The Brèche de Roland

de fr

Hike above the Cirque de Gavarnie to visit a mountain pass made famous by its name.

Details

n°13159
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.87 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,103 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,100 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 9,186 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 7,228 ft
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Photos

The eastern peak of the Brèche
View towards the north
View towards the south
La Brèche

Description of the walk

At Gavarnie, take the road to the Port de Boucharo and park at the car park at the Col des Tentes.

(S/E) Continue along the road, now closed to traffic, and reach the border pass known as Boucharo in French and Bajuruelo in Spanish.

(1) Turn left onto the wide path which, further on, crosses several streams: first the Gave des Tourettes, then the Ruisseau des Gabietous (take care as the rocks may be a little slippery). Then cross the stream flowing from the Glacier du Taillon, continue along the path and climb the small Col des Sarradets.

(2) Continue on to reach the refuge of the same name.

(3) Then take the moraine heading due south, cross the small snowfield and complete the ascent of the Brèche de Roland through the rocks.

(4) Descend via the same route to return to the Col des Tentes car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 7,251 ft - Col des Tentes car park - Col de Tentes
  2. 1 : mi 0.99 - alt. 7,448 ft - Port de Boucharo
  3. 2 : mi 2.82 - alt. 8,527 ft - Col des Sarradets
  4. 3 : mi 2.92 - alt. 8,455 ft - Les Sarradets mountain hut
  5. 4 : mi 3.45 - alt. 9,167 ft - Brèche de Roland
  6. S/E : mi 6.87 - alt. 7,244 ft - Col des Tentes car park - Col de Tentes

Notes

There is no shortage of water along this route; it can be obtained from the many streams flowing down the mountain.
The Sarradets refuge welcomes hikers for the day or overnight.

Important note: Although this is a popular route, it is somewhat challenging. The sections crossing the stream and the snowfield can be difficult. This route should only be attempted in good weather conditions and is not suitable for those unfamiliar with this type of hike.

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

Worth a visit

A magnificent walk through a stunningly beautiful rocky landscape. This pass, named after Charlemagne’s nephew, is a true pilgrimage site, and on weekends when the weather is fine, it is not uncommon to encounter hundreds of people there.
On the day of our visit, we had the pleasure of hearing a musical group at the Refuge des Sarradets playing the anthem of the Aviron Bayonnais. We were at the snowfield and the sound reaching us was a second real delight.
Further down, don’t forget to visit Gavarnie and its famous cirque

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 40 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
cmb
cmb

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 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, but it was too crowded

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Patrick9464
Patrick9464

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 : Yes

Hello,
A lovely walk in glorious sunshine – a very popular route that does require you to be physically fit.
Magnificent panoramic views, and I was lucky enough to spot some marmots.

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laurc
laurc

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

A mixed review of this must-see spot in the Pyrenees. On the one hand, a magnificent rocky landscape with a superb view from the pass. On the other, it’s absolutely heaving, with a constant stream of walkers, meaning you have to queue at certain points. Definitely best avoided in August. It’s worth noting that there’s a tricky section just before reaching the summit, which might put some people off.

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Eric Tex
Eric Tex

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 30, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

If you set off very early, you can avoid the crowds. The view is absolutely stunning on both sides of the border. A short stretch through the snow. A real favourite

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User 18836262

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent hike in stunning surroundings. There are no particular difficulties on the way to the refuge, apart from crossing the waterfall (though there wasn’t much water in July). The section across the moraine is a little trickier, as are the final 50 metres of scrambling. But the view is well worth the effort!

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User 30173831
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 01, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A really lovely walk to the Brèche de Roland (we didn’t go as far as the Taillon) with breathtaking scenery.
We did it with two children/teenagers aged 11 and 14, and they weren’t able to manage the last five minutes or so, which were a bit tricky, up to the Brèche (due to tiredness and nerves), but it’s doable at this time of year, bearing in mind that there’s quite a bit of elevation gain.
The descent on snow is quite slippery, so it’s best to have at least some hiking poles.
Crossing the waterfall before the pass (and likewise on the way down) posed no difficulty on the day we were there (the weather had been dry and warm for several days; it’s likely to be very different in late spring or early summer).

There’s a drinking water point at the Brèche de Roland refuge, which is very much appreciated.

You need to arrive early (by 8.30 am at the latest) at the Col des Tentes to find a space (free car park).
Definitely worth the detour!!!

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Chris33
Chris33
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb hike and magnificent panoramic views of France and Spain
2 hours uphill and 1 hour downhill for me

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ours65
ours65

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful sunny day to take this walk for the umpteenth time.
The difficulties:
- crossing the Taillon glacier torrent. A few yellow arrows have been painted on the rocks. More should be added to make crossing the torrent safer
- trail in the old lateral moraine above the refuge: ascent and descent in scree
- towards the end, several passages where you have to use your hands to climb up and scramble or "culing" to climb down.
The joys:
- discovering this geological phenomenon
- magnificent panorama to the south and north

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cathycoco
cathycoco

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

a beautiful day spent under the sun Passing by the delicate waterfall
lunch break at Roland's Breach
more difficult on the descent

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bernardino
bernardino ★

Hello and thank you very much for mentioning the extension to Taillon.
This hike is described on the website by clicking on this link
Have a nice day

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User 9653818

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

It would have been interesting to suggest the possibility of continuing on Le Taillon

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User 21491878

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent hike that is accessible if you have strong legs and a head for heights (there is a tricky section near the waterfall).
We did it in 6 hours there and back (including lunch breaks).
Hiking boots are essential and hiking poles are highly recommended.
The view from the breach is magnificent!

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lesbubusalain
lesbubusalain

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

We set off at the beginning of July but turned back after 4 km because there was too much snow and it was too dangerous without crampons.

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taillon65
taillon65

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The breach, my pilgrimage! Magnificent!

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sergekrzmic
sergekrzmic
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike, accessible yet with a high-mountain atmosphere. The climb really starts from the refuge and it's pretty steep! Crampons are useful for the return trip on the snowfield.
We would have liked to go all the way to Taillon, but the weather wasn't great.
A good reason to go back 😊

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