Gavarnie – Refuge des Espuguettes

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Start from Gavarnie and climb towards the Plateau de Bellevue, then descend to the Grande Waterfall. From the Hôtellerie du Cirque, climb via the ledges to the Refuge des Espuguettes, with a campsite nearby.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Route of the three cirques: Gavarnie, Estaubé and Troumouse

Details

n°68262566
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–
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.36 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 3,901 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,759 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 6,624 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4,482 ft
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Description of the walk

Start from the centre of Gavarnie, near the Tourist Office.

(S) Head towards the church and the town hall.

(1) Keep to the right towards the church and the cemetery, walk alongside the cemetery and take the path uphill towards the Plateau de Bellevue through the Gavarnie State Forest: continuous views of the cirque and the Grande Waterfall.

(2) Once you reach the plateau, turn left towards the cirque.

(3) Leave the nature trail on your left and continue straight on towards the Bosquet Long.

(4) Begin the descent into the cirque.

(6) Turn left towards the footbridge over the Gave de Pau.

(5) Cross the footbridge and turn right. Then make your way to the foot of the Grande Waterfall.

(6) Turn round and head down to the Hôtellerie du Cirque.

(7) Walk along the right-hand side of the buildings and head towards the Chalet de Pailla via the ledges. Continue uphill until you reach the Chalet de Pailla: magnificent views of the Pic Rouge de Pailla.

(8) Cross the stream of the same name and you’ll soon come to a junction.

(9) Turn right to reach the Refuge des Espuguettes and the designated campsite (E).

Waypoints

  1. S : mi 0 - alt. 4,482 ft - Gavarnie Tourist Office
  2. 1 : mi 0.17 - alt. 4,521 ft - Town hall, on the right
  3. 2 : mi 1.82 - alt. 5,600 ft - Bellevue Plateau.
  4. 3 : mi 2.75 - alt. 5,358 ft - Passage above the Bosquet Long
  5. 4 : mi 3.35 - alt. 5,240 ft - Junction, on the left
  6. 5 : mi 3.46 - alt. 5,161 ft - Footbridge - Gave de Pau
  7. 6 : mi 4.14 - alt. 6,093 ft - Grande Waterfall
  8. 7 : mi 4.91 - alt. 5,138 ft - Hôtellerie du Cirque.
  9. 8 : mi 6.28 - alt. 5,735 ft - Chalet-Refuge de Pailha (1750m)
  10. 9 : mi 6.38 - alt. 5,699 ft - Junction, turn right
  11. E : mi 7.36 - alt. 6,624 ft - Arrival at the designated campsite - Refuge des Espuguettes

Notes

(E) Regulated and marked-out bivouac area next to the Refuge des Espuguettes.
(E) Water point at the Refuge des Espuguettes (during the summer season).

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Other walks in the area

Walking Route of the three cirques: Gavarnie, Estaubé and Troumouse

Visorando Member
↔29.94 mi ↗+9,777 ft ↘-9,252 ft ◔4 days ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Gavarnie (Hautes-Pyrénées)
A four-day route of the three cirques of Gavarnie, Estaubé and Troumouse, including the ascent of the Piméné. A self-guided route with nights spent in bivouacs.

Walking The Cirque de Gavarnie via the ledges

Visorando Member
Le cirque de Gavarnie par les vires
↔7.19 mi ↗+2,313 ft ↘-2,306 ft ◔5h 20 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Gavarnie (Hautes-Pyrénées)
This trail is much less frequented than the main path and offers more views of the cirque along most of its length. ⚠️From 1 November to 30 April, and as soon as the quiet zone is established, using the route between 4 and 5 constitutes an offence under the National Park regulations: a 4th category offence under: R.331-65 3° — "Deliberate disturbance of the peace in the core area of the National Park" (€750 fine)." ⚠️ DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED between 2-3-4 and 5. Please check with the Gavarnie Tourist Office before setting off: +33 (0)5 62 92 49 10.

Walking Refuge du Pailha circular

Visorando Member
Refuge du Pailha en boucle
↔5.94 mi ↗+1,388 ft ↘-1,385 ft ◔3h 55 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Gavarnie (Hautes-Pyrénées)
A magnificent circular hike that allows you to climb to a high altitude without too much difficulty and arrive at a refuge guarded by very friendly people. The return journey takes you along a path carved into the rock, offering splendid views.

Walking Cirque Gavarnie par le Plateau de Bellevue et Bosquet Long

Visorando Member
Cirque Gavarnie par le Plateau de Bellevue et Bosquet Long
↔7.53 mi ↗+2,228 ft ↘-2,231 ft ◔5h 25 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Gavarnie (Hautes-Pyrénées)
The Cirque de Gavarnie needs no introduction, it's a monument! The passage through the Plateau de Bellevue offers a wonderful viewpoint. Without snow, the path running along the side of the Bosquet Long heights adds an extra element of excitement, allowing you to appreciate it in all its splendour and tranquillity, which is not possible on the more well-known variants. The more classic return route allows you to cross the very pleasant La Prade plateau, as well as meeting other people. ⚠️ Hiking is prohibited from 1 November to 30 April. Once the quiet zone is in place, using this route between (4) and (5) constitutes a violation of National Park regulations. This is a category 4 offence under: R.331-65 3° — "Deliberate disturbance of the peace in the core area of the National Park" (€750 fine). ⚠️ DOGS PROHIBITED See other prohibitions in the practical information section. Please check with the Gavarnie Tourist Office before setting off: +33 (0)5 62 92 49 10.

Walking Gavarnie waterfall with return via the Cirque du Pailla

Visorando Member
Cascade de Gavarnie avec retour par le cirque du Pailla
↔7.27 mi ↗+2,156 ft ↘-2,142 ft ◔5h 15 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Gavarnie (Hautes-Pyrénées)
Hike in the most famous cirque in the Pyrenees. Return via the path leading to the Cirque du Pailla, which allows you to avoid the crowds and gain height to enjoy this magnificent place from a different perspective.

Walking The Taillon

Visorando Member
↔12.76 mi ↗+6,680 ft ↘-6,706 ft ◔6 hrs ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Gavarnie (Hautes-Pyrénées)
The summit of the Taillon as seen from Gavarnie, via the Brèche de Roland refuge.

Walking Gavarnie to the Espuguettes Refuge

Visorando Member
Gavarnie vers Refuge des Espuguettes
↔7.16 mi ↗+3,868 ft ↘-1,677 ft ◔6h 40 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Gavarnie (Hautes-Pyrénées)
Day 1 The Cirque de Gavarnie needs no introduction; it is a monument, a cathedral, a colossus. The route via the Plateau de Bellevue allows you to discover it from this remarkable viewpoint. The path running along the slopes of the Bosquet Long adds an extra dimension, allowing you to appreciate it in all its splendour and enjoy a tranquillity not found on the more well-known routes. The return route along the ledge on the right bank takes you back to the Refuge des Espuguettes, where you’ll spend the first night.

Walking Cirque de Gavarnie via the Plateau de Bellevue

Visorando Member
Cirque de Gavarnie par le Plateau de Bellevue
↔6.95 mi ↗+1,450 ft ↘-1,470 ft ◔4h 25 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Gavarnie (Hautes-Pyrénées)
Walk to the Cirque de Gavarnie, staying above the Plateau de Bellevue, aptly named. ⚠️ Hiking is prohibited from 1 November to 30 April. Once the quiet zone is in place, using this route between (4) and (7) constitutes a violation of National Park regulations. This is a category 4 offence under: R.331-65 3° — "Deliberate disturbance of the peace in the core area of the National Park" (€750 fine). ⚠️ DOGS PROHIBITED See other prohibitions in the practical information section. Please check with the Gavarnie Tourist Office before setting off: +33 (0)5 62 92 49 10.

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