Pyrenees GR10 Stage 4 Trek: Gavarnie to Bagnères-de-Luchon

GR10 Stage 4 - Col de Madamete

GR10 Stage 4 - Luchon

GR10 Stage 3/4 - Gavarnie

GR10 Stage 4 - Col de Madamete

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Pyrenees GR10 Stage 4 Trek

Trek from Gavarnie to Bagnères-de-Luchon
See Néouvielle National Park's glacial lakes
Enjoy jagged Pyrenean rock formations
Experience the heart of the Pyrenees

Why Choose Cloud 9 Adventure

We are the GR10 experts
Outstanding fully-qualified mountain guides
Authentic hotels and mountain refuges
Full luggage support

Pyrenees GR10 Stage 4 Trek: Dates and Prices

AT A GLANCE

7 nights

6 days' trekking

Luggage delivery

Group size 4-10

Join: Gavarnie

End: Bagnères-de-Luchon

Nearest airports: Lourdes, Pau, Toulouse

ACCOMMODATION

6 nights in hotels

1 night in an auberge

DIFFICULTY GRADING

8

Challenging

Pyrenees GR10 Stage 4 Trek: Overview

The GR10 is one of Europe's classic long-distance walking paths, running across the Pyrenees and we've broken it down into week-long, bite-sized chunks. Stage 4 is from Gavarnie to Bagnères-de-Luchon. It gets you right into the heart of the region, beginning in the Hautes Pyrenees and concluding in the Haute Garonne. It features highlights like the Pyrenean Lake District (Lacs de Néouvielle), the Col de Madamète (2509m), the dramatic Cirque d'Espingo and a visit to Loudenvielle's thermal baths.

In this one week alone, you should see a great variety of scenery and wildlife: huge limestone walls, glacial lakes, waterfalls and jagged Pyrenean rock formations. We might see griffon vultures, marmottes, chamois (known locally as isard) and if we're very lucky, bearded vultures.

What to expect

The trekking is relatively strenuous, but the trail is generally good quality, with a couple of rocky ascents and descents. Some days have over 1000m of ascent and descent, but we walk at a steady pace to enjoy the hiking and the scenery. This trip is suitable for regular hikers and people with a good level of fitness. Your luggage is transferred for you for each day, so you only need to carry a day pack.

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TRIP NOTES

Pyrenees GR10 Stage 4 Trek: Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival day in Gavarnie

The group will meet at our hotel in Gavarnie. Our guide will give an informal briefing about the days to come, and will answer any questions you may have. Those arriving in early may choose to do a short hike to visit Gavarnie's stunning cirque. It's an amazing trip despite the summer crowds.

Accommodation: hotel (dinner not included)

Luggage access: yes

Day 2 - Transfer to Luz. Trek to Barèges

A fairly easy day to warm up (apart from the initial steep ascent!) although we do our first passes of the trip, the Couret d'Ousset and the Gué de Bolou. There's an option to make a more gentle start, by trekking an alternative route through the hamlets of Viey and Sers on the other side of the valley.

Accommodation: hotel, dinner included

Distance: 12 km

Ascent / descent: +832m / -312m

Walking: Approx 4-5 hrs

Luggage access: yes

Day 3 - Trek from Barèges to Orédon

Today we trek through the Pyreneen Lake District - the Lacs de Néouvielle. This is one of the most beautiful day's trekking you can do. If the weather is good we can swim in one of the mountain lakes. We cross the Col de Madamète (2509m) and descend to the Lac d'Aubert and the Lac d'Orédon. Simply beautiful.

Accommodation: hotel, dinner included

Distance: 20 km

Ascent/ descent: +1300m / -450m

Walking: approx 6-7 hrs

Luggage access: yes

Day 4 - Trek from Lac d'Orédon to St Lary

Today beings with a decent climb up to the Col d'Estoudou, then a descent to the Lac de l'Oule. We hike alongside the lake before starting our next climb - this time to the Col de Portet (in the St Lary ski area). The descent begins with a nice gentle section across the grassy plateau, with great views. It then morphs into one of the steepest descents of the whole trip, down to the village of Vieille Aure. We'll continue on to our hotel in St Lary.

Accommodation: hotel, dinner included

Distance: 19 km

Ascent/ descent: +550m / -1415m

Walking: approx 8 hrs

Luggage access: yes

Day 5 - Trek from St Lary to Loudenvielle

Today is a little bit shorter to give us time at the thermal baths at Loudenvielle! We climb up through the villages of Estensan and Azet, to reach our high point near the Col d'Azet. We then descend into the Louron valley (steep in places). We can walk straight to the thermal baths. The price for the baths is 19€ per person (not included) and a towel is included in the price. After our visit to the baths, we'll transfer back to St Lary to stay another night there as it's a lovely hotel.

Accommodation: hotel, dinner included

Distance: 11 km

Ascent/ descent: +750m / -626m

Walking: approx 5.5 hrs

Luggage access: yes

Day 6 - Trek from Loudenvielle to Granges d'Astau or Espingo

Today we transfer to Loudenvielle to continue our trek, over the Couret d'Esquierry (2131m). At this point we leave the Hautes Pyrenees and enter the Haute Garonne. It's a long, steep ascent which takes a large part of the day, but we are rewarded with superb views, and it feels really wild: a truly unspoilt place. From here the scenery changes as we descend steeply into the lush green Val d'Astau, but we reach the Granges d'Astau with plenty of time for a beer on the terrace.

Accommodation: mountain auberge, dinner included

Distance: 15.7 km

Ascent/ descent: +1176m / 1011m

Walking: approx 7-8 hrs

Luggage access: yes

Day 7 - Trek from Granges d'Astau or Espingo to Bagnères-de-Luchon

Today we start with a gentle climb up to the Lac D'Oô with its impressive waterfall, before ascending further towards the dramatic Cirque d'Espingo. Then we have a steep climb to the Hourquette des Ounts Secs (2267m) and the Col de la Coume de Bourg (2272m)......then a lovely, gradual descent, with spectacular views, to the resort of Super Bagnères. We take the cable car from here down to Luchon (this saves us 1200m of descent!!)

Accommodation: hotel, dinner included

Distance: 15km

Ascent/ descent: +1001m / 650m

Walking: approx 7 hrs

Luggage access: yes

Day 8 - Departure day

For those leaving the GR10 after Stage 4, your trip finishes after breakfast today. Those staying on for Stage 5, prepare for your Cloud 9 Adventure to continue...

Included