In this page, you will find informations and advices we can give, based on our experience
Pyrenees National Park
- Cauterets Valley -
What to do if you have little time : Spanish Bridge and Gaube Lake
The Pyrenees National Park is full of beautiful hikes, each one more beautiful than the next. The purpose of each of these hikes is often a lake, but the landscapes leading to it are often prettier than the lake itself. This mountain range consists of several steep valleys. We fell in love with the Aspe Valley, which we think is a little more "wild" than the Ossau, Cauterets and Luz Gavarnie Valleys.
Advice : before going on a hike, check the weather forecast because it can change quickly in the mountains. Bring warm clothing.
Cauterets Valley : Spanish Bridge
No hike
1 hour
7€ for parking in 2020
Cauterets Valley : Gaube Lake and Oulettes Refuge
1,2 miles one way mini
1000 feet of elevation gain
2 hours minimum
7€ for parking in 2020
The starting point is located at the parking lot of the Pont d'Espagne.
To reach the Gaube lake, the hike is 2,4 miles round trip with a difference in altitude of 1000 feet. The lake is very pretty with emerald colors... when it is sunny !
You can then continue to go to the Refuge des Oulettes at 3,7 miles one way and 1476 feet of difference in level. Count 2h00 of walk one way. The hike is very beautiful but quite steep. It passes by the beautiful Esplumousse waterfall. From the Oulettes Refuge, admire the glacier and the Pic du Vignemale.
Access : 4,3 miles from Cauterets, park on the parking lot of the Pont d'Espagne.
Cauterets Valley : Peak Viscos
3,7 miles one way
1870 feet of elevation gain
3 to 4 hours
Free
7,4 miles round trip hike quite easy but the approach of the Pic du Viscos coming from the Col de Riou is very exposed and we don't recommand it for people prone to vertigo. It is however possible to make this hike on a round trip by the same path through the Cabane de Conques.
The descent from the Peak to the Cabane de Conques is magnificent with its green meadows and blueberry trees.
Access : from the station of Luz Ardiden, parking lot of Bederet.
Cauterets Valley : Ilheou Lake
3,5 miles one way
2100 feet elevationof gain
3 to 4 hours
Free
Hike that leads to a very beautiful mountain lake, the lake of Ilheou or blue lake. The path, well traced, passes in front of a large waterfall then climbs in laces towards the black lake and finally the blue lake and its refuge. Ideal for a picnic.
Access : from Cauterets, take the direction of the Spanish Bridge. At the exit of Cauterets, take on the right the road of Cambasque until the station Le Lys at 7,5 miles.
Cauterets Valley : Estom Lake
4 miles one way
1510 feet of elevation gain
3 to 4 hours
Free
The hike starts from the restaurant La Fruitière (go there to eat a good garbure!). It is 8 miles round trip for 1510 feet of difference in altitude. There are some rough climbs at the end but the whole is rather easy. The lake is of an incredible transparency.
Access : from Cauterets, go to the parking lot of La Fruitière.
Cauterets Valley : Cayan Plateau
5,4 miles one way
656 feet of elevation gain
2 to 3 hours
Free
Very easy hike on a plateau surrounded by mountains and circled by rivers. Very pleasant.
Access : from the parking lot of the Spanish Bridge.
Cauterets Valley : Cerisey Fall
Cauterets Valley : Railliere Fall
Cauterets Valley : Zoo of Argelès Gazost
Copyright Magali and David BELLEC