Cirque de Lis or Érès Lits

de fr

A short but exotic hike in the wild Barrada valley, accessible in summer and winter (with snowshoes), leading to the small Cirque d'Érès Lits through woods and mountain pastures.

Details

n°59767619
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.25 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 690 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 690 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,599 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 909 m
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Description of the walk

From Luz-Saint-Sauveur, head towards Gavarnie-Gèdre on the D921. At Pragnères, park in the large car park opposite the hydroelectric power station.

(S/E) From the car park, cross the road carefully and take a small lane opposite the pedestrian crossing (signposts and information boards). Follow this lane to a footbridge.

(1) Cross the footbridge over the Bat Barrada stream and follow the path on the left to a forest track.

(2) Just after the first bend in the track, take a path on the left towards the hamlet of Pragnères dessus. Then rejoin the forest track heading south-east and following the left bank of the Bat Barrada stream.

(3) At another bend in the forest track, turn left onto a path in the middle of the bend and follow the stream on the same bank.

(4) Cross the Crabiou Bridge to reach the other bank of the stream (right bank) and stay on this path to reach the Cirque de Lis or Érès Lits.

(5) At the cirque, turn around and return to the car park (S/E) via the same route.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 909 m - Pragnères car park. Near the - Gave de Pau
  2. 1 : km 0.1 - alt. 919 m - Pragnères footbridge
  3. 2 : km 0.43 - alt. 963 m - Hairpin bend
  4. 3 : km 1.34 - alt. 1,107 m - Hairpin bend
  5. 4 : km 2.2 - alt. 1,277 m - Crabiou Bridge
  6. 5 : km 5.13 - alt. 1,599 m - Cirque de Lis
  7. S/E : km 10.25 - alt. 909 m - Pragnères car park

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 6 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
LéaT
LéaT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike accessible without crampons or snowshoes on the date of the hike. We were unable to reach the end of the cirque because at around kilometre 4.3 there is a very large pile of snow covered with dead leaves (very slippery) on the side of the river gorge, which is dangerous and difficult to cross.
There is also a fallen tree across the path at kilometre 2.8, but it is possible to either go around it on the right or climb over the branches.
Otherwise, it was a very beautiful and easily accessible hike. It took us 3 hours and 45 minutes round trip, including photo breaks and a picnic.

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cathycoco
cathycoco

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

a good day, half rain, half sunshine, the climb up the little path was very wet, so we came down via the road
the cirque is magnificent

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User 21434785

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike, not very busy, fairly accessible, with the first part in the forest (very pleasant in warm weather). I recommend it!

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Milix
Milix

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant hike with plenty of shade. The path along the river is fantastic!
Very few hikers on this route.
We missed point 3... but didn't realise we had to go back up the river... With our feet in the water...
Suitable for families.

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la mede
la mede

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

magnificent wild valley, easy to do

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Placo
Placo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We followed the GPS track.
A very pretty little cirque, little known.

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