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Hello gbarrabe, you don’t need any equipment other than walking shoes and poles for this hike! (And a bivouac, etc., of course...)
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Le Mont Perdu
À la découverte du massif du Mont Perdu, ce trek de deux jours au départ du Col des Tentes passe par la Brèche de Roland, traverse le pied du Casque, de la Tour, du Cylindre et du Pic de Marboré pour monter au Mont Perdu. Après un bivouac, ou une nuit au refuge de Goriz, on explore les vires qui surplombent le Canyon d'Ordesa : vire Luenga, vire des Fleurs, vire Tardiador et vire Escuzana en passant par le Mondarruego (2845 m). Ambiance haute montagne garantie le premier jour ; la longue deuxième journée sera plus aérienne sur les étroits sentiers au milieu des faces verticales du Canyon d'Ordesa. Le terrain est presque toujours minéral, avec très peu de points d'eau. Quelques résurgences et sources discrètes se cachent par ci par là. Le pierrier final du Mont Perdu fait monter le cardio. Attention à la Forqueta de Gabietou - qui ne semble pas poser de problème dans l'autre sens ; nous avons eu du mal à trouver comment la franchir sur sa face Sud, avec passage un peu exposé.
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Activity: Walking -
Distance: 23.12 mi -
Average duration: 2 days -
Difficulty: Very difficult -
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Back to start: Yes -
Ascent: + 9,262 ft -
Descent: - 9,308 ft -
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Highest point: 10,965 ft -
Lowest point: 7,198 ft
Stages of the route
This route needs several days, find the details below:
This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:
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gbarrabe
Hello,
I’m rather desperately looking for a two-day hike in the area. Like everyone else, I’m after panoramic views, lakes… But above all, we don’t have any ropes or harnesses. Is this circular route feasible without that sort of kit?
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User 22716851
A really lovely hike! We did it as a bivouac trip. On the first day, it took us 12 hours (including breaks).
On the second day, we took the Brèche trail from the Góriz mountain hut and didn’t do the ledges (too long when you then have a 3½-hour drive ahead of you). The route is technical and at times challenging — at least the one we took to reach La Brèche, as there are cairns dotted about everywhere and it’s not always easy to find the right path. We set off at 9.00 am and arrived at the Col des Tentes at 4.00 pm.
One important point to note: the final ascent of Mont Perdu (up and down) takes about 2 hours, provided you stay at the summit for a while to admire the view, of course. From the foot of Mont Perdu, the descent to the Góriz refuge takes just over 2 hours and isn’t necessarily easy, especially when you’re tired.
Another point: the section along the ledges between points 5 and 6 (Day 1) is sometimes exposed and airy. It is also not always easy to find your way.
To conclude, as stated in the guide, the hike is very difficult, although it does not involve any insurmountable technical sections. It nevertheless requires high-mountain experience and a very good level of fitness.
Thanks to the author for this guide!
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Other walks in the area
Col de Tentes - Goritz Refuge
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+4,829 ft
-4,265 ft
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First day of the trek to Mont Perdu. Departure from Col de Tentes, passage through Brèche de Roland, at the foot of Pic du Marboré, and ascent of Mont Perdu. The first day is the most technical. You quickly reach the high mountain ranges of the Gavarnie massif.
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Departure from Gavarnie (Hautes-Pyrénées)
This is an easy, short hike starting from the Col des Tentes in Gavarnie, offering views of Spain, the Plana de Sandaruelo, the peaks of the Spanish foothills, and the border ridge as far as Vignemale, climbing to the summit of a peak at almost 2,500 m, the Pic entre les Ports (the Port de Boucharo and the Port des Espécières). The return via the Col des Espécières and the lake of the same name offers views over the Vallée des Espécières and the ski resort.
Please note: Pic Entre les Ports has a bivouac area sheltered by low walls and may be a good option for those who want to set off early the next morning for Brèche de Roland, Taillon or the Spanish ledges, and who want to sleep there the night before, as camping outside, in tents or cars, is strictly prohibited (and often fined) at the Col de Tentes.
The seven “3,000-metre peaks” of the Cirque de Gavarnie via the three Pics de la Waterfall
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+5,951 ft
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There’s no need to describe the Cirque de Gavarnie, this ‘colosseum’ of stone, snow and water cascading in countless waterfalls… But let’s describe here the hike across its peaks, all those legendary summits over 3,000 metres high overlooking the cirque on the French side and the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park on the Spanish side. It is a demanding route, at times somewhat technical and quite long (though it can be shortened by skipping a few peaks or by spending the night before or the night of the return journey at the Refuge des Sarradets). This hike can, however, be completed in a single day, which makes it all the more exceptional!
The four “3,000-metre peaks” of West Gavarnie via the Crête des Gabiétous and Taillon
9.02 mi
+3,986 ft
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The ridge bordering the Cirque de Gavarnie and its immediate surroundings feature several legendary ‘3,000-metre’ peaks. This route to the west of the Cirque allows you to tackle four of them in a single day whilst following a stunning ridge! The ascent to the Taillon via the south-western ridge of the Gabiétous – a climb requiring no equipment other than your hands – is fun, exposed but without any major difficulty. It remains at a PD (slightly difficult) level, making it accessible to many experienced mountaineers. The entire hike takes place in the high mountains in a marvellous setting, on both the French and Spanish sides, and is sure to leave you with memories to last a lifetime!
Please note, August 2026: read the important information in the ‘Practical Information’ section!
Taillon and Breche de Roland from the Col des Tentes
8.62 mi
+3,442 ft
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7h 00
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Departure from Gavarnie (Hautes-Pyrénées)
Landscapes “rich in nature” on this hike in the area of Gavarnie, accompany your steps towards the peak of Taillon, through the legendary Roland breach. Taillon, a summit that at the top of its 3144 m, offers a stunning panorama and striking views as far as the eye can see.
Le Casque du Marboré via the normal route
8.37 mi
+3,340 ft
-3,323 ft
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Difficult
Departure from Gavarnie (Hautes-Pyrénées)
Want to climb one of the legendary "3000" peaks of the Cirque de Gavarnie with breathtaking views? The Casque du Marboré could be your next goal! The entire route offers magnificent views of the surrounding mountains: Vignemale, Néouvielle, Mont Perdu, Canyon d'Ordesa. However, it is important to bear in mind that part of this hike takes place in a high mountain environment, with sometimes unstable scree and passages where you will need to use your hands.
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