LAVEDAN VALLEYS & VILLAGES
Hotel-to-Hotel Trek : from Lourdes to Gavarnie
Explore the charming valleys and villages of the Lavedan. Discover the cultural richness and historical significance of the region while enjoying its scenic landscapes.
Tour details
Walk between B&Bs and hotels through dramatic scenery with comfortable beds and gourmet food each night. We transfer your bags so you walk only with day packs along with providing a personal briefing, marked maps and notes (full of historical and geographical points of interest), and all the support you require along the way.
The valleys you pass through present a fascinating complexity of twists and turns, tumbling streams, flat glaciated valley bottoms and high peaks. The views are superb and the landscape changes constantly as you move: from sparse mountain tops above the tree line to wild and steep river valleys lined with pines and beech, and on down to the level of human habitation where you will find attractive small stone built farming villages typical of this part of the Pyrenees.
Covering a large part of the old province of Lavedan the walk follows parts of an old high route back into France from Santiago de Compostella in Spain over the Pyrenees. The passes of the Central Pyrenees are often snow covered at the beginning of summer when pilgrims set out for their grand adventure to Santiago, but by the end of summer pilgrims often passed through these valleys on their way home, converging on the monastery in St Savin where you will stay.
We’ve chosen a route challenging enough for strong walkers and flexible enough for those who like shorter days. Walks can often be varied from four to seven hours depending on the routes chosen. There are three levels: challenging, moderate and gentle.
Budget
990€ (5 nights) - 1310€ (7 nights) per person
1595€ (10 nights) - 1795€ (13 nights) per person
This price includes :
- accommodation in B&B, 2* and 3* hotels
- marked maps and walking notes each day
- general assistance during your stay
- half board (breakfast & dinner)
- pick-up at Lourdes station and transfer to Ouzous
- full briefing
Options :
- pick-up at Lourdes station (€80 - up to 4 people)
Extras :
- shuttle buses (Pont d'Espagne & Gavarnie)
Itinerary
Day 1
Visit Lourdes, a pilgrimage town. From the garish religious paraphernalia to the quiet calm of the sanctuaries themselves, the town is full of colours and contrasts. We drive you to your lovely B&B in Ouzous (573m). You then have a short walk to dinner in the next village at the very special Auberge du Bergons.
Day 2
You head into the Pibeste Nature Reserve, home to 25 species of predatory birds, isards, mouflons and numerous Mediterranean plants which happily make their home on the south facing slopes of the Pic du Pibeste (1349m). The peak is a great vantage point, looking over the plain to the north and the mountainous Lavedan province to the south. More challenging and more gentle options are possible. Ascent/Descent: 775m, ~10kms.
Day 3
Follow one of the paths of the Way of St James leaving the limestone massif of the Pibeste behind you. The landscape is complex, largely agricultural, and utterly charming, giving you a sense of how life may have been here hundreds of years ago. It is an interesting route for those who enjoy looking at village architecture and life and you pass through or near a number of very typical Lavedan villages with their substantial houses and agricultural outbuildings, well organised for self sufficient living. Ascent/Descent: 500m (Mont de Gez)/150m (Les Gerbes), ~15kms.
Day 4
From St Savin (575m) you head up through the tiny village of Uz to the Pouey-Aspé plateau (956m). You then descend through the forest almost into the village of Pierrefitte. You will quickly realise you are leaving the foothills, and the transition from the gently rolling hills to the steep slopes of the Cauterets valley is dramatic. Shorter walking options with a bus to Cauterets are possible, as is the possibility of riding in the car with the luggage and then taking advantage of Cauterets’ spa facilities offering thermal water swimming and treatments. Ascent/Descent: 925m/400m, ~12kms.
Day 5
Cauterets and the surrounding valleys are too good to leave after just one night! Above the town the spectacular Pont d’Espagne (1500m) gives access to the Gaube and Marcadau Valleys, famous for their walking. There is a pretty walk over granite slabs and through pine trees to the very blue Lac de Gaube (1700m). Ascent/Descent: variable with multiple options.
Day 6
Follow the zig-zagging GR10 path. The route climbs out of the back of Cauterets up to the Col de Riou with its lovely view. You then descend through the ski station of Luz Ardiden and down the mountain eastwards into Luz. There are alternative routes for the descent but from all paths you have huge views over Luz St Sauveur and the Barèges Valley. Ascent: 950m, Descent: 350-1250m, ~10-15kms.
Day 7
Gavarnie and its impressive Grand Cascade, a continuous drop of 423m are spectacular. The balcony paths we suggest are far less travelled than the main valley path, even in the height of summer. Outside July and August you can almost feel you have this marvel of nature to yourself. If you would like a rest from walking it is possible to take in the full view of the cirque from the terrace of one of the many cafés, or simply have a gentle stroll up to a grassy meadow for a picnic. Ascent/Descent: 650m, option + 200m extra to the foot of the waterfall, ~11kms.
Day 8
Either catch the bus from Luz to Lourdes or steal a last walk and head up the valley to another thermal village, Barèges via the GR10. Here you will really see how 2000 years of animal grazing has sculpted the landscape and created the mosaic pastoral landscape of the Pyrenees. Ascent: 550m, ~10kms.