Pyrenees High Trails: Cirques of Gavarnie, Estaubé and Troumouse

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*This map is only for general reference; detailed route maps will be provided in your pre-departure package.

Day 1: Arrive Luz Saint Sauveur

Arrive in Luz Saint Sauveur and meet our local representative. Spend the night in a comfortable hostel in the centre of the lively thermal spa village in the sunny valley. See the remarkable fortified church and the bold Pont Napoléon built by Emperor Napoléon to extend the road from Saint Sauveur to Gavarnie.

• Accommodation: Hostel Le Regain (dormitory rooms for 3 to 8 pax; shared bathrooms with hot showers)

• Optional accommodation upgrade: 2* Hotel des Cimes or 3* Hotel Les Templiers

Day 2: Luz Saint Sauveur to Saugué | 5-10km

Hop on the bus to Pragnère (900m) or Gèdre (1,000m). We will give you a lift if the bus isn’t running. In both cases, you will finish your walk at the Saugué Gite (1,600m). Cows and the flower-filled high pastures surround your accommodation on the Saugué Plateau. The longer walk has spectacular views into the Troumouse Cirque and over the valley. The shorter option passes through the pastoral hamlet of Saussa.

• Walking for the day: 10km, ↑1,000m ↓300m or 5km, ↑600m ↓300m
• Accommodation: Gite de Saugué (dormitory rooms for 8 pax; shared bathrooms with hot showers)

Day 3: Saugué and the Portaillou Pass | 9km

Head out with a day pack only up to the Portaillou Pass (2,277m) above the Saugué Plateau for wonderful views over the frontier summits and the Brèche de Roland. Return via the same path or head off-piste and find your way down through the pastures to the gite.

• Walking for the day: 9km, ↑670m ↓670m
• Accommodation: Gite de Saugué (dormitory rooms for 8 pax; shared bathrooms with hot showers)

Day 4: Saugué to Grange de Holle via Ossoue |6-13km

Walk from Saugué down towards Gavarnie and enjoy the astounding views of the Gavarnie Cirque as you descend. Many rare plants and animals live on the peaks at the upper rim of the Cirque de Gavarnie, protected on both the French and the Spanish sides by national parks. Martagon lilies grow in the pine forests. Saxifraga and other tiny alpine flowers cling to the rock faces. Chamois, a type of mammal similar to goats or antelope, live among the crags. There is the option of heading deep into the Ossoue Valley (plenty of flowers and wildlife) for a full day’s walk, or to walk straight up to the Grange de Holle for a half-day walk.

• Walking for the day: 13km, ↑550m ↓500m or 6km, ↑80m ↓150m
• Accommodation: Refuge La Grange de Holle (dormitory rooms for 6-8 pax; shared bathrooms with hot showers)

• Optional accommodation upgrade: 2* Hotel Compostelle

Day 5: Grange de Holle to Refuge des Espuguettes | 9-12km

Today you walk right into the heart of the Gavarnie Cirque and then climb to the refuge perched high in the pastures above the cirque. In good, dry weather and with no snow, walk to the foot of the roaring waterfall Grand Cascade. It descends some 422m over a series of steps before reaching the floor of the cirque.

• Walking for the day: 9km, ↑550m (hike to the waterfall adds 3km and 200m ascent/descent)
• Accommodation: Refuge des Espuguettes (dormitory rooms for 3-8 pax; no showers)

Day 6: Espugettes to Héas via Estaubé Cirque | 14km

After breakfast, start with a stiff climb from the Refuge des Espuguettes to the high pass of the Hourquette d’Alans, 2,430m. For enthusiastic walkers, there is the option to make the ascent to the dramatic Pimené peak, 2,801m – and enjoy 360-degree views. From the Hourquette d’Alans, the path goes down into the picturesque Cirque d’Estaubé. The path makes its way down to the edge of the lake, where you can have a rest before the second climb of the day takes us up to the plateau of the Turon de Pouey Boucou. The path descends into the pastoral hamlet of Héas at 1,500m, a fascinating spot with a colourful history of
pilgrimages.

• Walking for the day: 14km, ↑350m ↓640 m
• Accommodation: Auberge de la Munia (shared bathrooms with hot showers)

Day 7: Troumouse Cirque & Balconies | 9km

A short morning’s climb takes you up into the Cirque de Troumouse. The route is skirting the edge of the cirque, where there is the best chance of seeing Griffon vultures, chamois and marmots, as well as tiny alpine flowers nestling amongst the rocks. We will pick you up in the afternoon from the accommodation for a transfer back to Luz for your last overnight.

• Walking for the day: 9km, ↑700m ↓700m
• Accommodation: Hostel Le Regain (dormitory rooms for 3 to 8 pax; shared bathrooms with warm showers)

• Optional accommodation upgrade: 2* Hotel des Cimes or 3* Hotel Les Templiers

Day 8: Departure

The tour ends after breakfast.

Click to view default hotels

• Days 1&7: Hostel Le Regain (dormitory rooms for 3 to 8 pax; shared bathrooms with hot showers)
• Days 2&3: Gite de Saugué (dormitory rooms for 8 pax; shared bathrooms with hot showers)
• Day 4: Refuge La Grange de Holle (dormitory rooms for 6-8 pax; shared bathrooms with hot showers)
• Day 5: Refuge des Espuguettes (dormitory rooms for 3-8 pax; no showers)
• Day 6: Auberge de la Munia (shared bathrooms with hot showers)

Click to view upgraded hotels

• Days 1&7: 2* Hotel des Cimes or 3* Hotel Les Templiers
• Day 4: 2* Hotel Compostelle

*Hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.