt atmosphere, far from the crowds of the big resorts. The surrounding snow-covered forest creates a magical backdrop, ideal for total immersion in the world of mushers and their dogs.
Amarok Sport Aventure offers a 30-minute dog-sleigh ride through the snow-covered forest of the Ariège Pyrenees. This ride is accessible to all, including accompanied young children, and gives you a gentle introduction to the sensations of sledding and the harmonious workings of the team. If you’re looking for a more intense experience, you can drive your own sled after a technical explanation from your guide. You’ll learn how to steer the dogs, brake and balance the sled on the more technical sections of the route.
Amarok Sport Aventure stands out for its educational approach and respect for animals. The dogs, mainly Siberian Huskies and Greenlanders, are perfectly trained and happy to share their passion for racing. Prices are affordable and include all the necessary equipment. Book your outing on 06.80.10.25.91.
7. Angaka Nordic Village – Plateau de Beille
The Plateau de Beille, at Les Cabannes in Ariège, is home to Angaka Village Nordique, a magical place dedicated to Nordic activities and sled dogs. This high-altitude plateau offers a 360-degree panorama of the finest peaks in the Ariège Pyrenees, creating a stunning backdrop for your mushing experience. The site benefits from exceptional snow cover and ideal exposure, guaranteeing optimal conditions throughout the winter.
Angaka offers a complete sled dog experience for all ages. During this ride, which lasts around an hour, you’ll experience the thrill of gliding along with the mushers and their sled dogs. There are several stops along the way, allowing you to immerse yourself in the world of the mushers, talk to them about their passion and watch the dogs at work at close quarters. For the more sporty of you, the introductory or advanced carriage driving course takes place over half a day and is available from the age of 12. This in-depth package teaches you all the driving techniques you need and lets you cover longer distances in the unspoilt countryside of the plateau.
Angaka Village Nordique also offers off-snow activities such as cani-karting from mid-October to mid-May, so you can enjoy sled dogs even when there’s no snow. Prices vary according to package and season. Contact Angaka on 05.61.01.75.60 or by email at co*****@****ka.com. When you visit the Plateau de Beille, take time to discover the surrounding valleys and the pastoral traditions still alive in this unspoilt part of the Pyrenees.
8. Traîneaux Pyrénéens – Payolle
In the enchanting setting of Lake Payolle and the Col d’Aspin, Traîneaux Pyrénéens invites you to discover the art of mushing in one of the most beautiful sites in the Hautes-Pyrénées. This unspoilt valley offers an ideal setting for dog sledding, with its open landscapes overlooking the surrounding peaks and its pine forests. Easy access from the main Pyrenean resorts makes it a popular destination for families and groups.
Traîneaux Pyrénéens offers several packages to suit all ages. Children under 8 years old can enjoy a 30-minute dog-sleigh ride during a one-hour slot, which also gives them the chance to meet the dogs and learn about their way of life (price from €30). For juniors aged 8 to 12, a special one-hour experience including a 30-minute ride is available from €40. Adults can opt for sleigh driving, which includes a 20-minute briefing followed by an hour-and-a-half ride where you steer your own team (from €180). This intensive package offers a real immersion into the world of mushing.
The Traîneaux Pyrénéens team raises and trains its own dogs, mainly Greenlanders and Huskies, guaranteeing perfect complicity between mushers and teams. The dogs are carefully looked after and their well-being is the team’s top priority. The centre also offers cani-rando activities all year round, so you can enjoy the company of your dogs even when there’s no snow. To book your outing or obtain further information, contact Traîneaux Pyrénéens directly.
9. L’Appel Sauvage – Campan Valley
In the Campan valley, in the heart of the Hautes-Pyrénées, L’Appel Sauvage® offers a complete sled dog experience. This passionate family-run business stands out for its all-encompassing approach to mushing, which includes not only sled rides but also visits to the kennels and an insight into the mushers’ daily lives. The exceptional natural setting of the valley, dominated by the Pic du Midi de Bigorre and close to the Tourmalet pass, offers magnificent panoramas on every outing.
L’Appel Sauvage offers several original packages. Sitting in a sled or go-kart (outside snowy periods) lets you discover the thrill of sliding while admiring the scenery. Driving a dog team teaches you driving techniques and allows you to lead your own team of dogs on a variety of routes. For the more sporty, single-dog activities such as cani-rando or cani-trottinette offer a different and equally rewarding approach. L’Appel Sauvage also stands out for its visits to kennels, where you can learn about the dogs’ daily lives, their diet, their training and the care they receive.
Prices vary according to the activities chosen, and generally include a rewarding educational component. The team at L’Appel Sauvage share their passion with enthusiasm and will answer all your questions about the fascinating world of sled dogs. L’Appel Sauvage is particularly suited to families with children and groups looking for a complete introduction to mushing. To organise your visit, contact L’Appel Sauvage and let us guide you through this fascinating world in the heart of the Pyrenees.
In conclusion, dog sledding in the Pyrenees is much more than just a sporting activity: it’s a human and animal adventure that connects you to the wilderness and Nordic traditions. The nine centres featured in this article each offer a unique approach to mushing, suitable for all levels and ages. From introductory sessions for families to sporting raids for the more experienced, each outing promises intense emotions and unforgettable memories in the snowy landscapes of the Pyrenees. The professional mushers who run these outings share their passion with generosity and look after the well-being of their four-legged companions. Don’t hesitate to round off your Pyrenean holiday by exploring the towns and villages of the region, such as Bayonne, accessible via the Navaway itinerary. Whether you’re drawn to the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Hautes-Pyrénées, Ariège or Pyrénées-Orientales, you’re bound to find the ideal spot to live out your white dream in contact with huskies and their passionate mushers.
FAQ
What is the average price of a dog-sleigh ride in the Pyrenees?
Prices vary according to duration and type of activity. On average, you should pay €50 per adult for a 20-minute experience in a seated position. 30-minute outings generally cost between €70 and €90, while an hour’s ride can cost up to €150 per person. For carriage driving, where you drive your own sleigh, you should expect to pay between €100 and €180 for 1? to 2 hours of activity, including a briefing. Children’s rates are generally reduced by 20 to 30%.
At what age can you start sled dogging?
Sled dog rides in a seated position are available from the age of 2 for very young children accompanied by an adult. Some centres, such as Nordic’Espace, even offer free lessons for children under 18 months. For carriage driving, the minimum age is generally set at 12, with sufficient height and maturity to understand the safety instructions and manage the carriage. Children aged between 8 and 12 can sometimes benefit from intermediate formulas adapted to their level.
When is the best time to go dog-sledding in the Pyrenees?
The sled dog season in the Pyrenees generally runs from December to March, depending on the snow cover. January and February offer the best conditions, with optimal snow cover. However, many centres also offer non-snow activities from mid-October to mid-May, such as cani-karting or cani-randoing, so you can discover sled dogs even without snow. It is advisable to book in advance, especially during school holidays and weekends.
Do you need to be in any particular physical condition to go sled dogging?
You don’t need to be in any particular physical condition to take a seated baptism. This activity is accessible to everyone, from children to senior citizens. On the other hand, driving a sled requires a certain level of physical fitness, as you may have to help the dogs up hills by pushing the sled, keep your balance and remain concentrated throughout the outing. Raids lasting several hours require good stamina. In all cases, the mushers adapt the routes to the level of the participants and provide safe supervision.
How should you dress for a dog sledding trip?
Take warm clothing in several layers: thermal underwear, fleece and a windproof waterproof jacket. Ski trousers are ideal, as are warm, waterproof snow boots. Don’t forget thick gloves, a hat or helmet, a scarf or choker, and sunglasses to protect you from the glare. Even when you’re sitting down, you’ll feel the cold because you’re not moving. When driving a carriage, you may feel warmer because the physical effort is more intense, but keep yourself well covered at the start.
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