• Pyrenees GR10: Part 4, Cauterets - Luchon

• 15 June - 30 September (every day subject to availability)

• From £895 / €995
• Single supplement (minimum 2 in party): please consult us
• Without bag transfer: less £120 / €140 per booking
• All prices per person, except where stated

• 7 nights, 6 day's self-guided walking moving between accommodation

• Fourth stage of the mythical crossing of the Pyrenees via the GR10 long-distance trail
• Wonderful high mountain stage of the Pyrenees traverse
• Well preserved flora and fauna
• Wonderful mountain scenery in the Pyrenees
• Great walking over passes and summits, over 2000m in altitude
• Only carrying a light rucksack on most days

• 6 nights in hotels, in double rooms
• 1 night in a shared dormitory in mountain refuge. Bring a sleeping bag liner (blankets provided)
• Half board

• 7 nights' accommodation.
• All breakfasts and 7 evening meals.
• Full walking notes and maps.
• Small transfers on days 4, 5 & 6
• Transport of luggage between accommodation on days 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7
• GPS files (if requested)

• Travel to Cauterets and from Luchon
• Lunches, drinks with meals, showers in hut
• Any excursions or entrance fees
• Travel insurance

• Find out more about the GR10 and the different walking holidays
• GR10 part 1: Hendaye - St Jean Pied de Port
• GR10 Part 2: St Jean Pied de Port - Etsaut
• GR10 Part 3: Etsaut - Cauterets
• GR10 Part 5: Luchon - Aulus les Bains
• See other walking holidays in the Pyrenees: Cerdagne Explorer - Pyrenees Coastal Trail - Azun Valley: Pyrenees Balcony Trail
• Return to Home Page

Walking Profile

6 days independent walking moving everyday between hotels and two mountain huts. It is graded strenuous, although the average days include 6 hours 30 - 7 hours walking and 1080m of ascent & descent. The hardest day, however, includes 1650m of ascent. Details are provided with the descriptions below. Paths are generally good and well defined, although they are often rocky and mountainous in character. You should have a good head for heights and be able to navigate.

Walking Holiday Day-by-day

Day 1: Arrival in Cauterets

Part 4 of the GR10 trek starts at Cauterets. Situated at 950m altitude, Cauterets has an authentic, Pyrenean mountain charm and is well known for its thermal spas. Time to discover and enjoy the town. Choice of optional walks if you have time.

The Turon des Oules and the plateau du Lisey
Possibility of doing a forest walk in the direction of Turon des Oules 1380m, this is a high altitude thermal station with old hotels that date from the turn of the last century, it’s possible to continue to the Plateau du Lisey (add on 30mins).
The Gaube lake from the pont d’Espagne
From Cauterets, take the shuttle from the pont d’Espagne and hike to the magnificent Gaube lake.

• Distance: 7km or 10km, duration: 3h15 or 3h45, altitude gain: +450m or +705m, descent: -450m or -705m (Turon des Oules and/or Plateau du Lisey).
• Distance: 4km, duration: 1h40, altitude gain: +220m, descent: -220m (Gaube lake).

Day 2: Cauterets - Luz Saint Sauver

From Cauterets, the walk will lead you to Luz-Saint-Sauveur, another well known thermal spa village. You will pass the col de Riou, that separates the valley of Cauterets and the valley of Luz. From the mountain pass the panorama is immense with views across the Bareges Valley, Neouvielle Massif and the cirque of Troumouse.

Distance: 22km, duration: 8h15, altitude gain: +1190m, descent: -1410m.

Day 3: Luz Saint Sauver - Bareges

Today's walk will allow you to discover the flora and fauna of the high Pyrenees, such as the mountain isards and the playful marmots. The valley of light, ‘vallee lumiere’ is a real joy for walkers on this easier day.

Distance: 15km, duration: 5h45, altitude gain: +1010m, descent: -495m

Day 4: Tournaboup - Lake Oredon

Short transfer to the parking de Tournaboup (can be avoided, consult us). From Tournaboup, you'll start an ascent to the Col de Madamète via the beautiful Aygues Cluses valley and its lakes. After crossing the pass, you will enter the splendid Néouvielle Nature Reserve, where you can admire the enchanting landscapes. The walk ends with the lakes of Aumar, Aubert, and Estoudou pass.

Distance: 15.5km, duration: 6h, altitude gain: +1065m, descent: -680m.

Day 5: Lake Oredon - Vielle Aure

Climb up to the Col de Portet, culminating at 2215m. From the col, the trail passes via the ski resort of Saint Lary. It makes its way across high altitude pastures before descending to the village of Vieille-Aure and the site of its manganese mine near Saint-Lary-Soulan. possibility to organize a transfer without supplement to shorten the walk, contact us).

Distance: 20km, duration: 8h, altitude gain: +875m, descent: -1905m.

Day 6: Germ - Espingo Refuge

Transfer to Germ (It is possible to include the walk St Lary-Germ in the tour, adding a night in Germ. Contact us for more information). From Germ you will enjoy some superb views of the French/Spanish mountain summits. The mountain lifestyle and agricultural traditions are still very much alive and well in this area. From the village the GR trail crosses the Pas de Couret at an altitude of 2131m, a passage which takes you into the domaine of Luchon. The ascension towards Espingo lake, the Granges d’Astau and the Lac d’Oo provide some marvelous mountain scenery. Possibility to divide this long stage in 2 by adding an extra night, please contact us.

Distance: 17.5km, duration: 8h00, altitude gain: +1680m, descent: -1070m.

Day 7 : Espingo Refuge - Luchon

The final walking stage of this section of the GR10 will plunge you into high mountain decor. You will traverse the Hourquette des Hounts at an altitude of 2275m, before crossing the mountain pass, the Col de la Coume de Bourg at 2272m. From here you can choose to do a variant (which is not on the GR10), the ascension of the Pic de Cecire. This magnificent summit offers stunning and captivating views in the direction of the Maladetta massif and the Spigeoles. The descent towards Luchon passes by the ski resort of Superbagneres. In July and August, it is possible to take the cable car of the ski resort to avoid the long descent.

Distance.: 19.5km, duration: 7h40, altitude gain: +645m, descent: -1970m.

Day 8: Departure

Your self-guided walking holiday ends after breakfast.