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Refuge des Espuguettes walks
Gavarnie waterfall with return via the Cirque du Pailla
Visorando Member
7.27 mi
+2,156 ft
-2,142 ft
5h 15
Moderate
Departure from Gavarnie (Hautes-Pyrénées)
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.
Refuge des Espuguettes, Plateau des Cardous and Plateau d'Alans
4.68 mi
+2,362 ft
-2,352 ft
4h 10
Moderate
Departure from Gavarnie (Hautes-Pyrénées)
Starting from Gavarnie, enjoy a change of scenery by escaping to the wild plateaus at the foot of the Grand and Petit Piméné (2,801m and 2,667m).
The Refuge des Espuguettes is a beautiful stop along the way. If you push on a little further to the Plateau des Cardous, you can admire the entire border range, the peaks of the Cirque, just for you, from the Tour du Marboré (3009m) to the Mailh Arrouy (2965m), passing by the majestic Vignemale (3,298 m).
A change of scenery and tranquillity guaranteed!
Route of the three cirques: Gavarnie, Estaubé and Troumouse
29.68 mi
+9,777 ft
-9,186 ft
4 days
Moderate
Departure from Gavarnie (Hautes-Pyrénées)
A four-day route of the three cirques of Gavarnie, Estaubé and Troumouse, including the ascent of the Piméné. A self-guided route with nights spent in bivouacs.
The Pimené, an exceptional viewpoint over the Cirque de Gavarnie
10.48 mi
+5,174 ft
-5,148 ft
7 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Gavarnie (Hautes-Pyrénées)
This beautiful day’s hike in the high mountains offers breathtaking views of the Cirque de Gavarnie, with its peaks over 3,000 metres towering above it, the Mont-Perdu massif, the Cirque d’Estaubé, as well as a 360° panorama of the entire Pyrenees mountain range, the border, the Spanish peaks and the whole of the French Piedmont region of the Hautes-Pyrénées.
On the return leg, this circular walk follows the ridge leading up to the Hourquette d’Alans, offering a fun and airy, yet un exposed, section.
Please read the recommendations regarding the (5) on both the outward and return journeys.
Refuge des Espugettes – Cirque d’Estaubé.
7.61 mi
+3,235 ft
-3,740 ft
6h 20
Difficult
Departure from Gavarnie (Hautes-Pyrénées)
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.
Gavarnie – Refuge des Espuguettes
7.36 mi
+3,901 ft
-1,759 ft
6h 45
Difficult
Departure from Gavarnie (Hautes-Pyrénées)
Start from Gavarnie and climb towards the Plateau de Bellevue, then descend to the Grande Waterfall. From the Hôtellerie du Cirque, climb via the ledges to the Refuge des Espuguettes, with a campsite nearby.
Pic de Pimené in winter from Gavarnie
7.95 mi
+4,665 ft
-4,649 ft
8 hrs
Extremely difficult
Departure from Gavarnie (Hautes-Pyrénées)
Whilst the Pimené holds no secrets for any experienced hiker in summer, it is less well-known in winter. It is reserved for experienced walkers, undeterred either by the route’s significant elevation gain, or by the need to cross expanses of pristine snow – which are not always easy to navigate – to reach its base, or by its arduous slopes, and even less so by its final ridge, which is short but tricky. See Practical Information.
But from up there, the winter spectacle makes you forget the summer view: the Cirque de Gavarnie, Mont-Perdu, the Cirque d’Estaubé and much more besides, all cloaked in white!
Circular loop of 3 days between Gavarnie, Pimené and Tuquerouye
19.68 mi
+8,763 ft
-8,783 ft
3 days
Very difficult
Departure from Gavarnie (Hautes-Pyrénées)
This route is a 3-day circular route with 2 nights in mountain huts.
Day 1: Explore the Cirque de Gavarnie and its remarkable Grande Waterfall. Hike along the little-used ledges.
Overnight stay at the Refuge des Espuguettes for thisfirst day to get you up to speed!
Day 2: The big day: ascent of the Pimené (2,801 m). Magnificent descending ridge. Ascent of the exceptional Tuquerouye Couloir. Overnight stay at the mountain hut.
Day 3: Return from Tuquerouye to Gavarnie via the Hourquette d’Alans.