Just 41 kilometers as the crow flies from Tarbes, and barely further by road, Cauterets is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful destinations for a breath of fresh air in the Pyrenees and for a day or a weekend, enjoying the many options for those who love the great outdoors. In particular, Le Pont d'Espagne, located in the Pyrenees National Park, is a prime starting point for heading to Lake Gaube, taking the GR10 hiking trail, or exploring the Marcadau Valley. An ancient pastoral route that enabled trade and commerce with Spain, it opens onto a valley rich in waterfalls, lakes, and landscapes. A superb site for anyone who enjoys hiking in the Pyrenees. And enjoy the Bains du Rocher to relax after your hike.
Gaube Lake and its Valley
Less than an hour's walk along the GR10 through pine trees, or just a few minutes by chairlift, is all it takes to get from Pont d'Espagne to the Gaube Valley, just 7 km from Cauterets. Discover a postcard-perfect view that will amaze you. Imagine Gaube Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes in the Pyrenees, with its 40-meter-deep blue, nestled at the bottom of a steep valley with the north face of Vignemale as a backdrop, towering over the French Pyrenees at an altitude of 3,298 meters.
Many suggestions for walks and hikes in the Pyrenees
From the La Fruitière site, a few minutes south of Cauterets, there are a multitude of hikes, including a two-hour hike to Lac d'Estom, for example. Or leave from Pont d'Espagne towards the Cayan Plateau for a 2.5-hour walk between the Gave and pine forests to reach the Marcadau refuge in a valley wide open to a landscape of ridges crossed by the Gave. And why not continue on the Route d'Espagne to the Wallon refuge?
Via Ferrata, climbing, and rafting
Cauterets also offers a different way to discover the Pyrenees. On the mountainside, with the Via Ferrata at the Alias Adventure Park, you can explore over a kilometer of cascading zip lines. And take an unlikely break with your feet dangling above the Cauterets Valley for a suspended picnic. Cauterets also offers climbing enthusiasts and beginners alike the chance to indulge in a climbing wall on the pediment located behind the Bains du Rocher (rock baths) and the climbing rocks at Pont d'Espagne. And for those who aren't afraid to take the plunge, the Gaves Valley offers rafting, canoeing, or kayaking to explore the valley with breathtaking views. Not to mention mountain biking with a 1,500-meter elevation gain starting from the Cirque du Lys and exploring the landscape from a paraglider.
Accommodation in Cauterets
There are many accommodation options in Cauterets. Hotels are the first choice, with a wide range of options suited to a location that welcomes tourists all year round. We're thinking of the Lion d'Or in the city center. A location that allows you to enjoy the city after spending the day in the mountains. Or Le Pas de l'Ours located at the exit of Cauterets towards La Raillère. There are also many guesthouses like this apartment at the foot of the mountain. For those who really want some fresh air to make up for the 2 months of confinement, there is the Camping Cabaliros which offers camping, mobile home and chalet options.
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