GR10 stage 4: Cauterets to Luchon at your own pace
In summary
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Sports
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Duration7 days
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LevelExpert
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DestinationFrance / Pyrenees
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AgeFrom 16 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions57.98 kg CO2
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Type of stayIndependent traveler
In a few words
Indulge in this independent trek in the heart of the central Pyrenees, along the GR10 trail! These paths invite you to discover remarkable sites , passing through typical Pyrenean villages , unspoiled natural areas , and charming mountain huts nestled in the mountains. Traveling independently , your only guide will be a travel pack, adding authenticity to this week of trekking and allowing you to progress at your own pace. This trip is a true adventure that offers a chance to disconnect and discover this still- wild region!
The highlights
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Part of the route is within the Pyrenees National Park
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Discovering the Néouvielle nature reserve and its countless mountain lakes
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Beautiful mountain villages: Cauterets, Barèges St Lary Soulan, Germ, Luchon
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
The expert's opinion
Trained walker, in good physical condition with good experience in mountain hiking.
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 6h30
- Average distance/day: 17 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 975 m
- Average daily descent: 1050 m
Management
The paper travel file includes:
- IGN maps of the route with your itinerary highlighted
- Paper and personalized roadbook
- Planning schedule including a list of accommodations and transport (if transport has been booked).
- Luggage tags if you have booked luggage transport by us between accommodations.
In addition, we give you access to the detailed route on our mobile application (digital roadbook), and we provide you with the GPS tracks of the route on request.
Program
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Day 1: Start of stay in Cauterets
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 12 km
- Positive elevation gain 850 m
- Negative elevation 850 m
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 1h45
- Distance 5 km
- Positive elevation gain 300 m
- Negative elevation 300 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Settle into your accommodation in Cauterets, a renowned spa town. Explore the town and its architectural heritage, visit the National Park Visitor Centre, or go hiking.
Two routes are offered:
- The Turon des Oules and the Lisey plateau
Hike in the forest, up to the Turon des Oules, from where you will overlook the resort of Cauterets, and/or to the Lisey plateau, a true suspended glacial valley with the possibility of continuing to the pass which promises you a magnificent panorama.
- Lake Gaube seen from the Pont d'Espagne
From Cauterets, take the shuttle from the Pont d'Espagne and hike to the magnificent Lac de Gaube.
Day 1 -
Day 2: From Cauterets to Luz Saint Sauveur
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 8h30
- Distance 22 km
- Positive elevation gain 1200 m
- Negative elevation 1400 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Today's stage leads to Luz Saint Sauveur, a renowned spa town, via the Col de Riou, which separates the Cauterets and Luz valleys. From the pass, the panorama is breathtaking: the Barèges valley, the Néouvielle massif, the Troumouse cirque, and at your feet, the Luz-Ardiden ski resort. On the Cauterets side, you can glimpse the Cirque du Lys, the Pic Cabaliros, and the nearby peaks of the Marcadau valley.
Day 2 -
Day 3: From Luz Saint Sauveur to Barèges
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Distance 12 km
- Positive elevation gain 750 m
- Negative elevation 250 m
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 9h
- Distance 23 km
- Positive elevation gain 1650 m
- Negative elevation 1150 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
The GR10 trail leaves the charming village of Luz and climbs gradually through forests and meadows, offering beautiful views of the Bastan Valley. It passes through several typical hamlets, such as Sers, with its stone barns and fountains. The arrival in Barèges, a small spa town nestled at 1,250 meters altitude, marks the gateway to the Néouvielle massif. As this stage is relatively short and easy, a longer alternative route off the GR10 is possible, visiting the magnificent Glère area and its numerous lakes.
Day 3 -
Day 4: From Barèges to Lac de l'Oule (or Orédon)
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 8h15
- Distance 22 km
- Positive elevation gain 1450 m
- Negative elevation 850 m
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 7h30
- Distance 19 km
- Positive elevation gain 1250 m
- Negative elevation 650 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
From Barèges, you'll begin your ascent to the Col de Madamète via the beautiful Aygues Cluses valley and its lakes. After crossing the pass, you'll enter the splendid Néouvielle Nature Reserve, where you can admire the enchanting landscapes that unfold before you. The stage concludes with the lakes of Aumar and Aubert, the Col d'Estoudou, and finally, the Lac de l'Oule. For the more leisurely option, the stage ends at the Lac d'Orédon.
Day 4 -
Day 5: From Lake Oule (or Orédon) to Vielle Aure
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h45
- Distance 17 km
- Positive elevation gain 500 m
- Negative elevation 1500 m
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 8h
- Distance 20 km
- Positive elevation gain 800 m
- Negative elevation 1850 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
From the Oule refuge, you follow the lake and gain altitude to reach the Col de Portet, at an altitude of 2215m. From the pass, via the Saint Lary alpine ski resort and high-altitude meadows, the GR10 descends towards the mountain village of Vieille-Aure and the site of its manganese mine near Saint-Lary-Soulan. For a more comfortable option, start from Lake Orédon.
Day 5 -
Day 6: From Germ to the Espingo refuge
- Transportation Car - 00h30 - 24km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 8h
- Distance 17 km
- Positive elevation gain 1650 m
- Negative elevation 1050 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
In the morning, transfer to Germ. (It is also possible to hike this section, adding an extra night in Germ; please contact us for details) . You can enjoy a splendid viewpoint overlooking the Franco-Spanish peaks. Here, the daily life of the local people is dictated by the rhythms of agricultural and pastoral activities. From the village, the GR10 crosses the Pas de Couret, at an altitude of 2131m, before descending into the Luchon region. Finally, the climb to Lac d'Espingo via the Granges d'Astau, then Lac d'Oo, is a truly magnificent experience! It is possible to divide this long stage in two by adding an extra night; please contact us for details.
Day 6 -
Day 7: From the Espingo refuge to Luchon
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 7h30
- Distance 19 km
- Positive elevation gain 650 m
- Negative elevation 1950 m
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h45
- Distance 11 km
- Positive elevation gain 650 m
- Negative elevation 800 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
The hike towards Luchon offers a true high-mountain experience. The GR10 crosses the Hourquette des Hounts secs pass, then the Col de la Coume de Bourg pass at 2272m, with an optional out-and-back route off the GR10 leading to the Pic de Céciré, which reaches 2403m. From the summit, the view extends towards the Maladeta massif and its retreating glaciers, or towards the Spijeoles dihedral. The descent to Luchon is via the Superbagnères ski resort. In July and August, it's possible to take the ski resort's gondola lift to avoid a long descent (€10.50/person; not included in the price).
Day 7
Note
The programs were established based on the latest information available at the time of writing: unforeseen circumstances are always possible and situations beyond our control may alter their course.
Accommodation
Access
Your stay begins at your accommodation in Cauterets, depending on your arrival time.
End of your stay in Luchon, after your hike.
Go to the starting point
How to get to Cauterets by public transport:
Numerous trains depart from major cities towards Lourdes (sometimes with connections): https://www.sncf-connect.com
Buses from Lourdes to Cauterets (Hautes-Pyrénées - Line 965 – Lourdes > Cauterets route): https://www.lio-occitanie.fr/horaires-et-plans/
How to leave Luchon by public transport:
From Luchon, trains run to major cities (with connections): https://www.sncf-connect.com
How to get from Luchon to Cauterets by public transport:
Train from Luchon to Lourdes (with a connection at Montrejeau): https://www.sncf-connect.com
Buses from Lourdes to Cauterets (Hautes-Pyrénées - Line 965 – Lourdes > Cauterets route): https://www.lio-occitanie.fr/horaires-et-plans
Vehicle parking in Cauterets:
All paid and free parking options are listed on this page: https://www.cauterets.com/blog/stationnement-a-cauterets/
Vehicle parking in Luchon:
All paid and free parking areas can be found on this page: https://www.mairie-luchon.fr/stationnement/
If you are leaving your vehicle for the entire duration of your stay, please check with the tourist office to find out if any events (festivals, markets, etc.) will be organized at your parking location.
It is strongly recommended that you travel by train for your trip to avoid returning to your starting point to retrieve your vehicle, as journeys can be very long and poorly served, or expensive if you choose to return by taxi. However, if you do choose to come by car, we advise you to leave your vehicle at your arrival point on the first day and drive to your starting point for your trip. This will give you time to make the journey and you won't be tired from your week of hiking.
Price details
The price includes
- Accommodation in a shared dormitory with half-board
- The transfer of J6
- The travel kit with maps and guidebook
- The travel kit includes IGN maps and a guidebook
- Access the detailed route on our mobile app
- GPS tracks available upon request
The price does not include
- Showers in mountain huts are not free.
- Drinks
- Picnics
Options
- Picnic : CHF77.76 / person
- Comfort version (5 nights in a private room) : CHF118.92 / person
- Single room (if comfort version) : CHF114.35 / person
- Luggage transport for a group of 2 people : CHF150.94 / person
- Luggage transport for a group of 3 people : CHF109.78 / person
- Luggage transport for a group of 4 people : CHF82.33 / person
- Luggage transport for a group of 5 people : CHF73.18 / person
- Luggage transport for a group of 6 people : CHF64.04 / person
- Return transfer from Bagnères de Luchon to Cauterets during the week : CHF279.01 / reservation
- Return transfer from Bagnères de Luchon to Cauterets on Sundays and public holidays : CHF301.88 / reservation
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
- Backpack of approximately 40L
- Sleeping bag sheet
- Picnic
- Airtight container for picnics
- Gourd
- Hiking shoes
- Lightweight shoes
- Telescopic poles
- Sunglasses
- Hat/cap
- Camera
- Toiletries
- Headlamp
Clothing to bring
- Waterproof windproof jacket
- Fleece jacket
- Breathable walking clothes
- Change of clothes
- Swimsuit
- Towel
