Campground near the Cirque de Troumouse
Just 30 minutes from our campground near Luz-Saint-Sauveur, the Cirque de Troumouse is one of the hidden gems of the Hautes-Pyrénées. Less well-known than its famous neighbor, Gavarnie, it is part of the Franco-Spanish “Pyrenees-Mont Perdu” site, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997—one of the few sites in the world to have received dual recognition for both its natural and cultural significance. With equally fascinating landscapes, a wilder atmosphere, and less-traveled trails, Troumouse offers those who discover it a rare and authentic experience.
A natural wall in the heart of Toy Country
Bordering Spain to the south, the Cirque de Troumouse is one of the largest cirques in the Pyrenees and in Europe, with an average diameter of 4 km and a base elevation of 2,200 meters. Its wall of peaks rises from 2,800 to over 3,000 meters, dominated by the Pic de la Munia, which rises to 3,133 meters. Located upstream from the Gave d’Héas valley, it is part of the Gavarnie-Mont Perdu massif and offers a landscape of rare beauty—a blend of rugged rock and pastoral scenery—featuring vertiginous limestone cliffs, alpine meadows, and small streams.
UNESCO
The largest glacial cirque in the Pyrenees
Of the three cirques in the Pyrenees National Park— Troumouse, Gavarnie, and Estaubé—the Troumouse Cirque is the largest and the only one accessible by car, making it an ideal destination for families. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it forms an open, sun-drenched rock amphitheater of magnificent proportions. Pic de la Munia (3,133 m), Pic de Serre Mourène (3,090 m), Pic de Bouneu (2,726 m): these Pyrenean giants encircle this wild plateau where chamois, marmots, and griffon vultures roam freely in a fully preserved environment.
How do I get to the Cirque de Troumouse?
From our campground, it’s about a 30-minute drive (20 km). Take the D921 toward Gavarnie, then the D922, which winds up the Héas Valley to the Auberge du Maillet. The section of road between the Chapelle de Héas and the upper parking lot is subject to a toll from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. during peak season; outside these hours, access is free. To reach the heart of the cirque effortlessly, take a guided train ride It covers 3.3 km and drops you off at an elevation of 2,100 m, right in the heart of the countryside. An ideal option for families with young children or those who aren’t very athletic.
Walks and hikes
The Cirque de Troumouse delights hikers of all levels, from casual Sunday strollers to experienced hikers. The long loop starting from the Chapelle de Héas—12 km, a 650-meter elevation gain, and a 4- to 5-hour hike, offers views of the Aires Lakes, the Aguila torrent, and the Virgin of Troumouse—a statue perched at 2,115 meters offering a 360° panorama of the peaks. Marmots, chamois, and herds grazing in the summer pastures inhabit these heights, accompanied by breathtaking alpine flora (Fauna and Flora). And to recharge after your hike,the Auberge du Maillet welcomes you with its Pyrenean specialties; the lamb and Pyrenean gratin are particularly renowned there.
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