The Pista Waterfall

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This is a short but intense hike to a beautiful, uncrowded waterfall and spectacular scenery. It is best done in late spring to fully enjoy the waterfall.

Details

n°4004204
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.84 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 487 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 481 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,184 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 712 m
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Photos

The waterfall in summer
waterfall
Bürüxeia ridge
Pista Waterfall

Description of the walk

To reach the starting point of this hike from Tardets via the D26, turn left below the campsite at the entrance to Larrau, about 100 metres after the sign marking the entrance to the village, and take a small road that becomes a track. Follow this beautiful track, which is accessible to all vehicles, for about 8 km to reach a small car park.

There are red and white markings along the entire route.

(S/E) From the car park, take the track that climbs to the right; the one on the left descends towards the Holzarté footbridge. The track winds its way up to a small ford and a water intake.

(1) Ford the stream. The track levels out and arrives at a fork: take the right-hand path towards Pista and climb into the forest. The slope becomes steeper and the path is straight, but you will need to zigzag between the trees to get out of the forest.

(2) From this point, the slope is less steep and crosses a clearing covered with ferns. The path then splits in two at a small post marked with theGR® Blanc and Rouge trail markers.

(3) Take the left fork and walk until you find another small post withGR® markings.

(4) At this point, there are two paths: take the one on the right and climb up to the waterfall.

(5) Return via the same path to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 726 m - Small car park
  2. 1 : km 0.72 - alt. 831 m - Fording
  3. 2 : km 1.41 - alt. 935 m - Exit the forest
  4. 3 : km 1.82 - alt. 1,027 m - Fork
  5. 4 : km 1.97 - alt. 1,061 m - GR® marker, on the right
  6. 5 : km 2.47 - alt. 1,184 m - Cascade de Pista
  7. S/E : km 4.84 - alt. 725 m - Small car park

Notes

Between (4) and the waterfall, the path can be very slippery, even in dry weather, as the ferns retain moisture. Take great care, especially when descending.

High-top shoes are recommended.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 9 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Claraazimut
Claraazimut

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I did this hike with my two dogs. The climb is easy to walk, the only difficulty being the non-stop elevation gain. The waterfall is superb and well worth the detour!

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Annie971
Annie971

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

an hour and a half of fairly tough climbing! We were lucky enough to come across a summer pasture. There were 1,800 animals with a shepherd working for seven owners, without any sheepdogs! There are no wolves or bears in the area. The beauty of the site made the hike worthwhile, but in summer the waterfall is rather small.

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User 8509723

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike done on a hot day. It is well shaded at the start in the undergrowth, but the sections through the fern fields were more difficult (humid heat +++).
A hike that climbs non-stop to the magnificent waterfall. And returns along the same path. No particular difficulty apart from the steep climb.

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MMH
MMH

What a shame we missed this hike: roadworks on the path leading to the starting point prevented us from reaching it! But it really appealed to us!!!

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isabellebl
isabellebl

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A parish-specific, very beautiful hike to see this waterfall
Good shoes and walking sticks are highly recommended for this hike
There are numerous landmarks along the route, making it easy to follow.
There is a very slippery section near point 4 in the description.

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kattalin
kattalin

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello
We stopped before the car park (confusion on our part regarding the map), but it doesn't matter at all... we warmed up.
Everything else is very well explained. Thank you.
You need to be in good shape
You absolutely must have good footwear, and one or two walking sticks are welcome.
Bring water, a hat, etc.
When the animals are out to pasture, there will be horseflies.

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Tren
Tren

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike to see this waterfall! We climbed in wet weather... it was like an ice rink going up... mud and holes!!!! A challenging climb up and down in these conditions!!! And mist over the waterfall...

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Rcool
Rcool

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

sloping, slightly slippery areas that are not exposed to the sun, in the undergrowth or among ferns

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Papillon64974
Papillon64974

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 02, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike only followed from the junction with the GRT11, i.e. at the end of the track, near the car park.
The hike climbs quite a bit, so be careful in case of rain as it gets very slippery. Very beautiful waterfall.

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paulien.guillaume
paulien.guillaume

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2021
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 to do with children. It's a tough climb but a short hike. The descent is slippery in wet weather. Magnificent waterfall!

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Sébastien Guéry
Sébastien Guéry

Hello Le marcheur65,

I'm going hiking around Larrau this summer.
Do you know this area well?
I would like some advice, as I am planning a 3-day circular. There are two of us, and we hike regularly in Brittany (3 week-long hikes in the low mountains).
Day 1: Port de Larrau to Chalet d'Iraty via the Spanish GR 12 and then the GRT10
Day 2: Chalet d'Iraty to Logibar via the GR10
Day 3: Logibar to Port de Larrau via the GRT 11 then the Spanish GR => I'm not sure about the duration of this stage. I estimate it to be 18 km, but I'm having trouble assessing the difficulty and time required.

I would be very grateful to benefit from your experience and advice.

Thank you!

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