GR10 HIGH PYRENEES 2 : GAVARNIE - NEOUVIELLE
Two fabulous weeks on the GR10 (and a few excellent detours) in the Hautes Pyrenees. Marcadau, Cauterets, Gavarnie and the Néouvielle Lakes
Enjoy exploring the stunning a the central portion of the French trans-Pyrenean long distance hiking trail, the GR10. From Arrens Marsous, to the Neouvielle Nature Reserve through Cauterets, Gavarnie and Luz St Sauveur over two magical weeks. Discover the majestic landscapes, rich biodiversity and cultural-pastoral heritage of the Pyrenees National Park and the neighbouring Néouvielle Nature Reserve. Enjoy an unforgettable adventure in the heart of the Pyrenees.
Tour details
This is the second week of our incredible hiking journey using the GR10 as the backbone, adding spectacular extras where we see fit ! Our aim is to provide you with everything you need for a rewarding and manageable trek - stages that have been well tested by us, not super fit 25 year old aspiring mountain guides ! You'll be immersed in breathtaking scenery, enjoy some challenging ascents, and come across a remarkable variety of Pyrenean flora and fauna. Due to the challenging nature of the hiking we offer two routes for this week, both wonderful and both giving you the full range of the Néouvielle scenery. We've thought long and hard about both routes to give you a great trek either way. The aim is always for you to enjoy yourself, something that does not happen if the route is too difficult. Contact us to discuss what will be best for you.
Budget
950€ per person
This price includes:
- Seven nights full board accommodation in gites, refuges and hotels.
- Luggage storage for extras you don't need while trekking.
- Marked maps and walk notes for each day (a bit of history and geography so you know what you are looking at as you walk through)
- GPS tracks on your smartphone
- General and emergency assistance during your trek
- Transport to the start of your trek, or back from the end depending on which week you are doing. Full briefing from us at the start to make sure you are ready to go.
Itinerary Week 2
Day 1
Collection from Lourdes train station and transfer to Gavarnie village and your hotel there. Full briefing to go through maps, GPS tracking, weather and snow details, last minute gear questions etc. If you arrive sufficiently early you can enjoy a walk into the cirque.
Day 2
You leave Gavarnie, heading north on the GR10 up to the Saugué Plateau and onto a higher plateau again for spectacular views into the Troumouse and Estaubé Cirques before a lovely descent through the Bué forest. Option of the bus to Luz from Pragnères at the end of the day, or we collect you.
Day 3
From Luz to Barèges on the GR10 via one of the variants depending on your preference (and perhaps the weather). Villages or high pastures. Both options are lovely walks and the "official" GR10 tends to swap back and forward between the two depending on forestry works and other natural events. One is longer than the other so gives you options on the day.
Day 4
The remainder of the tour has options depending on how difficult you'd like the next three days of walking to be. Either a lovely walk from Barèges to the new Aygues Cluses Refuge, or a transfer slightly higher up the mountain and over to Campana de Cloutou. This second option has 1220 m of ascent, so is not for everyone. The choice of today's route determines the two days to come.
Day 5
Both options today have you finishing at the Oredon Refuge, but starting from different places and taking different routes, again one is more challenging than the other, giving you choices about how you see this wonderful area.
Day 7
Depending on where you've slept last night you'll either have a walk back to Tournaboup from Campan via the Aygues Cluses Refuge, or have the option of climbing the Turon de Néouvielle peak (3035m) or doing a tour of the high lakes above the Glère Refuge. A lovely way to finish in all cases.
Day 6
From Oredon both today's options are relatively challenging, but the one on the less difficult route can be made easier with a taxi option which allows you to take in the most glorious section of the trail, finishing at Campana de Cloutou. Those on the more difficult route have a great day over to Refuge Glère.
Day 8
Departure from Luz St Sauveur by bus to Lourdes or taxi, depending on your onward transport.