Refuge des Espugettes – Cirque d’Estaubé.

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Route from the Espuguettes refuge to the Cirque d’Estaubé, including the ascent of the Petit and Grand Piméné (2,801 m) via the Hourquette d’Alans. Bivouac in the cirque, entirely self-sufficient.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Route of the three cirques: Gavarnie, Estaubé and Troumouse

Details

n°68268176
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–
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.61 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 3,235 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 3,740 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 9,108 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 5,932 ft
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Description of the walk

(S) Head towards the Col du Piméné and the Hourquette d’Alans via the Plateau des Cardous.

(1) Pass the path leading to the Cabane d’Alans on your left and turn right. Cross the Plateau des Cardous and continue to a crossroads.

(2) Turn left towards the Col du Piméné and head for it.

(3) Take the path on the left, follow the ridge and reach the Petit Pimené (2,667 m).

(4) Carry on straight ahead, following the ridge of the southern shoulder of the Grand Piméné, until you reach the summit (2,801 m).

(5) Turn back. When you are about a hundred metres from the Petit Piméné, veer left to follow a different route to the one taken on the ascent, following the eastern slope of the ridge. Return to the Col du Piméné.

(3) Return to the crossroads you passed on the way up.

(2) Turn left towards the Hourquette d’Alans.

(6) Once you reach the pass, continue along the path to enter the Cirque d’Estaubé.

(7) Leave the path opposite leading to the Brèche de Tuquerouye and head left. You’ll reach a viewpoint overlooking the cirque.

(8) Continue along the path, which winds through a series of tight hairpin bends.

(9) Leave the path and head right towards the Gave d’Estaubé. Navigate this off-trail section as best you can, using a small tributary to the Gave as a guide. Once at the bottom, cross the stream and rejoin the well-marked path coming from Lac des Gloriettes.

(10) Head off to the right towards the cirque and make your way to the Waterfall du Pla d’Ailhet. Then find a place to camp (E).

Waypoints

  1. S : mi 0 - alt. 6,621 ft - Refuge des Espuguettes
  2. 1 : mi 0.24 - alt. 6,693 ft - Junction, turn right
  3. 2 : mi 1.18 - alt. 7,425 ft - Crossroads
  4. 3 : mi 2.09 - alt. 8,297 ft - Col de Pimené (2530m)
  5. 4 : mi 2.41 - alt. 8,714 ft - Petit Piméné
  6. 5 : mi 2.78 - alt. 9,091 ft - Piméné
  7. 6 : mi 4.96 - alt. 7,910 ft - Hourquette d'Alans (2430m)
  8. 7 : mi 5.7 - alt. 7,156 ft - Path junction, turn left
  9. 8 : mi 6.05 - alt. 6,890 ft - View of the Cirque d’Estaubé
  10. 9 : mi 6.64 - alt. 6,480 ft - Shortcut to the right
  11. 10 : mi 6.93 - alt. 5,942 ft - Path junction, on the right
  12. E : mi 7.61 - alt. 6,115 ft - Cascade du Pla d'Ailhet

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

Other walks in the area

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(!) (September 2024). Following recent bad weather, the footbridge at point (6) has been swept away by the floodwaters. Fording the Gave de Pau is tricky and strongly advised against. (!) Updated 25/06/2025, Gavarnie Valleys Tourist Office. => The footbridge at (6) has been repaired and will reopen to the public from 25/06/2025.However, the footbridge located upstream of the Hôtellerie du Cirque (9) is still not in place, and fording the Gave de Pau is tricky depending on the current water level. The Tourist Office advises: ‘Please note, however, that the footbridge will be dismantled every late autumn and reassembled in late spring as it is situated in an avalanche path.’ A different approach to the Gavarnie Cirque. The plateau offers a panoramic view, allowing you to take it all in at a glance. A little later, you’ll wander through the cirque to fully appreciate its majesty. To quote Victor Hugo, the Colosseum of nature.

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