Lavedan walks

This easy hike leads to the foot of the Cirque d'Estaubé. Although less famous than its neighbour Gavarnie, the Cirque d'Estaubé is a magnificent sight, with many waterfalls. Great picnic opportunities in a superb mountain setting.

Departing from Le Pont d'Espagne, this moderately demanding hike will take you into the Pyrenees National Park to discover Lac de Gaube and the Oulettes de Gaube refuge, from where you can admire the Vignemale, the highest peak in the Pyrenees at 3298m. If you're lucky, you might even spot some marmots.

This pretty mid-mountain lake (1,731 m) on the GR®10 is easy to access and overlooked by peaks over 2,500 m high. It makes for a pleasant hike of a few hours. It is also accessible in winter, under the snow, on foot or with snowshoes. The long walk through the magnificent forest along the Gave de Gaube, on the side of the Gaube coast, makes the discovery of the mountains even more beautiful when you arrive at the first Huats lake with the north face of the Vignemale as a backdrop.

(!) (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.

A beautiful hike in the Lutour Valley, which is a magnificent place.

This three-day hike allows you to see at least 20 lakes. It is divided into three parts and includes two nights in a refuge (or in a tent). The first day is quite difficult. The times for each stage are those I have noted. They include photo breaks, meals, discussions, and time spent with your feet in the water. Please note that there are three hikes (normal walking pace).

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 hike, starting from Pont d'Espagne, will take you to the heart of the Pyrenees National Park. You will follow the Marcadau valley to reach the lakes of Embarrat, Pourtet and Nère at an altitude of over 2,400 metres.

A beautiful walk in the Vallon des Granges de Bué, which can be done with children provided they are fit.

In the Val d'Azun, away from the shores of Lake Estaing the Barbat huts and Lake Barbat are perfect for a day out.

Discover Lac de Gaube from La Raillère, south of Cauterets, via theGR®10.

This is a very accessible walk. After following a valley where irises bloom in late July, it climbs up to the Lac de Barrage dets Coubous. It then winds its way from lake to lake, across the meadows of a high-altitude cirque.

This trail is much less frequented than the main path and offers more views of the cirque along most of its length. Credit: our guide Laurent from Pyrénées Autrement described this trail to us. Moderator's note s a dangerous, unsecured section; see reviews Route impassable the Gavarnie Tourist Office reports:Following the floods of 7 September 2024, the route described here is currently impassable.Although the trails have not been significantly affected, crossing the Gave de Gavarnie is impossible in many places (footbridges have been washed away or weakened, banks are dangerous).Please stay on the marked paths and check with the Gavarnie Tourist Office before setting off: 05 62 92 49 10.

Pure beauty! A hike that will take your breath away, surrounded by cows, marmots and chamois!

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.

The Batcrabère lakes are nestled in a cirque at the foot of a rampart formed by the Balaïtous, which rises to 3,144 metres, the Pic Palas (2,974 metres) and the Pic d'Artouste (2,816 metres). You are entering a national park: please respect the regulations https://www.pyrenees-parcnational.fr/fr/... https://www.parcsnationaux.fr/fr/des-dec...

This hike will take you to the bottom of the Estaing Valley to discover the Liantran Lakes and pastoral remains. You will discover the Lac d'Estaing, then the Lac de Langle (sometimes dry in summer), the Lac du Plaa de Prat, and finally the Lacs de Liantran. There are no difficulties from May onwards, although in spring there may still be some snow drifts, so caution is advised. Pyrenean ibex and chamois are often spotted here.

A 24 km loop to discover between lakes, mountain streams, peaks, mountain pines and wildlife.

This relatively easy hike offers many attractions: beautiful scenery, several lakes along the route for fishing enthusiasts, and the option of completing a loop via the Col de Tracens, bringing you back to the starting point.

Pretty lakes at the bottom of a little-visited cirque (altitude 2,192 m) in the pretty valley of the Ruisseau de Labas.Marmots, chamois and vultures are often seen in the Bouleste valley.Please note: in spring, when the snow melts, it is sometimes impossible to cross the Ruisseau de Labas at the WPT (3).

Short 2-hour hike to the Ilhéou refuge (not forgetting the return trip).

This is a must-see hike for fishermen and mountain lake enthusiasts, offering a quiet, unspoilt spot that is rarely visited. Lake Maucapéra is nestled in a basin at the foot of the Maucapéra peak (2,589 m), Cumadiére peak (2,623 m) and Lettious peak (2,589 m).

You will be captivated by this short route, which leads to a breathtaking panorama of the Estaubé and Gavarnie cirques, the Pic de Cestrède and the Ardiden and Pic du Midi massifs.

The path begins in the undergrowth of the Pyrenees National Park. From waterfall to waterfall, we reach Pont d'Espagne and its hotel. The path passes through the forest, which is very pleasant in summer. We walk along the Gave du Marcadau or Cauterets. This hike is a classic in the region.

This hike, which generally follows the valley floor, will take you on a gentle slope to the Wallon-Marcadau refuge. You will alternate between mountain pine forests, peat bogs and meadows until you reach the refuge, where the landscape becomes more rocky. A beautiful variety of landscapes and fairly easy access make this a very enjoyable hike starting from Pont d'Espagne.

This is a beautiful, fairly challenging route that offers views of Pic d'Arrens and the high mountains in the background. This path connects the Tech dam valley to the Lac d'Estaing valley via the summer pastures.

One of the most beautiful panoramas in the Cauterets region. Accessible without any particular difficulty. 360° view of the highest peaks in the central Pyrenees.

Starting from the Ancienne Maison du Parc south of the village of Arrens Marsous, this is a lovely walk to the Remoulis lakes, passing through the Bedout pine forest, Lac de Suyen and Labassa. On the way, there is a view of the Doumblas waterfall. Throughout the hike, there are superb views of the Arrens valley.

An easy and very pleasant walk, ideal if the weather prevents you from going to the high mountains.

This hike is not technically difficult but goes beyond the scope of a "Sunday stroll". Its appeal lies in reaching the pastoral summer pastures above the magnificent Batsurguère valley, at the gateway to Lourdes, and taking a break in a perfectly maintained refuge hut. To the west, you can see the Aguée valley, towards the Col d'Espadres. The place is quiet and superb. With a bit of luck, you will be in the company of horses roaming free on the grassy slopes of the pass.

A pleasant little summit easily accessible from the large car park at Col de Couraduque. Thefirst part to Col de Bazès is on easy forest tracks. However, thesecond part to the summit of Pic de Bazès is more technical. At the summit, there is a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains.

A lovely half-day hike through green summer pastures to Lac d'Ilhéou and its rocky landscape. Enjoy a 360° panorama of the surrounding peaks from the start of the hike.

I suggest you discover the beautiful and uncrowded Lac du Chabarrou, at an altitude of 2,300 m. An interesting alternative to the very popular hike to the Oulettes de Gaube refuge. Access is challenging. Don't forget to admire the Pont d'Espagne (a very popular tourist site) before or after your hike.

Pic de Berbeillet is a small, easily accessible peak which, thanks to its location, offers a stunning 360° panoramic view.

Le Cabaliros is a classic Pyrenean peak above Cauterets. Take the southern route, which is the longest, through woods, lush summer pastures and abundant mountain streams, rather than the Val d'Azun route. The length of the route and the significant elevation gain make this a challenging route reserved for experienced hikers. Enjoy a 360° view from the summit over the main Pyrenean range, the Saint-Pé-de-Bigorre massif and all the surrounding valleys.

A beautiful lake with an island, difficult to access from Lake Ilhéou. This hike is classified as difficult because the path is steep from Lac d'Ilhéou and a good sense of direction is necessary at the end of the route. This summer hike can be undertaken from the end of June until the first snowfall (for the Ilhéou - Hourat section). Beware of Patou, the sheepdog. Do not cross through a flock, but go around it.

Follow old paths hidden under beech and hazel trees to discover three villages with a rich traditional architectural heritage.

This is a very beautiful hike, but it requires good physical condition, good weather and sure-footedness. Be extra careful on a very short section of the ridge. The climb to the peak is difficult. Those who are prone to vertigo or have poor footwear should take a lower path towards the pass, starting at (4), and arrive at the bottom of the final climb to Pic de Viscos.

This is a fairly uncrowded hike leading to magnificent lakes below the Pic d'Ardiden, crossing small mountain pastures and ending in a fairly rocky area.

This is a hike that is accessible to everyone. The entire return journey is in the open at the bottom of the valley and, weather permitting, you can admire the flying wings in flight and the peaks of the Soum de la Pène to Grand Gabizos mountain range (north to north-west).

This is an easy route as there are no steep slopes, although its length could classify it as 'moderate'. It takes you around Lac de Soum via the Col de la Serre, the yellow house, the Col de Bazès and the Cantau hut. A picnic break by the lake will make this route even more accessible.

The hike becomes very challenging as soon as you leave the wide path that leads to the Estom refuge. The hike is classified as difficult due to its steep gradient, with an average slope of more than 35% from (2).

A beautiful walk that takes us across the Lutour valley along the Gave river of the same name, ending at the refuge and Lac d'Estom in a magnificent setting, ideal for a first break.

A long time ago, a group of young people spent a memorable week at the Bolou stopover lodge, between Luz-St-Sauveur and Barèges. Although the accommodation no longer exists, the building is still as it was when we found it during a beautiful walk under, in, and almost above the clouds. I invite you to follow us into one of the valleys that leads to the Néouvielle Massif.

First stage of the Three Days in the Néouvielle Reserve and its lakes. From the Tournaboup car park to the Bastan refuge. This is a fairly challenging hike due to its elevation gain and short distance. At (6), you can listen to the stage and remove some of the elevation gain. See Practical Information. At (7), you can shorten the route and remove some of the elevation gain by starting on a south-facing balcony trail.

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.

For mineral enthusiasts. This walk offers many attractions, including beautiful scenery, several lakes along the route and the option of completing a loop via the Refuge de la Glére, returning to the starting point (for experienced walkers).

Tour of the Cité Saint-Pierre via the Béout ridge, passing by the summit cross and the old cable car station with views of Lourdes, the Gave de Pau and the start of the Vallée des Gaves.This hike in a wild area, with little or no signposting and trails that are difficult to see in summer and overgrown with ferns (especially on the descent), makes it accessible only to "adventurers" over the age of 10 who are not afraid of discovering this little summit!

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.

A beautiful hike that leads to Lake Isaby via the ruins of Saint-Orens Abbey and the Isaby Valley. A pleasant trail, sometimes steep, mostly in the forest before coming out onto the lake and the surrounding peaks (Soum and Pic de Léviste, Soum Arrouy, Soum de Lascours).