The Raillère waterfall trail to the Pont d'Espagne hotel

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.

Details

52347811
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.48 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 533 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 528 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,491 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,036 m

Photos

Description of the walk

From Cauterets, go to the Raillère car park on the Route du Pont d'Espagne. As parking is limited to 3 hours, it is better to park in the hairpin bend below the Raillère.

(S/E) Cross the road and take the path that leads to the Raillière car park. At the end of the buildings and just before the bridge, climb up to the right to join theGR®10, on the left bank of the Gave de Cauterets. You will soon enter the National Park: follow the instructions and do not leave the marked path. You will soon arrive at the Cascade d'Escane Gat waterfall.

(1) The path continues, winding pleasantly through the forest to reach the Ceriset waterfall. Continue a little further and cross the bridge to see the waterfall above.

(2) Turn back and take theGR®10on the left. Continue along this path until you reach the Pouey Bacou waterfall.

(3) Continue a little further along this bucolic path to reach the Pas de l'Ours waterfall.

(4) Continue on to Pont de Boussès.

(5) Continue along the mountain stream to reach the waterfall of the same name.

(6) The trail then passes above the car parks on the other side of the torrent to arrive at the Hôtellerie du Pont d'Espagne.

(7) After exploring the site with its steps, footbridges and waterfalls, and taking a break to rest and quench your thirst, return via the same route to the car park at La Raillère (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,036 m - Car park
  2. 1 : km 1.33 - alt. 1,207 m - Escane Gat Waterfall
  3. 2 : km 2.04 - alt. 1,258 m - Cascade du Ceriset
  4. 3 : km 2.52 - alt. 1,328 m - Pouey Bacou Waterfall
  5. 4 : km 2.83 - alt. 1,350 m - Cascade et Pont du Pas de l'Ours
  6. 5 : km 3.18 - alt. 1,370 m - Pont de Boussès
  7. 6 : km 3.88 - alt. 1,443 m - Cascade de Boussès
  8. 7 : km 4.73 - alt. 1,490 m - Hotel
  9. S/E : km 9.48 - alt. 1,036 m - Car park

Notes

Refreshments are available at the Pont d'Espagne hotel.

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

Worth a visit

You can reach the Gaube chairlift in 5 minutes. This will take you 230 m higher in a few minutes, to the start of a practically flat path that leads to Lac de Gaube in 20 minutes.

 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.

Reviews and comments

5 / 5
Based on 14 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
User 3935073

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This hike runs alongside the river with its waterfalls, making for a very pleasant experience. Most of the path is under trees, so it's a bit cool at the moment... but surely very nice in summer. Despite the time of year (early October), there weren't many people in the morning (we set off around 9am), but we did meet quite a few people on the way back down.

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User 24719195

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An absolutely magnificent hike, but clearly more difficult than we thought (not being experienced hikers): it climbs continuously, with no flat sections, on a very steep trail (you have to lift your legs all the time). So it took us much longer than advertised. But what a pleasure it was to walk in such beautiful surroundings and, ultimately, what a sense of satisfaction at the end. Good to know: at certain times of the year, there is a shuttle bus that connects Pont d'Espagne to Cauteret. This meant that the most tired among us were able to avoid the descent!

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User 22833536

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A path that climbs steeply through the trees alongside waterfalls, perfect in hot weather.
Be careful, as the path can be slippery when there is a storm.
A very beautiful route to the Pont d'Espagne.

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User 25728131

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It was the first time I had done this hike
I found the hike very enjoyable
The sun was shining, the magnificent waterfalls were AMAZING, and the view from the Pont d'Espagne was splendid
I'll be back next year
👍

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User 10416061

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

a beautiful walk through the woods with magnificent waterfalls along the way!

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Laplante cedric
Laplante cedric

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike without too much difficulty. I recommend it 👍

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NicolasLIE
NicolasLIE

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike

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leracou66
leracou66

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very pretty scenery and waterfalls. Allow two hours for a one-way trip, four hours for a return trip. However, do not attempt this walk if you have difficulty walking.

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d.palvadeau
d.palvadeau

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A classic in Cauterets, so pleasant even though it is very popular with hikers of all ages.
You climb through the shelter of the woods on a path with numerous rocks, large and small, with a constant view of the waterfalls cascading down.

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Al49
Al49
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

There are many people on this must-see route in Cauterets, which offers views of a series of beautiful waterfalls leading up to the famous Pont d'Espagne bridge. The free car park at La Raillière, located on a bend in the road, is constantly occupied by motorhomes, making it impossible to park there!

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Valoche1975
Valoche1975

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent hike

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taboulechat
taboulechat

Hello Urban Philippe
The car park at La Raillière is indeed limited to three hours,
So I have changed the starting point of the hike and moved it to the previous bend.

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JP Nibaudeau
JP Nibaudeau

correction: the hike took place on 11 June; the Raillère car park was practically empty on that date.

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urban philippe
urban philippe

hike done on 18/07/24, superb, but be aware that parking in the car park at the start in front of the Ralliere shops is limited to 3 hours (€35 fine if exceeded)

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JP Nibaudeau
JP Nibaudeau

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful round trip hike; it is impossible to get lost (GR 10).
Medium difficulty.
You can come back down by road (several people in my group did this), especially in June, when Pont d'Espagne is still relatively quiet.

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