D3 : GAVARNIE/ CAUTERETS-PONT D'ESPAGNE

A World Heritage site

Firstly the village, lively and charming and then at the end of the street it appears... It is now that you will be spellbound and words inadequate. The master wordsmith Victor Hugo described it as "a coliseum of nature". With an easy 30 minute walk along the river bank and across the Courade plateau you will reach the orientation point for the Cirque. You can do this on foot, horseback or mule. Go on a bit further and you will reach the Hostellerie de Cirque. From here you can really appreciate the sheer size of the cliffs and admire the longest waterfall in France. But what about the other Cirques?

www.gavarnie.com

The Gavarnie cemetery

The little cemetery at Gavarnie, next to the church, houses the graves of many great Pyrenean explorers. Amongst then are Laurent and Hippolyte Passet, two brothers, and also their sons Henri and above all Célestin. He is the great hero of Pyrenean exploration and mountaineering. For over 30 years he made many first ascents culminating in his great triumph on the 7th August 1889 when he climbed the redoubtable Couloir de Gaube, a climb which was then not repeated for 44 years. He had to cut 1300 steps into the ice to do it.

Gavarnie - next to the church.

The Cirque de Troumouse

Leave gavarnie on the D921 towards Gedre, just before the village turn right on to the D922 Direction Cirque de Troumouse and the Heas valley. The road leads directly into the Cirque de Troumouse. Once up and inside the Cirque you will not believe your eyes! Troumouse is gigantic, a Goliath, even bigger than Gavarnie. The famous 18th century explorer Ramond de Carbonnières estimated it could hold 10 million people! Another curiosity is the rollong grasslands within the Cirque which are a favourite playground for marmots. So after the famous Gavarnie and the gigantic Troumouse it is time to visit the third Cirque, the solitary Estaubé. 

On leaving Gavarnie follow the D921 towards Gedre. Just before the village turn right onto the D922 towards Cirque de Troumouse.

The Cirque d’Estaubé

As you descend from Troumouse and after passing through Héas, turn left towards the Lac des Gloriettes. There is parking at the lake. It is a superb easy 2 hour walk to reach the Cirque, there is also a waymarked circuit around the lake, allow 1h30. The area is famous for its superb variety of wild flowers.

The Gloriettes lake at the bottom of the valley leading to the Cirque is accessible by car.

Descend from Touloues, pass Héas, then turn left towards the Lac des Gloriettes. 

Evening and night in Cauterets

The Hautes-Pyrenees holiday shop proposes you a small selection of very favorite accommodations in Cauterets and surroundings. For more choices, contact directly the Shop to 05 62 56 70 00.

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Worth the detour

• The Panorama from the Pic de Tentes

From the parking at the Pic de Tentes a trail leads up to the Pic de Tentes, a round grassy summit, allow 30 minutes. The view over the surrounding summits is breathtaking, many of whom are over 3000m - the Marbora, the Taillon, the Vignemale, with a great view to the Breche de Roland too. One can even see the Pic du Midi in the distance.

• The footpath between the Col de Tentes and the Port de Boucharou

A very easy walk, on the level, which takes you into Spain! Fabulous views over the 3000m peaks of the Cirque de Gavarnie. The path is just 1.5k long and has a sign board at the start explaining the geology, history and local legends. • From Gavarnie village take the road to the ski resort, continue to the parking at the Col de Tentes (9k).

• The Breche de Roland

It is a 2 hour walk over difficult terrain from the Port de Boucharou to reach the Sarradets refuge, proper mountain equipment is essential, then less than an hour to reach the Breche and fabulous views into the Spanish Ordesa.

• Notre Dame des Neiges

A short walk of 20 mins to reach the statue of Notre Dame de Neiges, from where there is a great view over Gavarnie village and the Cirque. There is also a great view along the Ossoue valley towards the Vignemale and its glacier. • Take the road to towards the ski resort, pull into the parking at the Grange de Holle refuge after 1.5k.

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