Stays

Cauterets-Gavarnie : the gem of Central Pyrenees and UNESCO World Heritage, with snowshoes

Central Pyrenees
Guided walking
Guided Walking
6 Days
5 Nights
4 Activity Days
From 795,00 €

This tour in the heart of the Central Pyrenees allows you to discover some of the most beautiful sites in the Pyrenean mountain range. From Cauterets, you will discover two magnificent valleys with a Canadian feel: the Gaube valley and the Marcadau valley. Snow-covered landscapes, pine groves, valleys, high peaks, waterfalls and frozen lakes are on the programme.


In the valley of Luz St Sauveur, you will climb two nice summits easy to access which will allow you to enjoy superb 360° panoramas on the main summits of more than 3000m of the region: Balaïtous, Vignemale, Néouvielle, Pic du Midi de Bigorre, Taillon... and so many others!


Another highlight of the trip is the discovery of the famous Gavarnie cirque with its many peaks over 3000m frozen by winter. Home to the largest waterfall in Europe (423m), the Gavarnie cirque with its magnificent architecture cannot be described, it can only be contemplated and discovered. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this natural glacial cirque impresses by its size and height, its walls reaching almost 1500m.


In the wild and preserved setting of the Pyrenees National Park, you will follow routes with a gentle relief that are particularly well suited to snowshoeing.


After the hikes, the thermal complex Les Bains du rocher will allow you to enjoy a well-deserved moment of rest and relaxation (optional)!

Dates and Prices

Price per person :
Price per person : 740€ (from 08/01/2023 to 27/07/2023 and 05/03/2023 to 10/03/2023)
Price per person : 765€ (from 05/02/2023 to 03/03/2023)

Extras :

- Balneo supplement: 5h pass (usable from Monday to Thursday) to access the balneo area (indoor and outdoor pools, sauna, hammam, salt stone rest room): €60/pers
- Additional night in B&B double room: €44/pers

Price includes

The price includes :

- Full board accommodation from dinner on day 1 to breakfast and picnic on day 6
- Transfers during the stay
- Equipment provided: snowshoes, walking sticks and avalanche transceiver
- Supervision by a mountain guide specialised in the area

Price doesn't include:

The price does not include :

- Insurances
- Access to balneotherapy and personalised balneotherapy treatments.
- Meals not included in the price
- Transfers not included in the programme
- Visits
- Drinks
- Booking fees (15€ per booking)

Day 1 : Start of the stay in Lourdes

Meeting at 6pm at Lourdes train station and transfer to Cauterets (35min). Check-in at your accommodation. Briefing on the trip.

Day 2 : The Hautacam peak, a fantastic viewpoint in the Central Pyrenees

Transfer (45min). The Hautacam peak is one of the most beautiful and easily accessible viewpoints in winter. Its easy access from the Hautacam ski resort offers an exceptional 360° panorama over the plain and many peaks of the Central Pyrenees. From the Balaïtous to the Pic du Midi de Bigorre via the Vignemale and the "3000" of Gavarnie, the view for a summit of this altitude (1746m) is incredible! Distance: 11km, length 4h00, altitude difference +280m, altitude difference -280m

Day 3 : The Riou pass and Pène Nère summit

Transfer (50min). From the resort of Luz Ardiden, a gentle ascent leads to the Col de Riou, straddling the valley of Cauterets and the valley of Luz St Sauveur. The route then follows a superb ridge to the summit of Pène Nère. Magnificent views of the Néouvielle massif and the Troumouse cirque as well as the peaks overlooking Cauterets. Distance: 9km, length 4h00, altitude difference +420m, altitude difference -420m

Day 4 : The Marcadau valley and refuge

Short transfer (15min). The Marcadau valley is one of the most beautiful valleys in the Pyrenees. The route punctuated by the magnificent Cayan plateau, waterfalls and forests makes this site a real "little Canada". Arriving at the large Wallon refuge, the view of the high border summits (Vignemale, Grande Fache, Cambalès...) will be the last highlight of the day! Distance: 16km, length 5h45, altitude difference +420m, altitude difference -420m.

Day 5 : Gavarnie Circus

Today the objective is to explore the Gavarnie cirque from different points of view. First of all, we'll walk through the Saugué plateau which allows us to discover beautiful barns and above all a superb panorama on Gavarnie. This will be an opportunity to better understand the work of the glaciers that forged these landscapes, and that we see disappearing before our eyes today... Then, we will visit the village of Gavarnie and observe the heart of the cirque, its icy waterfalls and the immensity of its vertical walls. Distance: 14km, length 5h30, altitude difference +450m, altitude difference -450m.

Day 6 : Lake Gaube

Short transfer (15min). Starting from the Pont d'Espagne, you walk through the famous and unmissable Gaube valley. After a forest crossing along the Gave, you arrive at the superb frozen lake of Gaube. In the distance, the majestic north face of the Vignemale, the highest peak in the French Pyrenees, appears. In the early afternoon, after your hike, transfer back to Lourdes station. Distance: 5,5km, length 3h30, altitude difference +270m, altitude difference -270m

NB: the order of the hikes is subject to the decisions of our mountain leader, who is the sole judge according to the level of the participants and the weather.

The programmes have been drawn up according to the latest information available at the time of writing: imponderables are always possible and situations beyond our control may change the course of the programme. On site, our guides are the best judges, they may have to modify the itinerary depending on the weather or if the safety of the group requires it.

Welcome

On day 1 at 5:15 pm at Lourdes train station for a transfer (35min journey) to Cauterets (65, Hautes-Pyrénées). Or directly at the gîte le Beau soleil, 21 Rue du Maréchal Joffre in Cauterets (06.61.10.27.21).
It is IMPERATIVE to inform us one week in advance by text message at +33 6 10 97 16 54, of your arrival time and means (train at Lourdes station or car directly at Cauterets).

Dispersion

On day 6 at about 3.35 pm, after your transfer to Lourdes train station.

Level

Nature of the terrain

Hikes in snowy mountain, on gentle slopes that are appropriate for snowshoe hiking

Level 2

These trips are designed for people who are looking for active holidays. A reasonable level of physical condition is required. 3h30 to 5h45 hours of hike per day. Climbing pace* +300 m per hour.

*Be advised : these are average times that only take into account the effective walking time and do not include the stops during the hike.

Accommodation

5 nights in a family gite with the Green Key label: Acting for sustainable tourism, full board. The Beau Soleil gite is a friendly, family-run accommodation, where a mountainous and friendly atmosphere prevails. Anouk will give you a warm welcome, and will cook us good food! The gîte is located in the heart of the old village, 350m from the Bains du rocher thermal baths.


Food
- Continental breakfast (tea, coffee, milk, bread, butter, jam)
- Evening meal often based on specialities, including starter, main course and dessert
- Picnics included
- Drinks not included

Group

From 4 to 12 people.

Supervision

Supervision by a BE AMM specialist of the region.

Stay reviews

Cauterets-Gavarnie : The Gem of Central Pyrenees and UNESCO World Heritage, with snowshoes

Thank you to Respyrenees for a wonderful week in the snow. Great service, a super guide and everything so well organised. I was very impressed and already planning my next holiday with Respyrenees.
01 March 2024

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