Hiking in the French Pyrenees National Park

Arrival and check-in at your hotel in Cauterets. Depending on what time you arrive, you have the opportunity to take a shorter hike on Chemin des Cascades – a delightful trail lined with six rushing waterfalls that follows Gave du Jéret up towards Pont d'Espagne.

Accommodation in Cauterets

You start the morning with a short transfer from Cauterets to Pont d´espagne. From there you walk towards the Oulettes de Gaube hut at 2151 meters altitude. The landscape is fantastically beautiful with Lac du Gaube and the French Pyrenees' highest peak, Vignemale in the background. Once you reach Oulettes de Gaube you stand facing Pique Longue (Grand Vignemale) which at 3298 m is the center of the French Pyrenees. From here you can choose between going back to Cauterets via the mythical GR10 trail or taking a local bus. If you take the bus, the day totals 16.5 km +700m/-700m.

Accommodation in Cauterets

A shorter transfer in the morning takes you to Pont d´Espagne. Then a beautiful hike awaits in the heart of the national park where you hike through Marcadau – one of the national park's most beloved valleys. Admire the endless panoramic views along the mountain range and the neighboring valleys. At over 2400 meters altitude you will pass several beautiful turquoise lakes such as Emarrat, Pourtet and Nére lakes. On the way back along the mountainside you pass beautiful forest areas, waterfalls and walk through green meadows and pass small cozy mountain villages. There is also the possibility to do a somewhat easier round trip of 15 km, +450 m/-450m. 

Accommodation in Cauterets

In the morning you leave Cauterets and are driven up to Plateau du Maillet. Today's hike is entirely devoted to the magnificent cirque de Troumouse. From the plateau you walk up towards a high-lying central part of this vast natural amphitheater, where the mountain walls rise over 3000 meters. Then you follow a beautiful mountain trail above the valley and continue down towards the small village of Héas, before making a final ascent back to your accommodation at Plateau du Maillet.

Accommodation in Plateau du Maillet

From Plateau du Maillet  you hike towards the deep turquoise Lac des Gloriettes and further through a landscape filled with marmot calls and summer-grazing herds. The highlight is the Hourquette d'Alans pass (2430 m), where the view opens up. The descent goes via Refuge des Espuguettes, one of the tour's most photogenic places. An easier variant is available in bad weather or early season.

Accommodation in Gavernie

The day is devoted to the Pyrenees' most iconic amphitheater. From the Bellevue plateau you get a full panoramic view over the vertical limestone walls before continuing into the heart of the circus. A short detour leads to the foot of Gavarnie's 423 meter high waterfall, one of Europe's highest. Then you walk calmly back to the village. 

Accommodation in Gavernie

The trip ends after breakfast and a transfer takes you at 11:30 to Cauterets.