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On the Courade plateau in the Cirque de Gavarnie ©HPTE - Pierre Meyer
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HPTE - Pierre Meyer

The Gavarnie valley

stone colossi and exceptional panoramas

Welcome to the Gavarnie valley, aUNESCO-listed site where nature is nothing short of spectacular. Three glacial cirques dominate the landscape: Gavarnie, Estaubé and Troumouse. High altitude lakes, panoramic passes and dizzying waterfalls create a breathtaking backdrop. Here, hiking leads to the summits, climbing defies the cliffs and cycling follows mythical routes. Between nature and pastoral traditions, the valley can be discovered to the rhythm of the seasons.

valley

A valley shaped by time

Three glacial cirques, three worlds to explore

Gavarnie, Estaubé and Troumouse reveal the majestic heritage of the glaciers: leaping waterfalls, high altitude lakes and vast pastures where the bells of the herds ring out.

Cirque de Gavarnie: Accessible on foot or by donkey, a wide track leads to the cirque hotel. From here, a path leads to the highest waterfall in France (423 m), a breathtaking curtain of water.

Cirque d’Estaubé: A lesser-known area, this is well worth a visit after a hike from the Hourquette d’Alans or the Lac des Gloriettes. A peaceful haven with a bucolic atmosphere and unspoilt wildlife.

Cirque de Troumouse: The largest of the three! This mineral amphitheatre opens out onto a breathtaking view where the chapel of Héas, guardian of the mountain pastures, sits enthroned. You can reach it by car or mini-train, or by bike for the more adventurous.

The Col des Tentes

Gateway to high altitude adventure

Perched at an altitude of 2,208 metres, the Col des Tentes is a strategic departure point for explorers in search of summits and infinite horizons. Accessible by car from Gavarnie.

An interpretation trail takes you up to the Col de Boucharo, offering exceptional views overAragon . Ideal for families and people with reduced mobility.

For the more experienced, crossing the Brèche de Roland (2,807 m), a legendary 40-metre-high gash in the rock, means entering the wild landscapes of the Ordesa and Mont-Perdu National Parks, which are also UNESCO World Heritage sites.

hiking

A land of hiking and exploration

The trails in the Gavarnie valley offer an infinite number of itineraries for all levels.

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Walk on the main path of the Cirque de Gavarnie ©Agence Touristique des Vallées de Gavarnie
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Agence Touristique des Vallées de Gavarnie

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Transhumance in the Pyrenees at Lac de la Bernatoire ©Anthony Bonal
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Anthony Bonal

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Le cirque d'Estaubé Gavarnie Lac Des Gloriettes At Vallees De Gavarnie Pierre Meyer

Lac de la Bernatoire (2,332 m): at the heart of an age-old transhumance between France and Spain, this high-altitude lake marks the natural border between the two countries. A 2? hour walk from the Ossoue dam.

Chemin des cascades (waterfall path): from the village of Gavarnie, this gentle walk leads to the cirque hotel.

Hourquette d’Alans (2,430 m): a wild traverse linking Gavarnie to the Estaubé cirque.

Pic de la Munia (3,133 m): one of the highest peaks in the Pyrenees, accessible to experienced hikers.

Find out more about hiking in Gavarnie

outdoor

Outdoor activities

adrenalin and thrills

Much more than a paradise for hikers, the Gavarnie valley lends itself to every kind of daring.

Climbing and via ferrata

At the heart of the chaos of Coumély, a via ferrata winds along the side of the cliff, with a vertiginous monkey bridge.

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Roadtrip by car to the Cirque de Troumouse, near Gavarnie
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HPTE - Eric Martin Le Figaro Mag

Cycling legends

The routes over the Col des Tentes (2,207 m) and the Cirque de Troumouse (2,092 m) promise mythical climbs for road bike enthusiasts.

Canyoning

Between waterfalls and natural slides, plunge into the white water of the valley’s canyons.

What to do

A living land

pastoralism and tradition

As well as its remarkable landscapes, the Gavarnie valley is an area where Pyrenean history and culture are omnipresent.

The huge hydroelectric power stationin Pragnères

A fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how the power of the Pyrenees’ torrents is used to generate energy.

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Shepherd and his flock in Gavarnie
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HPTE - Pierre Meyer

Pastoral celebrationsand transhumance

Every summer, an age-old ritual is repeated at Lac de la Bernatoire. When the grass runs out on the Spanish side, farmers from the Broto valley cross the pass with their herds, perpetuating an age-old tradition.

This cross-border crossing, guaranteed by ancient “lies and passeries” pacts, still unites shepherds from both sides of the Pyrenees today.

MILLARIS - CENTRE D'INTERPRETATION ET DE DECOUVERTE

Ce musée offre un panorama du territoire de Gavarnie-Gèdre. Survolez les Cirques majestueux de Gavarnie, Troumouse, Estaubé et leurs sommets mythiques au travers d'une maquette...

Holidays

Your holidays in Gavarnie

Our summer holidays

On the path of vertigo

A dazzling itinerary through the Pyrenees

from981 €per person

Memories up for grabs

Multi-activity family break in the Grands Sites

from1760 €per family

Family Trip

Adventure and discovery road trip in the Pyrenees

from3569 €per family

See all summer holidays

Focus on...

The Cirque de Gavarnie

The nature colosseum

Victor Hugo described it as follows:

It is the most mysterious building by the most mysterious of architects.

And how can you fail to be struck by this wall of rock 1,700 m high, pierced by waterfalls and shaped over the millennia? Here, everything is out of the ordinary: the scale of the landscape, the echo of the cliffs, the light that plays with the relief. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on both natural and cultural grounds, this legendary setting leaves an indelible mark on the souls of those who contemplate it.

Find out more about the Cirque de Gavarnie

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Hiking on the main path leading to the Cirque de Gavarnie ©Agence Touristique des Vallées de Gavarnie
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Agence Touristique des Vallées de Gavarnie

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