Overview
The GR10 is a French long-distance hiking trail that covers a distance of 866km and runs the length of the Pyrenees from Hendaye on the Bay of Biscay to Banyuls-Sur-Mer on the Mediterranean Sea. On this 8-day self guided trek between Cauterets and Néouvielle, you will take in the highest pass on the GR10 trail, the Hourquette d’Ossoue (2,734m), along with the Madamète Pass (2,509m).
Hike through stunning scenery that varies greatly, with flower-filled meadows, sparkling lakes, cirques and high summits. Take in the Pyrenees National Park and the Néouvielle Nature Reserve. Stay in small mountain gites and refuges and appreciate the company of like-minded hikers and the warm hospitality of the locals. Visit some lovely thermal spa villages like Luz Saint Sauveur and Cauterets. Savour some of France’s most spectacular mountain vistas and a glimpse into rural Pyrenean culture.
Click to view map
*This map is only for general reference; detailed route maps will be provided in your pre-departure package.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Lourdes & Transfer to Cauterets
Arrive in Lourdes on your own. Our local representative will meet you there for the welcome meeting and will transfer you to Cauterets. You can leave your main luggage with us until Day 4. At an altitude of 950 m and surrounded by the majestic Pyrenean peaks, Cauterets is a small town with a population of 1,000. It has been a spa destination since the early 19th century, and its architecture is typical of the period. Visit the wooden railway station, now a concert venue.
- Accommodation: Gite Beau Soleil, Cauterets (basic private room, en-suite)
- Optional upgrade: 2* Hotel Edelweiss or 3* Hotel Lion d’Or
Day 2: Cauterets to Refuge des Oulettes de Gaube | 5.5h
Start today’s hike on the waterfall path leading up to the Pont d’Espagne. In about an hour you can have a break in front of the dramatic Cascade du Lutour. Climb the Chemin des Cascades; a path literally strewed with waterfalls before arriving at the spectacular Pont d’Espagne. Another short climb will take you at the edge of the Lac de Gaube – perfect spot for a lunch break. In the afternoon you will arrive at Refuge des Oulettes de Gaube in front of the dramatic north face of the Vignemale – with its 3,298m, it’s the highest of the French Pyrenean summits.
- Walking for the day: 5h 40min, ↑1,240m
- Accommodation: Refuge des Oulettes de Gaube (dormitory rooms for 8 pax; cold shower available if enough water)
Day 3: Refuge des Oulettes de Gaube to Gavarnie | 7.5h
Today is a long day, so make sure to leave early. Setting out you walk up to the highest pass on the GR10, the Hourquette d’Ossoue for a view onto the summits above Gavarnie. Walk down towards Gavarnie through the pastoral Vallée d’Ossoue.
- Walking for the day: 7h 30min, ↑585m ↓1,255m
- Accommodation: Refuge La Grange de Holle (dormitory rooms for 6-8 pax; shared bathrooms with hot showers)
- Optional accommodation upgrade: 2* Hotel Compostelle
Day 4: Gavarnie to Luz Saint Sauveur | 8.5h
Another long day awaits. Head north up to the Saugué Plateau and continue to the high plateau of Superpeyre for wonderful views into the Cirque d’Estaubé and the Cirque de Troumouse before heading down through the Bué forest to the charming thermal spa village of Luz Saint Sauveur. You can shorten the last leg by catching the bus from Pragnère. Spend the night in a comfortable hostel in the centre of the village, known for the church of Saint-André Les Templiers. If you have left your main luggage with us, you will be able to access it tonight.
- Walking for the day: 8h 30min, ↑245m ↓1,005m
- Accommodation: Gite 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 5: Luz Saint Sauveur to Lac de l’Oule 7.5h
From Luz, we will transfer you up to the Tournaboup car park for the start of your hike in the Néouvielle Nature Reserve through the Vallée d’Aigues Cluses and over the Col de Madamette (2,509m). Enjoy the spectacular views of the sparkling lakes and walk down into this exceptional area, known for its high altitude Mediterranean flora. Overnight in a refuge by the lake l’Oule.
- Walking for the day: 7h 30min, ↑1,059m ↓700m
- Accommodation: Refuge de l’Oule (dormitory rooms for 4-8 pax; shared bathrooms with hot showers)
Day 6: Lac de l’Oule to Artigues | 6h
Today’s hike starts with a spectacular walk past the Bastan and Campana lakes through more of the high mountain granite scenery, before a long descent to the hamlet of Artigues, where you spend the night in a comfortable hostel.
- Walking for the day: 6h, ↑686m ↓1,205m
- Accommodation: Gite Les Cascades (dormitory rooms with private bathrooms with hot showers)
Day 7: Artigues to Tournaboup | 6h
After breakfast, enjoy the magnificent views of the Pic du Midi de Bigorre as you walk back to Tournaboup. We will pick you up from Tournaboup and transfer you to Luz Saint Sauveur for your last overnight (your main luggage will be waiting for you at the hostel).
- Walking for the day: 5h 45min, ↑1,180m ↓970 m
- Accommodation: Gite 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 8: Departure
The tour ends after breakfast.
What to expect
Accommodation
On this walking holiday, you will be staying in welcoming hostels and refuges mostly in dormitory rooms with shared facilities. We have carefully hand-picked all places and regularly monitor their quality. We have tried to choose accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour.
Click to view the default accommodations for this trip
- Day 1: Gite Beau Soleil, Cauterets (basic private room, en-suite)
- Day 2: Refuge des Oulettes de Gaube (dormitory rooms for 8 pax; cold shower available if enough water)
- Day 3: Refuge La Grange de Holle (dormitory rooms for 6-8 pax; shared bathrooms with hot showers)
- Day 4&7: Gite Le Regain (dormitory rooms for 3 to 8 pax; shared bathrooms with hot showers)
- Day 5: Refuge de l’Oule (dormitory rooms for 4-8 pax; shared bathrooms with hot showers)
- Day 6: Gite Les Cascades (dormitory rooms with private bathrooms and hot showers)
*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.
Click to view the optional accommodation upgrades available for this trip
- Day 1: 2* Hotel Edelweiss or 3* Hotel Lion d’Or
- Day 3: 2* Hotel Compostelle
- Days 4&7: 2* Hotel des Cimes or 3* Hotel Les Templiers
Meals
All breakfasts, packed lunches and dinners are included.
Difficulty and terrain
This holiday is appropriate for experienced walkers (no high mountain experience required). Good level of fitness needed. Daily walks are between 6 and 8 and a half hours. Some of the trails have steep ascents and long descents (read more about difficulty grades). The trail is well marked with red and white painted blazes and generally easy to follow, although it is often rocky and mountainous in character. You should have a good head for heights and be able to navigate. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime.
When to go
This trip is available from mid-July to end-September.
The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates and you can start your trip on any date within the season.
Getting there
Up-to-date FCO travel advice on France is available here.
Click to view travel options
By plane
By train or bus
- Lourdes Airport: From the airport take the bus to the town centre.
- Biarritz Airport: First take the bus to Mairie de Bayonne (25min) from the airport and then the train to Lourdes (1h 30min).
- San Sebastian Airport: Train via Bayonne (2h 18min).
- Bordeaux Airport: 50min journey to Saint-Jean station with TBM, followed by a train ride to Lourdes (less than 3h)
- By train from the UK: Take the Eurostar train from London St Pancras Eurostar to Paris Nord (2h 23min; twice daily). Take the subway from Gare du Nord to Montparnasse-Bienvenue (17min), walk to Paris Montparnasse (10min) and hop on the train to Lourdes (approx. 5h)
For more information, timetables and tickets, visit French railways and LIO or use the Omio travel planner above.
Inclusions
Included
- 7 nights accommodation in dormitory rooms with shared bathroom facilities (optional upgrade)
- All breakfasts, picnic lunches and dinners
- Welcome meeting with a full briefing on weather and snow conditions
- Arrival transfer Lourdes – Cauterets
- Transfer Luz Saint Sauveur to Tournaboup
- Departure transfer Tournaboup – Luz Saint Sauveur
- Your main luggage will be transported from Cauterets (Day 1), and you will have access to it while in Luz (Days 4 & 7)
- Pre-departure info pack and detailed road notes and maps (some useful information will be sent in advance, hard copies of the tour documentation will be handed to you on arrival)
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Any items not specifically mentioned as included in the programme
Options, extras and supplements
- An optional upgrade is available on Days 1, 3, 4 and 7 in double/twin or single rooms (please note that if you avail of the upgrade, dinner will not be included in Luz, however, there are plenty of options in the village).
- This holiday is not available for solo travellers
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