Walks and Hikes in the Hautes-Pyrénées
With peaks rising above 3,000 meters, lakes, waterfalls, and breathtakingly beautiful natural cirques, the Pyrenees National Park offers more than 350 kilometers of marked trails. Our campground near Luz-Saint-Sauveur is the ideal base camp for exploring the most beautiful hikes in the Hautes-Pyrénées—here are a few ideas for all skill levels!
The Legendary GR10: Crossing the Pyrenees
Places to see: the National Park and Valley Visitor Center, the Templar Church in Luz, the mountain pastures and the Couret d’Ousset ridge, the valley and the Gué de Bolou (1,460 m), and the wildlife of the Pyrenees, especially chamois and marmots.
Distance: 11.6 km Duration: 5 hours Difficulty: Difficult
Luz-Saint-Sauveur
The Napoleon Tour and Château Sainte-Marie
Must-see sights: the Templar Church, a fortified church surrounded by ramparts; the Saint-Sauveur spa district; the Imperial Chapel; and the Napoleon Bridge spanning the Gave de Gavarnie (built between 1859 and 1863).
- Starting point: Templar Church in Luz-Saint-Sauveur
- Round-trip travel time: 45 min
- Difficulty Level: Easy
Must-see sights: the ruins of Château Sainte-Marie, built in the 11th century; the panoramic view of Luz-Saint-Sauveur; and the churches of Saint-Jean-Baptiste and Saint-Nicolas in Esquièze-Sère.
- Starting point: Luz-Saint-Sauveur Tourist Office
- Duration of the loop: 1 hour
- Difficulty Level: Easy
Lake Bastampe
Perched at an altitude of 2,019 meters above Luz-Saint-Sauveur, Lake Bastampe is one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in the Hautes-Pyrénées. What makes it special? A small island covered in mountain pines that is reflected in its waters, creating an exceptionally rare natural scene. The round-trip hike is approximately 12.6 km with an elevation gain of 1,311 m; allow 5 to 6 hours for the hike. The climb, steady but strenuous from the hamlet of Agnouède, winds through beech forests, rocky areas, and scree before opening up to this wild gem, far from the crowds. It’s a challenging hike, but well worth the effort once you reach the top.
- Starting point: Agnouède Parking Lot (Luz-Saint-Sauveur)
- Distance: 12.6 km round trip
- Elevation gain: 1,311 m
- Difficulty Level: Hard
The Cascades Trail
Must-see sights: the Solférino Chapel (offering one of the most beautiful views of the villages in the valley), the Mensongé Waterfalls, the Hountalade Thermal Baths (built in 1900), and the spring known as the “Fairy’s Fountain.”
- Starting point: Agnouède Parking Lot (Luz-Saint-Sauveur)
- Distance: 12.6 km round trip
- Elevation gain: 1,311 bm
- Difficulty Level: Hard
The Three Villages Tour (Sazos, Grust, Viscos)
Must-see: the Church of Saint-Julien in Sazos (12th century), the mill district, the Ferme des Cascades (tour and tasting), the washhouse and the Grust lookout point with its orientation map, and the Saint-Pierre Church in Viscos (13th century).
Starting point: Sazos Town Hall Round-trip duration: 3 hours Difficulty: Moderate
The Top
A little further on, the best hikes in the Hautes-Pyrénées
From our campground, the most spectacular natural sites in the Hautes-Pyrénées are less than an hour away. For experienced hikers: the Cirque de Gavarnie and its Grande Cascade, Lake Gaube and the Oulettes de Gaube mountain hut at the foot of the Vignemale, the Brèche de Roland, or the loop around the Néouvielle lakes. For families: the Cauterets Waterfalls Trail, the Cirque de Troumouse (accessible by car), or the walk around Lake Oncet at the foot of the Pic du Midi. Routes for all skill levels in one of France’s most spectacular mountain ranges.
Our Tips and Best Practices
When hiking, plan to set out early in the morning so you can return before 4 p.m. Do not venture off the marked trails, never hike alone, and always let a family member or friend know your route before you leave.
During your stay, our campground offers hiking maps of the various valleys. A guidebook to walks and hikes in the Hautes-Pyrénées is available at the tourist information centers in the Gavarnie Valleys.
Hiking with a mountain guide: In Luz-Saint-Sauveur, many guides offer snowshoe hikes, nature tours (wildlife, flora, sunrise, photo safaris), challenging hikes and family-friendly hikes in the Gavarnie, Estaubé, and Troumouse cirques, the Pont d’Espagne, Lake Gaube, the Pic de Néouvielle, and the Petit Vignemale.
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