Hiking in the Hautes-Pyrénées

The Hautes-Pyrénées condense in 4,464 km² the heart of the central Pyrenees and the highest French peaks of the range. The Vignemale (3,298 m) is the highest French Pyrenean summit, with the Néouvielle, the Monte Perdido (3,348 m, on the Spanish border), and the Pic du Midi de Bigorre (2,877 m) and its iconic observatory. The Gavarnie cirque, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of the most visited spots in the Pyrenees. The département is crossed by the GR 10, GR 652, and the HRP.

Tarbes and Lourdes are served by TGV. Valley access (Cauterets, Luz-Saint-Sauveur, Barèges) is by car or SNCF bus from Lourdes.

Best season: mid-June to mid-October. High summits clear of snow only from mid-June depending on the year. Watch for afternoon thunderstorms in July-August, frequent and violent at altitude — start early and descend before 2 p.m. September usually offers the best window: cleared trails, lower crowds, exceptional light.

The 656 routes we offer cover the great classics (Pic du Midi, Gavarnie, Cirque d'Estaubé) as well as the more confidential valleys of the Neste or the Louron.