Gave de Pau walks

(!) (September 2024) Following recent bad weather, the footbridge at (6) has been washed away. Crossing the Gave de Pau river is tricky and strongly discouraged. (!) Update 25/06/2025, Vallées de Gavarnie Tourist Office. => The footbridge located at (6) has been repaired and will be reopened to the public on 25/06/2025.However, the footbridge upstream from the Hôtellerie du Cirque (9) is still not in place and crossing the Gave de Pau river is tricky depending on the water level. A different approach to the Cirque de Gavarnie. The plateau gives you an overview that allows you to take in the whole site at a glance. A little later, you can stroll through the cirque to appreciate its full majesty. To quote Victor Hugo, it is the Colosseum of nature.

To the west of Argelès-Gazost, there is a very pretty, not too difficult circuit on well-maintained trails offering two viewpoints over the Gave de Pau valley and a 360° view of the Central Pyrenees!

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.

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.

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.

Starting from Gavarnie, enjoy a change of scenery by escaping to the wild plateaus at the foot of the Grand and Petit Piméné (2,801m and 2,667m). The Refuge des Espuguettes is a beautiful stop along the way. If you push on a little further to the Plateau des Cardous, you can admire the entire border range, the peaks of the Cirque, just for you, from the Tour du Marboré (3009m) to the Mailh Arrouy (2965m), passing by the majestic Vignemale (3,298 m). A change of scenery and tranquillity guaranteed!

A beautiful site in summer, with its majestic waterfall. Please note that it is very busy in summer.In winter, you will appreciate the magnificent, peaceful landscape with the ice waterfalls at the bottom of the cirque.This circuit can be done very easily at any time of year:- in 3 hours in summer, including breaks and lunch.- but in 3 to 4 hours in winter.

It was following Napoleon III's visit that this small town in the Pyrenees began to flourish. This route highlights the buildings that the Emperor was directly or indirectly responsible for. Firstly, there is the spa district of Saint-Sauveur, then the bridge that bears his name and spans the Gavarnie river, and finally the small Solférino chapel, a reminder of his victory over the Prussians.

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.

This magnificent hike takes you off the beaten track for more than half of the route, passing through splendid, varied and uncrowded landscapes. Forests, small waterfalls, passages under cornices and breathtaking panoramas, before arriving at the highlight of the show, the foot of the Grande Cascade de Gavarnie.