Is it possible to hike in the Cauterets valley all year round?

Yes, you can go hiking in the Cauterets valley all year round. In winter, some hikes are accessible with adapted equipment, while in summer, the trails offer a wide variety of routes. However, some areas may be more difficult to access due to snow or weather conditions. It is therefore advisable to check local conditions before setting off.

What kind of animals can you see in the Cauterets valley?

In the Cauterets valley, you can see isards , marmots , ibex and otters . Wolves are also present, albeit more discreetly. The region is also home to bearded vultures, golden eagles and Egyptian vultures…

What are the best things to do in the Cauterets valley?

In the Cauterets valley, you can enjoy a wide range of activities, depending on the season. In summer, hiking is a must, with a variety of trails, including to Lac de Gaube and the Pont d’Espagne . Nature lovers will also enjoy spotting the local wildlife, such as marmots and isards . In winter, snow activities dominate, with skiing , snowshoeing or snowboarding at the resort of Cauterets . You can also explore the Pyrenees National Park , visit the Wildlife Park , or enjoy a relaxing break at the thermal baths .

Elegance, nature and well-being in the high mountains

Destination Cauterets

Elegant and invigorating, Cauterets combines the timeless charm of a spa town with the power of untamed nature. Between its avenues lined with Belle Époque facades and its roaring torrents, the resort vibrates to the rhythm of the seasons. Here, every breath of air is a call to escape: hikes to high-altitude lakes, enveloping baths in the hot springs, suspended moments facing the summits. A perfect balance between refinement and adventure.

nature

Unspoilt nature

within walking distance

The Pont d’Espagne

A magnificent and accessible site

The jewel in the crown of the Pyrenees National Park, the Pont d’Espagne is a wild symphony of water. Leaping torrents, raging waterfalls, mist glistening in the sunlight… Here, every drop shapes the landscape, every echo a call to travel.

Easily accessible by car and gondola, this emblematic site is the ideal stage for an immediate immersion in the high mountains, without excessive effort.

Walk to Lac de Gaube

1h walk from the Pont d’Espagne via the GR10
Chairlift option for a gentler walk
Exceptional views of the Vignemale, the highest peak in the French Pyrenees

Hiking at the Pont d'Espagne

walks

Walks for all abilities

From contemplative walks to challenging climbs, Cauterets has a vast network of trails to suit all tastes. Waterfalls, pine forests, high-altitude lakes and breathtaking panoramas are all part of the itinerary.

©
Lake Gaube, Cauterets
|
François Laurens

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Dog walks around the village of Cauterets ©Cauterets Tourist Office
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Fournou Alexandre

Easy, panoramic walks

Lac de Gaube: An enchanting walk with a breathtaking view of the local giant: the Vignemale massif.
Tour of the Cayan plateau: A bucolic loop through forests and streams, perfect for families.
Lac d’Ilhéou: A path suspended above the valley, revealing breathtaking scenery before reaching this deep blue lake.

Sporty hikes and climbs

The Cambalès and Opale lakes: A breathtakingly beautiful mineral immersion.
Le Petit Vignemale (3,032 m): A climb to an iconic summit.
Pic d’Ardiden (2,988 m): A plunging view over the valley, the ultimate reward after the effort.

Find out more about hiking in Cauterets

character

A town with character

with Belle Époque charm

In Cauterets, history can be seen in every street. Behind the sculpted facades and wrought-iron balconies, you can make out the bustle of yesteryear: that of the spa-goers in elegant toilettes, who came to enjoy the benefits of the sulphurous waters. Even today, the Belle soul of the XIXᵉ century floats over the town, between lively cafés, plush hotels and historic thermal baths.

Don’t miss:

The old railway station: a Western-style building that bears witness to the days when Cauterets welcomed trains from Paris.
The Continental residence and its sculpted caryatids.
The Grand Hôtel d’Angleterre and its 60 wrought-iron balconies.
César’s thermal baths, a jewel in the crown of Cauterets’ spa heritage.
Notre-Dame church and its surprising architecture.

Discover the town in a different way? Guided tours are available from the Tourist Office to delve into the fascinating history of the spa town.

well-being

Relaxation and well-being

A relaxing interlude

The Bains du Rocher

After the effort, the comfort… In the hot water of the Bains du Rocher, let the massaging jets relax your muscles while the steam of the hammam wraps your mind in a gentle torpor. A suspended interlude, to the rhythm of the bubbles and the mountain peaks in the background.

Experiences to try out: outdoor bath with mountain views, essential oil massages, wellness treatments and treatments based on natural products…

Diving in the Bains du Rocher

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Relaxing in the outdoor pools at the Bains du Rocher

flavours

The flavours of the valley

A gourmet region

In Cauterets, discoveries can also be made on the plate. After a day in the mountains, it’s time to savour the flavours of Bigorre: a steaming garbure to warm up, a mature sheep’s cheese to enjoy with a glass of Madiran, or a sweet berlingot, a nod to the town’s spa history.

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Tasting of local Pyrenean cheese, Barousse

Specialities not to be missed :

Berlingots de Cauterets: Created to sweeten the taste of sulphurous waters, they have become a sweet icon of the town.
Barèges-Gavarnie PDO mutton: A meat with a refined flavour, typical of the region.
Garbure: A generous soup made with vegetables and duck confit.
Ewe’s milk cheeses: Perfect with a Madiran or Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh.

Specialities not to be missed :

Berlingots de Cauterets: Created to sweeten the taste of sulphurous waters, they have become a sweet icon of the town.
Barèges-Gavarnie PDO mutton: A meat with a refined flavour, typical of the region.
Garbure: A generous soup made with vegetables and duck confit.
Ewe’s milk cheeses: Perfect with a Madiran or Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh.

Focus on...

Focus on the Vignemale

The legendary summit of the French Pyrenees (3,298 m)

In 1836, adventurer Anne Lister made history by becoming the first person to reach the summit of the Vignemale. A few decades later, Count Henry Russell made it his favourite mountain, sleeping in caves carved out of the rock.

Why is it so iconic?

The highest peak in the French Pyrenees.
Its spectacular north face challenges climbers.
It overlooks the Ossoue glacier, a witness to the great ice ages.

©
Vignemale, Cauterets
|
François Laurens

Around

Around Cauterets

Explore the valley differently

The green route from Pierrefitte to Cauterets

Follow the old tramway line, transformed into a 10km greenway linking Pierrefitte-Nestalas to Cauterets. Between gorges and forests, it’s a perfect walk or cycle ride, with a gentle gradient ideal for all the family.

Looking for a longer adventure?

The Voie Verte des Gaves runs for a further 18km from Lourdes to Pierrefitte.

Looking for activities in Cauterets?

Cauterets offers a multitude of activities to help you make the most of nature. White water sports, via ferrata, mountain biking, hiking or horse riding, all in a wild and unspoilt natural setting.

After the adventure, it’s time to relax and discover the local area. Thermal baths, spas, gourmet specialities and local produce await you to prolong the experience in a different way.

All activities around Cauterets

stays

Our holidays in Cauterets

Your summer holidays

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Your winter holidays

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