• Adventure in the Pyrenees: Snowshoeing and an overnight stay in a mountain refuge
  • Adventure in the Pyrenees: Snowshoeing and an overnight stay in a mountain refuge
  • Adventure in the Pyrenees: Snowshoeing and an overnight stay in a mountain refuge
  • Adventure in the Pyrenees: Snowshoeing and an overnight stay in a mountain refuge
  • Adventure in the Pyrenees: Snowshoeing and an overnight stay in a mountain refuge
  • Adventure in the Pyrenees: Snowshoeing and an overnight stay in a mountain refuge
  • Adventure in the Pyrenees: Snowshoeing and an overnight stay in a mountain refuge
Pyrenees / Cauterets

Adventure in the Pyrenees: Snowshoeing and an overnight stay in a mountain refuge

4/5 (1 reviews)
Réf : AOCQXN

In summary

  • Sports
    Snowshoeing
  • Duration
    2 days
  • Level
    Advance

    Levels

    Snowshoeing
    Beginner
    For those wishing to walk for 3 to 4 hours with minimal elevation gain (max. 300m) along roads, tracks, or trails, or across rolling terrain. Suitable for everyone.
    Intermediate
    For those who wish to hike for 4 to 5 hours a day, covering an elevation gain of approximately 300 to 500 meters on trails. You hike occasionally and are in good physical condition.
    Confirmed
    For those wishing to hike for approximately 6 hours a day and/or cover an elevation gain of 500 to 800 meters, both on and off-trail. High-altitude sections are possible. You engage in sports activities 1 to 2 times a week, hike regularly, and are in very good physical condition.
    Advanced
    For those wishing to undertake multi-day hikes involving over 6 hours of walking and 1,000 meters of elevation gain, off-trail or on rugged terrain. High-altitude sections are possible. You engage in endurance sports 2 to 3 times a week, hike regularly, and are in excellent physical condition.
    Expert
    For those who want to hike intensely for 7 to 8 hours a day with over 1,000 meters of elevation gain off-trail or on rough terrain. High-altitude sections. You have been practicing high-intensity endurance sports several times a week for several years.
  • Destination
    Pyrenees / Cauterets
  • Age
    From 14 - 90 years
  • CO₂-Emissions
    6.46 kg CO2
  • Type of stay
    This group trip is perfect for travelers who want to experience a sporting adventure with other enthusiasts and be guided.
    Type of stay
    In a group
  • Languages
    French
    Spanish
    English

In a few words

This short break invites you to discover one of the most pristine winter landscapes, following a wild adventure far from the beaten track. You'll spend a night at the Russell refuge in Cauterets, at the foot of the Pic d'Ardiden, a place where you'll truly feel cut off from the world. Located above the Fruitière refuge, reaching this historic spot in the Lutour valley will require a bit of effort. You'll then need to gather firewood in the surrounding forest to light a fire, essential for keeping warm and cooking by the hearth. This first, somewhat demanding day will lead you to a unique place in a breathtaking setting .

The next day, you'll head towards the Culaus pass, which will give you the feeling of being at the end of the world. You'll explore a mountain range rarely visited in winter, in an exceptional atmosphere.


The highlights

  • A very wild site and a picture-postcard setting
  • An unguarded, relatively comfortable refuge
  • A convivial and delicious evening
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Photos

Sport

Level

Snowshoeing

Advance

Levels

Snowshoeing
Beginner
For those wishing to walk for 3 to 4 hours with minimal elevation gain (max. 300m) along roads, tracks, or trails, or across rolling terrain. Suitable for everyone.
Intermediate
For those who wish to hike for 4 to 5 hours a day, covering an elevation gain of approximately 300 to 500 meters on trails. You hike occasionally and are in good physical condition.
Confirmed
For those wishing to hike for approximately 6 hours a day and/or cover an elevation gain of 500 to 800 meters, both on and off-trail. High-altitude sections are possible. You engage in sports activities 1 to 2 times a week, hike regularly, and are in very good physical condition.
Advanced
For those wishing to undertake multi-day hikes involving over 6 hours of walking and 1,000 meters of elevation gain, off-trail or on rugged terrain. High-altitude sections are possible. You engage in endurance sports 2 to 3 times a week, hike regularly, and are in excellent physical condition.
Expert
For those who want to hike intensely for 7 to 8 hours a day with over 1,000 meters of elevation gain off-trail or on rough terrain. High-altitude sections. You have been practicing high-intensity endurance sports several times a week for several years.
For those wishing to undertake multi-day hikes involving over 6 hours of walking and 1,000 meters of elevation gain, off-trail or on rugged terrain. High-altitude sections are possible. You engage in endurance sports 2 to 3 times a week, hike regularly, and are in excellent physical condition.

The expert's opinion

A technical approach across varied terrain, exposed sections requiring skill, then the arrival at magnificent summits for a reward commensurate with the commitment.


Features :

For experienced hikers; familiarity with mountain terrain is required.

Elevation gain: 1100 to 1600m

Duration: 6 to 8 hours of walking

Terrain: steep slopes without tracks, definite isolation during the hike.

Physical condition: Very good physical condition, regular training

In figures

Snowshoes

  • Average duration/day: 6h
  • Average distance/day: 7 km
  • Average daily elevation gain: 700 m
  • Average daily descent: 700 m

Management

During this stay, a supervisor will be present to guide and assist you.
Band : 1 supervisor for 4 to 8 people
Languages ​​spoken:
French
Spanish
English
Acumpanyateur

A specialist guide in the field, who knows the classics and variations like the back of his hand!


With the added advantage of being able to provide you with a wealth of information on the fauna, flora, and history of the valleys like you couldn't find anywhere else!

You will be guided by a state-certified mountain guide from the Acumpanyat Experiences team: it is first and foremost a group of friends, united in their profession as in life, who share a common ambition: that the moments spent up there be a source of small and great happiness, laughter and well-being, simplicity… Acumpanyat is a certain approach to the mountains, through the Human above all, where beyond the walk there is the encounter, in the noble sense of the term.

Management

Security

Our team of guides knows the area perfectly, avalanche safety concepts will be presented to you and you will be equipped with avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe.
Learn more about supervision

Program

Day 1
Day 2

  • Ascent to the refuge

    • Activity Snowshoes
    • Duration of the activity 5h
    • Distance 6 km
    • Positive elevation gain 800 m
    • Accommodation Refuge
    • Breakfast not included
    • Lunch not included
    • Dinner included

    A beautiful snowshoe hike, with 800m of elevation gain, to reach the Russell refuge site. Depending on the time, a short snowshoe walk or snow-related workshops (avalanche transceiver use, igloo building, etc.).

    Barbecue evening and convivial meal in the cabin with a wood fire, to be collected beforehand!

    Night in the cabin.

    Day 1

Note

The program may be modified without notice by the guide depending on the conditions encountered during the stay: weather, snow conditions, group fitness, may influence the chosen itinerary.

Accommodation

🏔️ Mountain refuge - Day 1
  • 🏔️ Mountain refuge - Day 1
  • 🏔️ Mountain refuge - Day 1
🏔️ Mountain refuge - Day 1

You will sleep in the Russel refuge-cabin: it is an unguarded refuge. It has a fireplace and a dormitory with mattresses and blankets.

Access

Departure
Local Acumpanyat Expériences à Cauterets
Day 1 : 09h00
End of stay
Local Acumpanyat Expériences à Cauterets
Day 2 - 17h00

We organize carpooling between our premises and the start of the hike.

Go to the starting point

Access by train
Take the train toLourdes

Train to Tarbes then Lourdes.

Then bus from Lourdes to Cauterets.

Bus information and timetables, line 965 to Cauterets: https://www.lio-occitanie.fr/

Once in Cauterets, the premises are a 5-minute walk from the bus station.


Access by plane
The nearest airport isTarbes- Lourdes

Then bus from Lourdes to Cauterets.

Bus information and timetables, line 965 to Cauterets: https://www.lio-occitanie.fr/

Once in Cauterets, the premises are a 5-minute walk from the bus station.

Access by car
Travel to the place of stay with parking available

Located in the city centre, the covered municipal parking lot has 140 spaces.

During school holidays, it is advisable to book your pitch by phone at 05 62 92 50 34

HOURLY RATES: 1 hour = €2

SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Weekend Pass: €50.00 - 4-day/week Pass: €75.00 - 7-day Pass: €125.00


There is free parking in Cauterets (at the entrance to the village), but it's difficult to find a space. If you're only coming for the stay, it's easier to stay in the valley (Argelès-Gazsot or Pierrefitte-Nestalas), where there is free parking. Carpooling is then possible from Pierrefitte-Nestalas/Soulom to Cauterets, and the guide might have some seats available in their vehicle.


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Price details

The price includes

  1. One night in a mountain refuge
  2. dinner on day 1
  3. Professional liability insurance,
  4. Supervision by a state-certified mountain guide
  5. Loan of avalanche rescue equipment

The price does not include

  1. Personal equipment
  2. Lunch
  3. Breakfast
  4. Snowshoe rental
  5. Transportation to the starting point of the hike (available upon request)

Options

You will be able to select these options when booking.
  1. Snowshoe rental : CHF14.64 / unit
  2. Snowshoe rental : CHF18.30 / unit
  3. 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

  1. DVA
  2. Shovel
  3. Probe

Equipment to bring

  1. 1 backpack of approximately 50L ( possibility of loan )
  2. 1 waterproof bag
  3. 1 water bottle of at least 1.5 L
  4. 1 small thermos
  5. Sunglasses
  6. Sunscreen
  7. 1 sleeping bag, comfort temperature 5°C ( available for loan )
  8. 1 small toiletry kit
  9. 1 small personal first-aid kit + toilet paper
  10. 1 headlamp ( available for loan )
  11. High-top hiking boots that are warm and waterproof
  12. Snowshoes and poles

Clothing to bring

  1. 2 long-sleeved t-shirts.
  2. 2 thin long-sleeved fleece jackets
  3. 1 warm and thick garment (sweater, thick fleece, down jacket…)
  4. 1 waterproof jacket
  5. 1 pair of waterproof mountain trousers
  6. 1 pair of comfortable trousers for the evening
  7. 1 pair of socks + 2 spare pairs
  8. 1 beanie
  9. 1 pair of waterproof gloves + 1 spare pair of gloves


They traveled with us

Discover the authentic experiences of our travelers
4/5
(1 reviews)
At Decathlon, the reviews are reliable.
Reviews displayed in reverse chronological order
A

Ana

february 2025
Published on 02/03/2025

They traveled with us

Discover the authentic experiences of our travelers
4/5
(1 reviews)
At Decathlon, the reviews are reliable.
Reviews displayed in reverse chronological order
A

Ana

february 2025
Published on 02/03/2025
The Elodie team
Decathlon Travel Partner

The Elodie team

4.8/5 (31 reviews) • 28 stays
Based in Cauterets, in the heart of the Hautes-Pyrénées, this agency is run by a team of passionate individuals who share their love of the mountains in a friendly atmosphere. Their expert guides take you off the beaten track to explore a unique natural and historical heritage. More than just a hike, each outing is a special moment to share while enjoying breathtaking panoramas.
Discover their team and their trips
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