Gouffre and Ru d'Enfer

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A shady walk that takes in a splendid canyon and wonderful waterfalls.

Details

n°7024
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.78 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,011 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,005 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 5,243 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,698 ft
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Photos

Small bridge
Cascade d'Enfer
Chasm of hell
One hell of a waterfall

Description of the walk

Park in the Bourdolés Gorges car park.
(S/E) Head towards the Waterfall d’Enfer (you can drive to the end of the road to see it and then retrace your steps).

(1) Before the end of the road, take a path on the right towards the Gouffre d’Enfer (route no. 43). Cross the Ruisseau d’Enfer via a bridge and begin a series of hairpin bends to reach a crossroads of paths.

(2) Take the path on the right towards the Gouffre d’Enfer.
Walk to the promontory for a superb view of the Gouffre d’Enfer (a rather tricky section, but made easier by a handrail to help you descend).
Continue the climb, crossing the stream again via the upper bridge. Reach the junction at the Crabioule Mine. Carry on straight ahead, ignoring the path on the right. Arrive at the Ru d’Enfer; cross it to enjoy the view of the Gorges du Ru d’Enfer (walk to the middle of the stream over the stones for the best view of these gorges).

(3) Return to the Gouffre d’Enfer crossroads.

(2) Turn right towards the Prairie de l’Artigue (path no. 42). Take care, as the signposts in this direction are not very visible. You’ll reach the meadow just after the footbridge spanning the Houradade torrent.

(4) Turn left onto path no. 40 towards the Vallée du Lys. Begin a series of tight hairpin bends to reach the Waterfall du Cœur.

(5) Continue down this path to return to the car park where you started (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,714 ft - Gorges - parking des gorges de bourdolés
  2. 1 : mi 0.16 - alt. 3,776 ft - End of the route
  3. 2 : mi 0.91 - alt. 4,452 ft - Gouffre d’Enfer crossroads
  4. 3 : mi 2.02 - alt. 5,243 ft - Ru d’Enfer
  5. 4 : mi 3.68 - alt. 4,610 ft - Prairie d’Artigue
  6. 5 : mi 4.27 - alt. 4,012 ft - Cascade du Cœur
  7. S/E : mi 4.78 - alt. 3,714 ft - Bourdolés Gorges car park - Lis (cours d'eau) - Affluent de la Pique

Notes

It’s important for this route to wear sturdy walking shoes (not trainers). If the weather’s fine, take a packed lunch and eat at the Ru d’Enfer, listening to the sound of the water in a stunning setting. I’d recommend taking walking poles.

Worth a visit

At the end of the walk, you can have a drink or a bite to eat at the inn next to the car park.
On your way back to the car, stop off at the village of Oo to have a look around (a lovely village full of flowers).

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 125 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 31140515

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 01, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with some beautiful waterfalls to see. We completed it in 3 hours instead of 4.
Just one minor drawback: the red route on the app is rather rough and makes it difficult to find your way, especially in the woodland…
A walk well worth doing – the scenery is magnificent

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Nadège12
Nadège12

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 14, 2026
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk
With several points of interest (waterfall, stream, etc.)
No particular difficulties

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StefanV59
StefanV59

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 04, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely route, challenging in just a few sections, and offering great views of the waterfalls.

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Véronique Haensler
Véronique Haensler

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk through the forest, especially as it was sweltering. The waterfall, followed by the chasm and then the stream, are easily reached via a well-signposted path offering some lovely views. The rest of the circular walk takes you through the forest, allowing you to see the ‘Cascade du Cœur’ and descend quickly into the Vallée du Lis.

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Souhaly
Souhaly

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, shaded for almost the entire route. The elevation gain is gradual and manageable for average hikers. Our smartwatch recorded a distance of 1.5 km more than the advertised 7.5 km.
The view of the waterfall and the Ru is really lovely.
The route is brilliant and offers a variety of scenery.

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User 27338957

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely, rather challenging walk
The signposting is non-existent in places
A shame

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marmelade95
marmelade95

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk, well signposted.

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marmelade95
marmelade95

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A well-signposted path. An easy walk. The waterfall was dry and access to it was prohibited. You can return via a parallel path that crosses the stream several times (perfect for dogs on hot days). This also gives you the chance to see the old charcoal kilns.

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Netlander
Netlander

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 25, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk, entirely in the shade
The car park is almost full by 9 am at this time of year.
You need to be careful on the descent so as not to miss the return route at point 2

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cilou0102
cilou0102

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 13, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent walk, mostly in the shade. There aren’t many open views, but the scenery is superb, with plenty of waterfalls and streams. I’d definitely recommend it.

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bergpaden
bergpaden

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 29, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, shaded walk. Not at all difficult.
Thank you

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dom87
dom87

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A wonderful, easy hike – one of the most beautiful in the area – with plenty of shade and a very pleasant atmosphere. There are stunning waterfalls, and at the top of the trail, a stream flows between two rocks, where you can easily wade upstream a little. One of the best hikes I’ve done this summer. Don’t hesitate to pop down to the viewpoint halfway through the hike.

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PaulaGauthier
PaulaGauthier

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 15, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, mostly in the shade and with plenty of water
We did it in the opposite direction and added the Crabouille mines, which allows you to see the cirque and be up on the heights; allow an extra 1½ hours

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bardoumagniez
bardoumagniez

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A long, looped hike with gentle twists and turns, truly magnificent with ideal weather! Waterfalls everywhere, the impressive Ru d'Enfer canyon, pleasant forest crossings, and breathtaking scenery from the car park onwards!

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Monticole
Monticole

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with a superb 360° view of the Pyrenees at the end. Sunny weather, blue skies and moderate temperatures made it easy to cross the splendid summer pastures. It was a real pleasure to discover Aneto and Maladeta. Many thanks.

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