Pyrenees GR10: Part 3, Etsaut – Cauterets

Day 1: Arrival

Once you have settled into your accommodation in Borce (just next to Etsaut) you can visit the villages of Etsaut and Borce and the Park's mansion.

The Moulette Bridge
Easy hike in shady loop up to the Moulette bridge, in the forest to discover high barns. 4km (2hrs15), +330m, -330m.

Walk to the col de la Coundre
A circular walk that lets you discover the valley of Etsaut. You will discover lovely scenery as well as relics of the past, such as old mills and barns. You arrive at Col de la Coundre at an altitude of 1121m. 6km (3hrs30), +525m, -525m.

Overnight: Borce/Estaut

Day 2: Etsaut - Ayous Refuge

Today's walk is challenging with 1700m altitude gain. It offers scenery of an amazing magnitude: the Chemin de la mature, the plateau of Baigt-Sencours, shepherd's cabins and the pyramid-shaped mountain the Pic du Midi d'Ossau whose reflection shimmers in the waters of the lake, Lac Gentau.

Overnight: Estaut, Walk: 15km (6hrs45), +1650m, -300m.

Day 3: Ayous Refuge - Gabas

Setting out from the refuge at Ayous, the GR10 drops down to the village of Gabas. Today's walk is shorter and it's a chance to recuperate after yesterday's efforts (or longer variants). The distance from the lake to the village isn't far and will take about 3 hours. The village is typically Pyrenean and situated in the famous valley of Ossau, with an emblematic summit, an exceptional flora and fauna, as well as great cheese! Possibility of two different longer variants: via Lac Bersau or via the Col de Suzon.

• Distance : 10km, duration : 3h00, altitude gain : +50m, descent : -950m.

• Distance : 12.5km, duration : 4h30, altitude gain : +200m, descent : -1110m (Variant Lac Bersau).

• Distance : 20km, duration : 8h, altitude gain : +900m, descent : -1800m (Variant Col de Suzon).

Overnight: Gabas, Walk: see above

Day 4: Gabas - Gourette

Today's walk is strenuous, the climb up to the Hourquette d'Arre which culminates at 2465m, this is the highest part of the GR10 in the Pyrenees Atlantiques. You descend towards the lake Anglas and continue down to the ski station, Gourette. There is a good chance that you will be able to observe some remarkable fauna such as the majestic rare vautour fauve, vultures, royal eagles, mountain isards and marmots. Late snow covering is regular on this stage?: a variant enabling to avoid the high point of Hourquette d'Arre can be organized. Possibility to shorten the hike with a morning transfer or divide the hike in 2 by adding an extra night, please contact us.

• Distance : 21,5km, duration : around 9h, altitude gain : +1700m, descent : -1400m

• Distance : 30km, duration : around 11h30, altitude gain : +2050m, descent : -1750m (Snow variant). .

Overnight: Gourette, Walk: see above

Day 5: Gourette - Arrens Marsous

Today's stage of the GR10 is a transition, the trail crosses the border between the Béarn and Bigorre regions. You will be walking across high summer pastures and past shepherd's cabins to the Col de Tortes at an altitude of 1799m and on to the Col de Saucède at 1525m. You will arrive at the village of Arrens in the Val D'Azun valley, the first market town of the Bigorre region. Then you will reach the village of Estaing via the Bordères pass

Overnight: Estaing, Walk: Distance : 13,5km, duration : 6h, altitude gain : +900m, descent : -1400m.

Day 6: Arrens Marsous - Ilheou refuge Refuge

From Arrens, you will reach the village of Estaing and its lake, framed by wooded slopes. Then the GR10 joins the high mountain pastures of the Ilhéou pass (2242m), after having passed the Arriousec and Barbat huts. From the pass, the path descends to the Lac d'Ilhéou or Lac Bleu, and its guarded refuge. In case of late snow, a variant is proposed, outside the GR10, by a balcony itinerary, passing above the Lac Noir.

Overnight: Ilheou, Walk: Distance : 18km, duration : 7h30, altitude gain : +1650m, descent : -550m.

Day 7: Ilheou Refuge - Cauterets

Just a short walk for the last section of this part of the GR10. To Cauterets, passing by the Escala d'Ilheou, you'll no doubt have the chance to see marmots and isards. In this high, airy mountain ambiance there are many traces of glacial erosion, lakes and moraines. Possibility of a longer variant via the Haugade Pass and the Marcadau Valley.

• Distance : 8km, duration : 3h, altitude gain : +50m, descent : -1100m.
• Distance : 16,5km, duration : 6h, altitude gain : +500m, descent : -1550m (variant).

Overnight: Cauterets, Walk: see above

Day 8: Departure

Your walking holiday ends after breakfast.