Refine your search for walks in Vallée du Marcadau
Vallée du Marcadau walks
Gaube lake and Oulettes de Gaube refuge
Visorando Member
9.68 mi
+2,329 ft
-2,326 ft
6h 30
Moderate
Departure from Cauterets (Hautes-Pyrénées)
Departing from Le Pont d'Espagne, this moderately demanding hike will take you into the Pyrenees National Park to discover Lac de Gaube and the Oulettes de Gaube refuge, from where you can admire the Vignemale, the highest peak in the Pyrenees at 3298m. If you're lucky, you might even spot some marmots.
Lac de Gaube via Pont d'Espagne
3.41 mi
+889 ft
-889 ft
2h 20
Moderate
Departure from Cauterets (Hautes-Pyrénées)
This pretty mid-mountain lake (1,731 m) on the GR®10 is easy to access and overlooked by peaks over 2,500 m high. It makes for a pleasant hike of a few hours. It is also accessible in winter, under the snow, on foot or with snowshoes. The long walk through the magnificent forest along the Gave de Gaube, on the side of the Gaube coast, makes the discovery of the mountains even more beautiful when you arrive at the first Huats lake with the north face of the Vignemale as a backdrop.
Towards the lakes of Embarrat, Pourtet and Nère
12.19 mi
+3,274 ft
-3,241 ft
8h 25
Difficult
Departure from Cauterets (Hautes-Pyrénées)
This hike, starting from Pont d'Espagne, will take you to the heart of the Pyrenees National Park. You will follow the Marcadau valley to reach the lakes of Embarrat, Pourtet and Nère at an altitude of over 2,400 metres.
The Gaube, Aratille and Marcadau valleys
14.84 mi
+4,029 ft
-4,029 ft
10h 20
Difficult
Departure from Cauterets (Hautes-Pyrénées)
A 24 km loop to discover between lakes, mountain streams, peaks, mountain pines and wildlife.
In the Marcadau valley, from Pont d'Espagne to the Wallon refuge
9.86 mi
+1,365 ft
-1,342 ft
5h 45
Moderate
Departure from Cauterets (Hautes-Pyrénées)
This hike, which generally follows the valley floor, will take you on a gentle slope to the Wallon-Marcadau refuge. You will alternate between mountain pine forests, peat bogs and meadows until you reach the refuge, where the landscape becomes more rocky. A beautiful variety of landscapes and fairly easy access make this a very enjoyable hike starting from Pont d'Espagne.
The Raillère waterfall trail to the Pont d'Espagne hotel
5.89 mi
+1,749 ft
-1,732 ft
4h 15
Moderate
Departure from Cauterets (Hautes-Pyrénées)
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.
From Pont d'Espagne to the Marcadau or Wallon refuge on snowshoes
9.62 mi
+1,440 ft
-1,417 ft
6 hrs
Moderate
Departure from Cauterets (Hautes-Pyrénées)
A very pretty, fairly long and enjoyable hike. If you set off early and it has snowed, you can look forward to a very pleasant climb to the refuge.
3 days in the Central Pyrenees Park from Cauterets
30.88 mi
+10,197 ft
-10,226 ft
3 days
Difficult
Departure from Cauterets (Hautes-Pyrénées)
Explore the Pyrenees National Park (central section) with a trip to Spain, lakes and mountain passes at an altitude of 2,600 metres.
With an average elevation gain of ± 1,230 m and a distance of 17 km per day, this trip is, all in all, quite strenuous.
Please take into account the cumulative elevation gain and the distance to be covered.
The trip takes place between 1000 m and 2655 m altitude.
The start of this route is accessible by public transport (coaches and shuttle bus from Cauterets in summer).
From the Refuge Wallon to Cauterets via the Col d'Arratille and the Col des Mulets
13.24 mi
+2,789 ft
-5,502 ft
8h 30
Difficult
Departure from Cauterets (Hautes-Pyrénées)
This circular is best done from mid-June until the first cold spells.
This isthe third and fairly longday of a three-day route in the Central Pyrenees National Park.
In case of bad weather or unforeseen circumstances, it is possible to shorten the route by descending directly from the (1) to the (8).
Baysselance Refuge via Oulettes de Gaube and Hourquette d'Ossoue
13.38 mi
+4,406 ft
-4,393 ft
12 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Cauterets (Hautes-Pyrénées)
A long hike through the Gaube Valley, the Oulettes and the Hourquette d’Ossoue, on the slopes of the Vignemale, with an overnight stay at the Baysselance Refuge.
The proposed route is a winter snowshoe trek; it follows theGR®10trail almost everywhere, deviating from it only on the ascent to the Hourquette, coming within touching distance of the Petit Vignemale (or Séracs) glacier.
The final ascent is gruelling, the scenery is breathtaking, and these are legendary sites from the golden age of Pyrenean mountaineering!
From the Ilhéou Refuge to the Wallon Refuge via the Opale Lakes
8.41 mi
+3,114 ft
-3,507 ft
6h 35
Difficult
Departure from Estaing (Hautes-Pyrénées) (Hautes-Pyrénées)
Second day of a three-day route in the Central Pyrenees National Park.The day will begin with a fairly steep climb, but will allow you to see a multitude of high-altitude lakes before arriving at the Wallon refuge.If there is not enough time, the visit to the Opale lakes can be omitted.
Pont d'Espagne - Bayssellance Refuge
7.06 mi
+4,147 ft
-279 ft
6h 50
Difficult
Departure from Cauterets (Hautes-Pyrénées)
Approach walk starting from Pont d'Espagne, passing by the magnificent Lac de Gaube, the Oulettes de Gaube and the refuge of the same name. The stage continues with a steeper climb to the Lacs d'Arraillé, then the Hourquette d'Ossoue pass before descending to the Refuge de Bayssellance.
Tuc Arrouy via the waterfalls, the lake and the Ilhéou refuge.
9.00 mi
+3,471 ft
-3,471 ft
7h 10
Difficult
Departure from Cauterets (Hautes-Pyrénées)
Lac d'Ilhéou, nestled in the hollow of a majestic cirque, reveals emerald blue-green waters that invite contemplation. Tuc Arrouy offers a bird's eye view of the lake and a myriad of Pyrenean peaks.These are the ingredients for a hike rich in magnificent landscapes and emotions.