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Cauterets - Pont d'Espagne - (Aratille Lake) - Wallon Marcadau hut
Welcome in Argeles-Gazost (optional pick-up in Lourdes, Tarbes, Pau, Toulouse, or other locations).
Transfer to Puntas (1,460m) near Pont d’Espagne. Drop-off available, between Cascade du Pas de l’Ours and Île Sarah Bernhardt, allowing for an ascent via the Sentier des Cascades to Pont d’Espagne, the official starting point of today’s hike.
Pont d’Espagne is a small Roman bridge spanning a narrow gorge where the tumultuous Gaube and Marcadau rivers merge, surrounded by pine and fir trees. In early summer, as the snow melts, the roaring waters create a deafening spectacle. Once past this iconic landmark, Clot plateau offers a glimpse of the journey ahead: clearings dotted with groves where the river alternates between lazily meandering through alpine meadows and rushing in sparkling white cascades. Keep an eye out— izards might be nearby!
The ascent continues, becoming even more scenic, with towering border peaks as a backdrop. You will successively cross Plateau de Cayan and Pont d’Estalounque. Although the route includes some steep sections, the gentle incline of the trail makes for a mostly effortless walk. As you approach the refuge (1,865m), the landscape opens up to breathtaking panoramas! It is hard to imagine a more spectacular setting for a mountain hut: alpine meadows, a rushing stream, groves and pine forests nearby, and a postcard-perfect south-facing view. Settle in for an unforgettable evening and night in this idyllic spot.
For the most active hikers, an early start will allow an optional out-and-back to Aratille lake (2,250m) or even Aratille pass (2,528m) before reaching the refuge. Alternatively, you may choose—upon registration—to spend two consecutive nights at the refuge for deeper exploration.
Activity Time
2h15 minimum, with optional variants adding +1 to +4 hours of hiking.
Elevation
+450m/-20m minimum, with optional variants adding +100 to +700m/-100 to -700m.
Transfer Duration
40 min approx.
Accomodation
In a dormitory (4 or 8 beds, depending on availability) in a staffed refuge, fully renovated in 2022.
Luggage Transfer
No
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Wallon Marcadau Refuge - Nère, Pourtet, and Embarrat Lakes - Pont d'Espagne - Cauterets
Warm-up by the Marcadau Chapel and a pleasant climb through the pine forests of mountain pines, Sylvan Pines, and Bouget Pines (a hybrid of the first two), where the melodious song of the Crossbills fills the air.
The trees gradually give way to meadows, becoming rarer as you ascend. A panoramic view opens up, showcasing the high peaks, all the way to the Vignemale. Granite rocks progressively dominate the landscape, and Nère lake is the first lake of the day. A stop is necessary to admire the panorama, where the peaks and grey-to-orange granite spires rise above the valleys. Pourtet lake (2422m) marks the high point of the stage, surrounded by the Soum de Bassia and the Pic Arrouy needle. Descend past the Embarrat lakes (3 to 4 in total) before reaching the forest and the Cayan plateau. From there, head back to Pont d'Espagne.
Transfer (public or private shuttle depending on dates) to Cauterets, where you’ll meet a maker of berlingots, a typical sweet treat from Cauterets.
Optional: Massage and spa at the Bains du Rocher.
Activity Time
4 à 5h. of walking
Elevation
+560m./-960 m.
Transfer Duration
15 min approx.
Accomodation
In a charming and refined *** hotel with character.
Luggage Transfer
Yes
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Cauterets - Pont d'Espagne - Gaube Lake - Oulettes hut - (Petit Vignemale) - Baysselance hut
Private shuttle to Puntas (1460m). The positive elevation gain of the day exceeds 1000 meters, but there is practically no descent. If you wish to save some effort and 300 meters of elevation, you can take the Gaube Lake chairlift (to be paid directly on-site).
However, it would be a shame not to enjoy the climb to Gaube Lake via its forest path and the sublime detour we have planned for you... In any case, arriving at Gaube Lake with its emerald waters, surrounded by meadows, scree, and dark forests, with the majestic Vignemale towering in the background, is magical no matter the route you take.
You will then follow the lake towards the Pinet hut. The trail will rise towards the Esplumouse waterfall and continue to draw your gaze towards the absolutely magnificent North Face of the Vignemale: 800 meters of vertical wall, cut by a deep couloir – the Gaube couloir – where significant moments in the history of Pyreneism and mountaineering took place... Facing this landscape in its full grandeur, you’ll better understand why Russel fell so deeply in love with it!
Une pause près du refuge des Oulettes permet de contempler ce fascinant spectacle naturel, avant d'entamer la montée à la Hourquette d'Ossoue (2734m.) et la courte descente au refuge de Baysselance (2651m.).
De la Hourquette d'Ossoue, possibilité d'effectuer l'ascension du Petit Vignemale (3032m.) en aller-retour (possible également le lendemain matin en aller-retour depuis le refuge).
A pause near the Oulettes refuge allows you to contemplate this fascinating natural spectacle before beginning the climb to Hourquette d'Ossoue (2734m) and the short descent to the Baysselance refuge (2651m).
From Hourquette d'Ossoue, you have the option to ascend the Petit Vignemale (3032m) in a round trip (also possible the following morning as a round trip from the refuge).
Activity Time
5 to 6h of walking
Elevation
+975 or 1275m / -85m. (for the Petit Vignemale variant, add +300m / -300m.)
Transfer Duration
15 min approx.
Accomodation
Dormitories in a staffed high-mountain refuge.
Luggage Transfer
No
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Baysselance Refuge - (Grand Vignemale) - Ossoue Valley - Gavarnie - Hotel du Cirque et de la cascade"
A special day, divided into two parts:
First, the descent from the Baysselance Refuge, passing beneath the Ossoue Glacier. You'll encounter an unusual sight in front of the Bellevue Caves, among the few caves that Count Henry Russel—known as the "madman of Vignemale"—had dug to stay in year-round! The descent continues to the bottom of the Ossoue glacial valley, where you'll find flowering meadows.
Transfer from the valley floor to Gavarnie village (1370m).
This marks the second part of the day, during which you’ll have 2 options (depending on the weather and preference) to reach the comfortable hotel awaiting you (at 1570m altitude) at the bottom of the Gavarnie Cirque, at the foot of the Grand Cascade, in the heart of the National Park:
- You can walk directly to the hotel in about an hour (or why not on horseback, if you decide to rent a mount!).
- Alternatively, you can first ascend to the aptly named Bellevue Plateau (1708m) and the Planette, offering a magnificent view of the Taillon cliffs and a panoramic view of the Cirque's entrance below.
From the hotel, feel free to take a round trip (or perhaps the next morning?) to the foot of the Grand Cascade (1700m); a guaranteed spectacular sight!
Optional: On this day, you can also attempt the ascent of the Grand Vignemale (3298m) via the Ossoue Glacier, accompanied by a high-mountain guide (please contact us before signing up). This will be a very strenuous day, with an additional +800m / -800m and +4 hours of hiking compared to the base itinerary.
Activity Time
Minimum 3 hours of walking, 4 to 5 hours for the variants.
Elevation
-1000m / +200m. (for the variants, add +300 to +600m / -300 to -600m.)
Transfer Duration
15 min approx.
Accomodation
**** hotel, remarkably situated in the heart of nature, at the center of the Gavarnie Cirque and the National Park.
Luggage Transfer
Yes
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Hotel du Cirque et de la Cascade - Espugues cliff - Espuguettes hut - (Piméné peak) - Gavarnie - Gedre
We offer an early departure to make the most of the beautiful morning light that illuminates the snowfields and the cliffs of the cirque. You will first walk through the woods on the Espugues trail and its cornice (a short section of a ledge carved into the cliff, requiring some attention but posing no particular difficulty). From time to time, you’ll need to turn around to admire the views of the Cirque.
Then, out in the open in the summer pastures, you’ll ascend to the Espuguettes hut (2020m.) where you’ll enjoy a stunning view of the Breche de Roland and the nearby cliffs of the Astazous, split by the legendary Swan Couloir.
Some will choose to relax around the refuge, while others may prefer the challenge of climbing Pimene (2801m.), which is undoubtedly the most magnificent viewpoint overlooking the entire Gavarnie Cirque, as well as the Vignemale, the north face of Mont Perdu, and the cirques of Estaubé and Troumouse...
The descent will take you back to the village of Gavarnie, followed by a short transfer to the hotel.
Activity Time
3h30 or 6h30
Elevation
+430 or +1230m./-670 or - 1450m.
Transfer Duration
15 min approx.
Luggage Transfer
Yes
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Gedre - Heas - Troumouse Cirque - Heas - Hotel...
Transfer to the Chapelle d'Heas (1520m.), nestled high in the mountains! This is the starting and finishing point of this magnificent loop, which will allow you to discover the Troumouse Cirque: a natural arena of colossal dimensions, with its ridges rising above 3000 meters in altitude.
The almost perfect circular shape and the several-kilometer circumference of this natural monument are truly impressive. Very different from Gavarnie, this cirque remains equally worth exploring.
After a good climb, you'll walk across welcoming meadows that form the bottom of the arena, contrasting with the scree and austere cliffs that surround them. You’ll pass by Aires lake and the Virgin of Troumouse (2121m.), situated in the heart of the Cirque.
Return to Héas, followed by a transfer to the hotel in a charming mountain village, where a delicious meal will provide a fitting end to this magnificent adventure!
Activity Time
4h of walking.
Elevation
+600m. / -600m.
Transfer Duration
50 min approx.
Accomodation
Charming **** hotel, in a village equally as charming, with a restaurant serving delicious dishes!
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End of the stay.
After breakfast, transfer back to Argeles-Gazost (or another location depending on the chosen option).
Transfer Duration
25 min approx.
