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Coming from Pau, head towards Arudy, Louvie-Juzon, Laruns, and in the Ossau Valley take the D934 towards the Col du Pourtalet, towards Spain, along the Gave d'Ossau.
Enter the hamlet of Eaux-Chaudes. Turn right onto the street running alongside the church, leading to Place Henri IV. Park in the car park next to a fountain.
(S/E) Continue along this same street, above the Gave.
At the last house on the left, turn left and take the steps leading to the D934.
Cross the D934 and take the road almost opposite, alongside the "Maison Labarthe" and another old house that is not marked.
Climb the Route de Minvielle to Place Minvielle.
(1) At the first bend, turn right above the Source Minvielle water catchment (on the left). The Route de Minvielle becomes the Chemin de Minvielle, which enters the forest.
This path is marked in red and yellow (Tour de la Vallée d'Ossau) and for mountain bikes (VTT 14).
Follow it until you reach the Gourzy forest track, which is accessible by car.
Along the track, numerous traces of forestry work testify to the ongoing activity in the area.
Follow the track for about 1 km until you reach a left-hand bend where there is a no-entry sign for vehicles.
(2) Take a small, well-marked but unmarked path (with numerous red marks on the trees) on the right-hand side, which starts at the hairpin bend.
A sign on a tree indicates the direction of the Grotte des Eaux-Chaudes.
From there, although several paths cross on the map, the route to follow is very clear, so there is no danger of getting lost.
The trail climbs gently through the Gourzy woods and, depending on the season, crosses several dry or well-fed streams. Sometimes the trail itself is transformed into a muddy stream.
On the right, below the trail, you will pass a square-shaped pidgeon hunting hut.
On the opposite slope of the Gave d'Ossau, on the plateau, you can see the small hamlet of Goust.
After leaving the track, you will reach a first cave at an altitude of 915 metres. This is an active exurgence known as the "Petite Grotte des Eaux-Chaudes" (Small Cave of Warm Waters).
You can enter the first few metres without any equipment. The next 60 metres or so are accessible with a helmet and headlamp, but you'll need to be comfortable crouching down with your bottom practically in the water...
(See explanations about this cave below in the section " During the hike"...).
(3) Continue along the path at the foot of the cliff.
At the end of the path is the Grotte des Eaux-Chaudes (or Grande Grotte des Eaux-Chaudes).
Options:
- cross the metal footbridge, which is still very solid,
- and enter the cave with a good headlamp and, if possible, a helmet.
(See explanations about this cave below in the section " During the hike"...)
(4) This accessible section is known as the "Grand Couloir" and is several hundred metres long.
The end of the "Grand couloir" is marked by high walkways that are still almost intact, blocking the canyon. This is the start of the section known as the "Grand Chaos", a disorderly pile of huge blocks of stone that have fallen from the ceiling, between which the river reappears - after several hundred metres underground (hypogean river) with an impressive roar. The ceiling is several dozen metres high! But from here on, it is the exclusive territory of speleologists. Do not venture further upstream without equipment and expertise!
Exit this underground river, whose cavity is the riverbed (which rises up into the bowels of the mountain).
Start your return journey by retracing your steps to the crossroads at the Source Minvielle water catchment.
(1) Take Rue des Écoles straight ahead to admire other old houses, particularly the rear of those facing the street, and return to the main road, the D934, between a superb mansion and the former grocery store and restaurant "Maison Loustaunau".
Turn right onto the D934 on the left-hand side facing the traffic to continue your tour of the hamlet, with other remarkable houses, some of which have been perfectly renovated. Stay carefully on the left-hand side of the street in case of summer crowds. Walk around the church to the north and west to return to the starting point (S/E).
Visorando member
Very difficult 
Easy 
Tourist office
Difficult 
