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Saugue plateau - Gavarnie (hotel du cirque et de la cascade)
Arrival options at Argeles-Gazost or Lourdes (upon request, transfers can be arranged from Tarbes, Pau, Toulouse, or other locations). Transfer to the Saugue Plateau (Gedre village, 1630m). Your luggage will be transported to the hotel by our care.
Your hiking adventure begins with a breathtaking sight: the spectacular landscape of the Gavarnie Cirque from the Saugue viewpoint, where professional (and amateur!) photographers capture the natural amphitheater.
After the initial awe of the encounter, you'll discover an ancient and enchanting world — the pastoral mountain universe. Time has long stopped here, and the noises of modern industrial life don’t reach these protected heights.
The direction? Quite simple: due south! Which path? Even simpler: The GR! Which one? The GR10, of course! The famous one, that runs along the French Pyrenees, offering:
Natural backdrop: sleeping barns nestled in the hay meadows, paths leading through bouquets of mountain flowers, icy, lively streams, and clusters of trees offering welcome shade.
Animal environment: cows mowing the meadows, frenetic grasshoppers and crickets jumping under your lively steps, griffon vultures and royal kestrels soaring perfectly.
If needed : a small stop at the village of Gavarnie’s mountain shop to improve your equipment or to quench your thirst at a bar terrace.
Then, it's onward to the Cemetery of the Pyreneists! It hosts some of the most illustrious figures in Pyrenean history: Father Gaurier, the famous Gavarnie guides Henri and Celestin Passet, Georges Ledormeur, Jean Arlaud and many more. If the church is open, step inside to soak up the soothing atmosphere, and then a surprise awaits you! Open the small box attached to the wall facing the entrance... Relics from the old hospital on the Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle path will prompt a meditation on the impermanence of all things.
Finally, you'll follow a small path behind the cemetery. Between the hay meadows and the forest, you'll slowly approach the cirque, with a magical viewpoint above the Prade Plateau. You'll begin to feel the power and majesty of the place. After crossing what the old-timers called "Little Canada," you will reach the hotel, located at the foot of the stone colossus, in an unforgettable natural setting!
A tip from an expert: Even if you're tired from the journey or hike, try to resist the pull of the bed. Wait a little, calmly watch the sky. Soon, the first glints of the celestial dome will appear. These are the stars whispering in your ears.
Activity Time
3h30 to 4h of walking.
Elevation
+390 / -325m.
Transfer Duration
40 min approx.
Accomodation
4-star hotel in the heart of nature, nestled within the Gavarnie Cirque, for 3 consecutive nights.
Luggage Transfer
Yes
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Hotel - Bellevue Plateau - Hotel (in a loop)
Starting a mountain day with a gentle descent, what could be more wonderful!
To reach the "Petit Canada" and then head towards the plateau, your hosts will point out the entrance to the "secret trail." You'll enjoy the morning solitude as you walk among wild raspberries, forest strawberries, rowan trees, and hook-pine trees. You’ll cross the left bank of the Prade stream using the bridge that spans the roaring river in the gorge. You'll have about a kilometer on level ground to warm up your legs through the hook-pine woods and beech forest before gradually ascending on a winding trail. Finally, you'll reach the Bellevue plateau, just in time for your picnic. And what a timing! The viewpoint is extraordinary: Pimene (2801m), Pic rouge de Pailla (2780m), the Astazous (3071 and 3012m), Marbore (3250m) and Epaule (3073m) are the towering jewels of this unparalleled panorama! And lower down, the great waterfall sends its silent flow into the shimmering air.
In the afternoon, the descent trail will carry you cheerfully towards Gavarnie and the tempting sweet, icy, hoppy treats. You'll finish the loop via the same trail from the previous day.
Longer variant
At the entrance of the Bellevue plateau, follow the ancient Roman road climbing through the Pouey Aspe valley. You’ll have the chance to pass by the “soldiers’ cabin,” a solitary remnant from the Napoleonic wars. Reaching the Port de Boucharo, you'll inhale the Iberian air, filled with the scents of tapas, chorizo, and patxaran! You can stop there or continue: after the Tentes Pass road, either you'll ascend the 2322m summit bearing the same name or wander along the shores of the nearby hidden lake of Especieres.
Then, it'll be time to retrace your steps and return to your cozy nest.
Activity Time
3h30 to 4h of walking (for the long variant, add 2h45 to 3h30 depending on your preferences).
Elevation
+500 / -500m (for the long variant, add +500 to +600m / -500 to -600m).
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The time of poets... or lovers!
Such a place, having inspired so many poets, both famous and unknown, certainly deserves to be lingered upon. Today, we invite you to experience a day of pure disconnection, relaxation, and leisurely contemplation.
Sleep in to rest, or alternatively rise early to capture the first rays of sunlight kissing the peaks of the cirque just steps away, and then return to your cozy bed after breakfast!
You can also stroll along the riverbanks, breathe in the great waterfall or take a nap on the lush meadows of the Courade pasture.
Armed with binoculars, observe the birdlife or even the peculiar mammals clinging to the cliff faces of the cirque, equipped with ropes, carabiners, and backpacks!
If you’ve forgotten your novel or the latest crime thriller, your hosts will gladly offer you a selection of books.
Additionally, a sauna awaits you in this remarkable establishment, the Hotel du Cirque et de la Cascade, throughout the duration of your getaway.
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Hotel - Espuguettes Hut (Pimene Peak) - Gavarnie - End of stay
Behind the hotel, a lovely path winds along the flanks of the Astazous, towards the Pailla refuge. This is a magnificent, easy route, slightly airy in places but not dizzying. It offers the opportunity to admire the U-shaped Gavarnie valley and the journey you took the previous days. Exiting a forest of ancient firs, you will burst into the clearing of the Pailla refuge (1782m). It's a peaceful, harmonious place, but it may stir contrasting desires in you! Should you lie down in the soft grass and dream under the sylvan pines? Or climb the steep slopes of the Astazous, chasing after the wild goats?
The true goal lies further ahead! As you leave the clearing and raise your head, you'll catch sight of the Espuguettes refuge, serenely nestled on the edge of a glacial shoulder. A new domain opens up before you: the summer pastures, those famous high-altitude meadows where horses, cows, and sheep enjoy the summer months.
The trail gets a bit rougher after the sign marking the entrance to the national park, but it soon calms down. In a long zigzag, it will lead you to the beautiful Espuguettes refuge (2027m), where cold or hot drinks and blueberry tarts will reward your efforts. The many flat sections along the way will provide rest stops and places to have lunch.
And don’t forget! From the refuge, to the south-southwest, you’ll have a stunning view of the world-renowned Breche de Roland (2807m) and to the west-northwest, the famous Vignemale (3298m), the highest peak in the French Pyrenees, with remnants of ice stubbornly clinging to its slopes. Afterward, you'll descend to the forest and to Gavarnie village.
Longer Option: From the Espuguettes refuge, continue your ascent to the east. The goal is easy to spot: the Pimene, a powerful pyramid rising above you! The trail is well-marked and heads towards the Pimenes and the Hourquette de Pailla (however, beware of numerous "shortcuts" that might confuse you).
You’ll reach the small Pimene (2667m) and eventually the main Pimene (2801m). This is an extraordinary viewpoint where you can let your gaze wander 360° among the peaks and abysses! From here, you'll enjoy a privileged view of the summit ridge of the cirque, the Vignemale, and many jagged peaks. Breathtaking!
Save some breath, as the descent is done by retracing your steps, then rejoining the classic route to Gavarnie.
Visit: In Gavarnie, meet with our transport provider, who will first take you to the Pragnères hydroelectric station. After immersing yourself in nature, you'll discover what the Pyrenees provide to our local industrial heritage: hydroelectricity that powers many households. Through a virtual experience, you'll follow the footsteps of Pyrenean dams builder and the process of generating electricity will no longer hold any secrets for you...
After this visit, transfer* to Argeles-Gazost or Lourdes (or elsewhere, depending on your option), with your mind full of light and fascinating landscapes.
*Optional shower available before departure; to be arranged at the time of booking.
Activity Time
3h30 to 4h (long variant: add 3h30).
Elevation
+500/-700m (long variant: add +800/-800m).
Transfer Duration
50 min approx.
