The 10 most beautiful hikes to do in the Pyrenees National Park

Want to escape? Discover the most beautiful hikes in the Pyrenees National Park!

Visit the most visited National Park in France! On the programme, 45,707 hectares of breathtaking landscapes. From the vertiginous height of the snowy summits to the crystalline beauty of the lakes, to the pastoral traditions that color pastures...

You will find all the soul of the country. Without further delay, discover the 10 best hikes in the Pyrenees National Park.

Note : As in all French National Parks, hiking is regulated. So remember:

• only bivouac is allowed, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and more than one hour from the park’s limits or road access;
• dogs are not allowed on a part of the park;
• no fire;
• picking, hunting and fishing are prohibited.

1. The circus Gavarnie (first discovery)

Let us start by discovering one of the most emblematic landscapes of the Pyrenees: the Gavarnie circus. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is an exceptional natural site that must not be missed! The “first discovery” loop allows you to start smoothly, which does not prevent you from taking full eyes.

The hike starts with the crossing of the village of Gavarnie. You then go along the Gavarnie watershed on the right bank until you reach the panorama on the circus. The view is exceptional: the rocky walls reach 1,500 meters high and are crossed by countless waterfalls... Then you return to your steps by going to the left bank of the gave.

2. Lakes of Ayous

The lakes of Ayous are among the most beautiful and intriguing landscapes in the region. They're swimming the Ossau valley , in the Bearn, at 2,000 meters above sea level. This hike in the Pyrenees National Park allows you to discover them while enjoying majestic views of the valley. Some passages are quite steep, but it is possible to avoid the most difficult sections.

The Ayous lake hike makes you discover Lake Bious-Artigues, Lake Roumassot and Lake Castérau. You will also pass through the pass that separates the Pic de Bielle and that of Castérau, then through the pass of the Monks. The trails are frequented, but wild. On the backdrop you enjoy a superb view of the valley and the emblematic peak of the Midi d’Ossau.

3. The path of the Mâture

Driven in a cliff by bagnards in the 17th century, the Mâture Road is one of the most famous hikes in the Pyrenees National Park. It forms a gutter of four meters wide over four meters high, overlooking the gorges of Hell of 200 meters!

If the landscape is grandiose, the path is not recommended to those suffering from vertigo...

4. Lake Gaube (by the Pont d’Espagne)

This hike in the Pyrenees National Park allows you to explore Gaube Lake and its enchanting turquoise waters. Surrounded by peaks at 2,500 metres above sea level, it offers one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Pyrenees. The trail mixes forests, waterfalls and pastures.

First you pass by the famous Pont d’Espagne before you take a forest trail. Your path meets several torrents and cascades. You then bypass the small Huats lake before you reach the Cauterets valley. Gaube Lake then stretches in front of you. A breathtaking vision.

5. The reserve Neural (holiday of twenty lakes)

Let's go to serious things: the Neouvielle massif is renowned for being difficult to reach! However, if the first day is rather busy, the difficulty will balance later. In any case, the game is worth the candle. The landscapes are breathtaking! This hike makes you discover twenty lakes, surrounded by vertiginous views. Not to mention the rich biodiversity of the Neouvielle reserve. Wait till you cross marmots, raptors and isards!

On the first day you will learn from Barèges (good to know: the town houses the thermal baths) to the pass of the Tourmalet. You can sleep at the Bastan refuge, perched at 2,230 meters above sea level. On the second day, you continue your journey to the Oredon refuge. Finally, on the last day, the discovery of the lakes continues, then the loop ends.

6. The path of cascades

Here is a beautiful hike in the Pyrenees National Park, which allows you to discover the waterfalls of the Val de Jeret. The trails are wild and bucolic. In addition to being easy to browse, they are shaded on the majority of the course. A beautiful discovery of the Pyrenees, smoothly.

Go from Cauterets and follow the waterfall path, very well marked. He's taking you to six waterfalls. The hike ends at the Pont d’Espagne.

7. The Pic du Midi d’Ossau (the great tower)

The large tower of the Pic du Midi d’Ossau offers a beautiful diversity of landscapes. The views of the Ayous lakes are magnificent. This hike in the Pyrenees National Park is divided into three stages, the second of which is the most difficult. However, it is possible to do it in the family by extending it over more days.

During the first stage (1/2 day), you walk along the Bious gavel before reaching several lakes. After a night at the Ayous refuge, you start the second stage (1 day). It takes you to Lake Bersau, then to the Peyreget pass before finishing at the Pombie refuge. Finally, during the third stage (1/2 day), you pass through the Suzon Pass and the Magnabaigt Long Pass before returning to the Bious-Artigue Lake.

8. The Taillon and the Brèche of Roland

The setting of this hike in the Pyrenees National Park is also the Gavarnie circus. However, it goes further by taking you to the Taillon peak and to the Brèche de Roland. Landscapes that seem straight to come from another planet... However, to admire their lunar beauty, you will need a very good physical condition!

You start the adventure at the Pass des Tentes. Admire the exceptional panorama on the Gavarnie circus, then engage on the demanding trail leading you to the Brèche de Roland. After one night at the shelter, you arrive on the spot. North and south, the view is amazing. Then you get to the Taillon glacier, which peaks 3,144 meters above sea level!

9. La Pique Longue du Vignemale

A bit of mountaineering on the Vignemale Long Slope. If this course requires mountaineering equipment, it does not present any technical difficulties. It leads you through the highest point of the French Pyrenees and leads to an extraordinary panorama.

The hike starts at the Ossoue Dam. Take the GR 10, which leads you to the famous caves of Bellevue. Then turn to the glacier. This is where you will have to climb. Don’t forget your crampons! The reward: a wide view of the Gaube valley, the Gavarnie circus and the Balaitous peak.

10. Kakuetta's throats

Kakuetta Gorges offer a particularly wild spectacle. Between the high cliffs, caves, tunnels, lakes and waterfalls... Gorges sometimes take tropical forest air! Prepare yourself for an unforgettable moment. In addition, you can easily start with your family in this hike in the Pyrenees National Park. But still take care of the slippery ground!