Overview
This 8-day walk explores a spectacular central section of the GR10, the long-distance trail that crosses the French Pyrenees from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. Beginning in the dramatic Gavarnie Cirque, you spend time discovering this iconic landscape before heading east along the GR10 through pastoral valleys and traditional mountain villages.
After a night in Luz St Sauveur, the route climbs into wilder terrain, crossing both the Pyrenees National Park and the Néouvielle Nature Reserve. Here, rocky paths, high mountain refuges, ancient pine forests and a stunning chain of alpine lakes define the walking.
Staying in a mix of comfortable hotels and mountain refuges, this trip offers challenging but achievable days and a perfect introduction to long-distance hiking in the Pyrenees—combining classic GR10 walking with some of the region’s most memorable scenery.
- Néouvielle Nature Reserve
- Gavarnie Cirque
- Luz-Saint-Sauveur
- Barèges
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Gavarnie
Arrive in Lourdes, followed by a private transfer into the heart of the mountains to Gavarnie village. On arrival, you have a full trip briefing covering the route, notes and maps, GPS tracks, current weather conditions and any last practical details.
- Accommodation: Hôtel Le Marboré or similar in Gavarnie
- Meals: dinner
Day 2: Walking in the Gavarnie Cirque | 8/9.5/11km
A full day exploring one of the natural amphitheatres of the Pyrenees: the Gavarnie Cirque, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Several walking options allow you to tailor the day to your energy levels.
Option one (easy): from the village, follow the historic path behind the church towards the Spanish border – a route used for centuries by pilgrims crossing the mountains. Instead of continuing over the high pass, you head directly into the cirque, reaching La Prade before climbing gently to the Hotellerie du Cirque and the main path. Return via the same main trail.
Option two (medium): climb the side of the cirque to the Pailla Plateau before descending into its heart via the spectacular Espugues balcony path. Wide-open views throughout. Return via La Prade to avoid the busiest section of trail.
Option three (difficult): a steep ascent straight from the village to the Alans Plateau and its mountain hut, then a traverse across to the Espuguettes Refuge. From here, descend to the Pailla Plateau and into the cirque via the Espugues path, returning via La Prade.
From the Hotellerie du Cirque, there is also the option to climb to the foot of the Grande Cascade, plunging from the vertical walls above.
Additional 2.5 km | ±220 m | ~1.5 hrs
Return to Gavarnie in the afternoon. Organise picnic supplies for the following day either with the hotel or at the small local supermarket.
- Accommodation: Hôtel Le Marboré or similar in Gavarnie
- Meals: breakfast and dinner
- Walking for the day: easy – 8km, ↑240m ↓240m, 3h / medium – 9.5km, ↑450m ↓450m, 5h / difficult 11km, ↑730m ↓730m, 6h
Day 3: Gavarnie – Luz-Saint-Sauveur | 13/18/27km
Today, you head south on the GR10, one of the great long-distance paths of the Pyrenees. A spectacular stage with far-reaching views into the Troumouse and Estaubé Cirques before descending through the Bué forest. The route can be shortened by taking the bus from Pragnères to Luz-Saint-Sauveur. There is also a shorter option by walking down into Gèdre from Saugué and catching the bus to Luz-Saint-Sauveur from there.
- Accommodation: Hotel Les Templiers or similar in Luz-Saint-Sauveur
- Meals: breakfast
- Walking for the day: 13km, ↑535m ↓910m, 5-6h / 18km, ↑750m ↓1,220m, 7-8h / 27km, ↑1140m ↓1,800m, 8-10h
Day 4: Luz-Saint-Sauveur – Barèges | 9.5/12.5km
Continue along the GR10 towards Barèges, with pastoral scenery throughout. You can choose between two routes.
Standard route: via the mountain villages of Viella, Viey and Sers.
Longer route: via the high pastures above Betpouey for a more open and elevated walk.
- Accommodation: Hôtel Alphée or similar in Barèges
- Meals: breakfast
- Walking for the day: 9.5km, ↑720m ↓215m, 4-5h / 12.5km, ↑885m ↓380m, 5-6h
Day 5: Barèges – Néouvielle Nature Reserve – Campana de Cloutou Refuge | 13.5km
Morning transfer from Barèges to the Tournaboup car park. From here, climb steadily through increasingly wild terrain via the Aygues Cluses Refuge, the Hourquette Nère and the Hourquette de Caderolles. You now enter the Néouvielle Nature Reserve, where granite landscapes, high lakes and ancient pine forests dominate. Trails become rockier and the atmosphere distinctly high-mountain. It is possible to skip the transfer to Tournaboup, which adds 3km to the walk.
- Accommodation: Campana de Cloutou Refuge
- Meals: breakfast and dinner
- Walking for the day: 13.5km, ↑1,200m ↓455m, 7h
Day 6: Campana de Cloutou Refuge – Refuge d’Orédon | 12km
A superb high-mountain day via the Refuge de Bastan, crossing some of the most beautiful terrain in the Néouvielle massif. Lakes, open granite slopes and expansive views dominate the route. A steeper climb and descent towards the end of the day add a satisfying physical challenge.
- Accommodation: Refuge d’Orédon
- Meals: breakfast, packed lunch and dinner
- Walking for the day: 12km, ↑770m ↓1,080m, 6-7h
Day 7: Refuge d’Orédon – Tournaboup – Luz-Saint-Sauveur
Another lake-filled day. Climb via the Aumar and Aubert lakes to the Hourquette d’Aubert before descending past a chain of smaller lakes back to the Tournaboup car park. At the end of the walk, in Tournaboup, you are transferred to Luz-Saint-Sauveur for you final evening.
- Accommodation: Hotel Les Templiers or similar in Luz-Saint-Sauveur
- Meals: breakfast and packed lunch
- Walking for the day: 14km, ↑650m ↓1,500m, 7-8h
Day 8: Departure
Departure after breakfast.
- Meals: breakfast
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of mostly small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs, traditional guesthouses and refuges in dormitory rooms with shared facilities.. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism.
Click to view the default accommodations
- Hôtel Le Marboré (Gavarnie)
- Hotel Les Templiers (Luz-Saint-Sauveur)
- Hôtel Alphée (Barèges)
- Campana de Cloutou Refuge (dormitory with shared bathroom)
- Refuge d’Orédon (dormitory with shared bathrooms, no showers)
Accommodation is subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel or guesthouse being fully booked for your chosen 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.
Meals
All breakfasts are included. Four dinners (days one, two, five and six) and two packed lunches (days five and six), any packed lunches for the other walking days can be bought at the local shops.
Difficulty and terrain
This holiday is appropriate for very experienced walkers with excellent level of fitness. 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
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
- All breakfasts
- 2 packed lunches (days five and six)
- 4 dinners (days one, two, five and six)
- Transfer from Lourdes to Gavarnie on day one
- Transfer from Barèges to Tournaboup
- Transfers from Tournaboup to Luz-Saint-Sauveur
- Welcome meeting with a full briefing on weather and snow conditions
- Your main luggage will be transported from Gavarnie (day one), and you will have access to it while in Luz (days three and seven)
- 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
- Drinks and snacks
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Any items not specifically mentioned as included in the programme
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own (single room not possible at the refuges)
- We regret that this tour is not open to solo travellers
