Pyrenean travel agency specializing in your hikes and treks in the Pyrenees, the GR10 and more
BASQUE COUNTRY: Maison IPUTXAINIA, 64220 ASCARAT
ARIEGE: 20 chemin de la montagne, 09000 FOIX
+33 (0)5 34 14 51 50 - +33 (0)6 10 97 16 54
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Stays
Cauterets-Gavarnie : the gem of Central Pyrenees and UNESCO World Heritage, with snowshoes
Central Pyrenees
Guided walking
Guided Walking
6 Days
5 Nights
5 Activity Days
From 825,00 €
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)!
HIGHLIGHTS :
• A star-shaped tour in rooms of 2 in a family gite with the Green Key label.
• Hiking in the Pyrenees National Park.
• Hiking in great classified sites of the Pyrenees: Gaube valley, Gavarnie, Marcadau valley...
• Gently sloping routes suitable for snowshoeing.
• Balneo access optional after your hikes.
• A star-shaped tour in rooms of 2 in a family gite with the Green Key label.
• Hiking in the Pyrenees National Park.
• Hiking in great classified sites of the Pyrenees: Gaube valley, Gavarnie, Marcadau valley...
• Gently sloping routes suitable for snowshoeing.
• Balneo access optional after your hikes.
Dates and Prices
Departures
Departure guaranteed from 4 participants.
Price
Per person: €825 (from 01/04/2026 to 02/06/2026 and from 03/08/2026 to 03/13/2026)
Per person: €850 (from 02/08/2026 to 03/06/2026)
Extras/réductions :
- Balneotherapy supplement: 5-hour pass (valid from Monday to Thursday) for access to the balneotherapy area (indoor and outdoor pools, sauna, steam room, salt stone relaxation room): 50 € per person
- Additional night in a double room with breakfast: 46 € per person
- Full board accommodation from dinner on day 1 to breakfast and picnic on day 6
- Transfers during the stay
- Guidance by a certified mountain guide (BE AMM) specializing in the region
- 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 5:45 PM 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, duration: 4h00, ascent: +280m, descent: -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, duration: 4h00, ascent: +420m, descent: -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, duration: 5h45, ascent: +420m,
descent: -420m
Day 5 : Gavarnie Circus
Transfer
(55min). Today the objective is to explore the Gavarnie
cirque from different points of view. First of all, we'll
walk through the Peyrenère plateau which allows us to discover 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, duration: 5h30, ascent: +450m, descent: -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, duration: 3h30, ascent: +270m, descent: -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).
Dispersion
On day 6 at about 4.15 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
OTHER ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
On certain dates, the size of the group and the allocation requirements for different room types may lead us to work with another accommodation partner in Cauterets. If this is the case, you will be informed before your registration is confirmed, so that the decision is entirely yours.
Group
From 4 to 12 people.
Supervision
Supervision by a BE AMM specialist of the region.
Materials provided
Snowshoes, walking sticks and avalanche transceiver (DVA), and hiking crampons.
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.
Anne
01 March 2024
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