GR10 stage 4: Gavarnie to Bagnères-de-Luchon
In summary
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Sports
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Duration7 days
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LevelExpert
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DestinationGavarnie / Néouvielle Massif
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AgeAccessible to all ages
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CO₂-Emissions79.9 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
English
In a few words
Follow the GR 10 , and it will lead you to sites of remarkable natural beauty ! This unforgettable trekking adventure takes you to the heart of the Central Pyrenees, following an iconic section of the Pyrenees Crossing . Your trek begins in the Pyrenees National Park , with the discovery of three Pyrenean cirques. You start with the majestic Cirque de Gavarnie , an impressive natural amphitheater of limestone, world-renowned for its beauty. From there, you will cross the high-altitude meadows of the wild Cirque d'Estaubé before reaching the base of the steep walls of the Cirque de Troumouse. The route then guides you out of the National Park towards the Néouvielle Nature Reserve . This magnificent region is characterized by its stunning scenery of glacial lakes and mountain pines . Passing through mountain passes and small peaks offering extraordinary panoramas , you can enjoy magnificent views of these unspoiled landscapes , including famous summits such as the Pic du Néouvielle (3091m) and its granite ridges plunging into Lake Aubert. Finally, crossing the beautiful Aure and Louron valleys , you will reach the equally splendid sites of Lake Oô and Lake Espingo, before arriving in Bagnères-de-Luchon , nicknamed the "Queen of the Pyrenees".
The highlights
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The magnificent GR10 trail will be the central theme of your adventure.
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Discovering the Néouvielle Nature Reserve and its countless mountain lakes
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The 3 great Pyrenean cirques: Gavarnie, Estaubé, Troumouse
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
The expert's opinion
Hikes on good trails, the terrain is varied but often rocky.
For experienced walkers in good physical condition who already have good experience hiking in the mountains.
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 7h
- Average distance/day: 18 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 1022 m
- Average daily descent: 1172 m
Management
French
English
Guided hike led by a qualified mountain guide specializing in the region.
Program
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From Gavarnie to the Maillet plateau
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 7h15
- Distance 18 km
- Positive elevation gain 1300 m
- Negative elevation 850 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Meet your guide at 8:00 AM in Gavarnie at the start of the hike. From Gavarnie, you'll climb towards the stunning viewpoint of the Hourquette d'Alans (2430m). You'll then be straddling the Cirque de Gavarnie and the Cirque d'Estaubé, which you'll enter. Amidst high-altitude meadows inhabited by friendly marmots and numerous flocks of sheep, you'll reach the Estaubé valley near the Lac des Gloriettes. From there, you'll ascend towards the Plateau du Maillet and the Cirque de Troumouse. Experience all three of the Pyrenees' great cirques in a single day!
Day 1 -
From the Maillet plateau to Piau Engaly
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 7h45
- Distance 20 km
- Positive elevation gain 1100 m
- Negative elevation 1100 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
From the Auberge du Maillet, you quickly reach the heart of the Cirque de Troumouse, which you cross via a vast high plateau. Then, following a path along the hillside, you arrive in the Héas Valley and reach the Hourquette pass of the same name. From there, the view is fantastic, particularly of Mont Perdu and its glacier. The hike continues downhill into the pleasant Badet Valley and ends further down, at the Piau Engaly ski resort.
Day 2 -
From Lake Orédon to the Oule refuge
- Transportation Minibus - 00h30 - 35km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h30
- Distance 15 km
- Positive elevation gain 1300 m
- Negative elevation 900 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
In the morning, transfer from Piau Engaly to Lake Orédon, the starting point of the hike (30 min). The day is dedicated to exploring the Néouvielle Nature Reserve and its surroundings. From Orédon, crossing beautiful mountain passes with magnificent views of the reserve will lead you to the Oule refuge. During this day, you will discover small and large glacial lakes with ever-changing reflections and crystal-clear waters.
Day 3 -
From the Oule de Bastan refuge to Saint-Lary-Soulan
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 7h
- Distance 18 km
- Positive elevation gain 500 m
- Negative elevation 1550 m
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
From the Oule refuge, you'll traverse the vast and pleasant pastures overlooking the immense lake of the same name. This will lead you to the Portet pass, a new star of the Tour de France. You'll then leave the Néouvielle Nature Reserve to begin a long descent via the ridges of Cap de Pède, offering beautiful, unobstructed views of the vast Aure valley and its high peaks. Further down, your destination, St. Lary Soulan, a charming and welcoming mountain village in the heart of the Pyrenees, will come into view.
Day 4 -
From Germ to the Espingo refuge
- Transportation Minibus - 00h30 - 26km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 7h45
- Distance 17 km
- Positive elevation gain 1650 m
- Negative elevation 1050 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Transfer from Saint Lary Soulan to Germ at the start of the hike. The hike begins in the charming village of Germ in the Louron Valley, where the daily life of the locals is dictated by the rhythms of agricultural and pastoral activities. Via the wild Val d'Aube, you will cross the Couret d'Esquierry pass to enter the Luchon region and reach the Astau barns. From there, a beautiful climb, a classic Pyrenean ascent, awaits. You will discover the famous Lake Oô and its impressive waterfall nestled in a verdant landscape before reaching the wilder Espingo site with its mountain refuge and lakes.
Day 5 -
From the Espingo refuge to Luchon
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 7h30
- Distance 20 km
- Positive elevation gain 650 m
- Negative elevation 1950 m
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 12 km
- Positive elevation gain 650 m
- Negative elevation 800 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After enjoying the first light of day on Lake Espingo and Lake Saussat, today's stage heads towards Luchon, first crossing the Hourquette des Hounts Secs pass and then the wide Coume de Bourg pass. The view then opens up towards the Maladeta massif and its retreating glaciers, as well as the numerous high peaks of the Luchon region, such as Crabioules, Lézat, and Quayrat. A long descent to Luchon follows, via the Superbagnères ski resort. For those who wish, there is the option of taking the ski resort's gondola lift to avoid a long descent (not included in the price) - activity 2.
Day 6 -
End of stay in Bagnères de Luchon
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Your stay ends after breakfast.
Day 7
Note
The programs were established based on the latest information available at the time of writing; however, unforeseen circumstances are always possible, and situations beyond our control may alter the itinerary. Our guides are the best judges on site and may modify the route depending on the weather or if the safety of the group requires it.
Accommodation
Access
Go to the starting point
Numerous TER trains depart from the main cities towards Lourdes, then buses from Lourdes to Gavarnie (Line 965)
Parking in Gavarnie:
Paid parking at the village entrance: €8/day
Parking in Luchon:
Free parking: behind the Post Office, at the cable car departure point, in front of the SNCF train station, Luchon exit.
Price details
The price includes
- Full board accommodation from picnic lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 7
- Luggage transport between accommodations except for 2 nights in mountain huts on days 3 and 5
- The transfers mentioned in the program
- Supervision by a BE AMM specialist in the region
The price does not include
- Transfers not included in the program
- The visits
- Drinks
- The Superbagnères cable car
Options
- Transfer between Bagnères de Luchon and Gavarnie by minibus : CHF82.33 / person
- 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 provided on site
- Walking sticks (on request)
Equipment to bring
- Your personal luggage: Only one piece of personal luggage per person is permitted. For logistical reasons, we ask that you limit the weight of your personal luggage to a maximum of 15kg and avoid rigid suitcases: our logistics team and transport partners have to load and unload dozens of these suitcases every day, sometimes involving many stairs. The transport company may charge you an additional fee at the end of the hike if your luggage is too heavy or too numerous.
- Hiking shoes
- Backpack
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Picnic kit
- Minimum 1.5 litre water bottle
- A sleeping bag sheet
- A pair of sneakers, or sandals for the evening
- A pair of telescopic poles (optional)
- A flashlight or headlamp
Clothing to bring
- A waterproof windproof jacket (Gore-Tex type)
- A fleece jacket or sweater
- Trousers for walking
- A short
- T-shirts (opt for breathable materials)
- Change of clothes
- Personal linen
- A swimsuit and a towel
- For the beginning and end of the season, bring thin gloves and a hat.
