Pont d'Espagne & Lac de Gaube

• Lake altitude1,725 m
• Vignemale3,298 m
• From Cauterets~15 min drive
• TimeHalf day

Above Cauterets, the Pont d'Espagne is a stone bridge where the Marcadau and Gaube torrents meet in a series of powerful waterfalls. It's one of the most visited natural sites in the Pyrénées National Park.

Lac de Gaube

From the Pont d'Espagne car park, a gondola and chairlift (or about an hour's walk through pines) lead to the Lac de Gaube at 1,725 metres, with the north face of the Vignemale glittering at the end of the valley.

More walks

• The Chemin des Cascades from Cauterets follows a string of waterfalls.
• The Marcadau valley leads to the Wallon refuge and high lakes.
• Fit hikers continue beyond Gaube to the Oulettes de Gaube refuge under the Vignemale.

Tips

• Parking is paid; in summer, shuttles run from Cauterets.
• The site is also a cross-country ski and snowshoe area in winter.

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