Estaubé, Troumouse and Barroude cirques

Estaube / Photo: Ericoides [Public domain] Wikimedia Commons
Estaube / Photo: Ericoides [Public domain] Wikimedia Commons

Index

Troumouse Circus

In the Pyrenees National Park, you will find a spectacular mountain cirque known as the Troumouse Circussurrounded by imposing walls and peaks, where you will find the highest waterfalls in Europe.

Troumouse Cirque, Lac des Aires / Photo: Jean Christophe BENOIST [CC-BY-3.0] Wikimedia Commons
Troumouse Cirque, Lac des Aires / Photo: Jean Christophe BENOIST [CC-BY-3.0] Wikimedia Commons

How to get there

Between 2,800 and 3,100 metres above sea level, at the exit of Gavarnie, just before the village, you will find the imposing Cirque de Troumouse, in the Héas valley, described by its visitors as "the Goliath of circuses", even more extensive than Gavarnie.

A mountain wall that invites you to relax

The Troumouse Cirque is made up of a cluster of rocky mountains, where its highest point is the Munia Peak at 3,133 metres above sea level, you can also find points such as the Soum des Salettes at 2,976 metres, followed by the Aguillous peak at 2,851 metres, the Gerbats peak at 2,904 metres, along with a number of other contiguous peaks that many mountaineers explore.

In the interior of the Cirque de Troumouse you will find meadows crossed by crystal-clear streams that flow into the beautiful Lake Aires. This area is also full of enchanting nature.


Cirques d'Estaubé

Located in the centre of the Pyrenees mountain range between France and Spain, we find this majestic glacial cirque. It is approximately 3.4 km wide and its base is about 1,800 metres high, and is mostly known as the "Pyrenees". Cirque d'Estaubé.

Gorge d'Estaubé / Photo: St Sauveur (Wikimedia Commons)
Gorge d'Estaubé / Photo: St Sauveur (Wikimedia Commons)

The glacial cirque of Estaubé is an important wildlife scenery, where you can enjoy unforgettable views and magical moments, at the same time you can stop in front of the "des Gloriettes" reservoir that finishes adorning the pale glaciers that are surrounded by the Tucarroya Gap, the New Port of Pineda, the Hourquette d'Alans and the peaks of the Tucarroya, de PinetaThe Forcarral and Astazou mountains, which form the natural wall.

Walk to the Estaubé Circus

The first part of the route goes through the dense trees that cover the valleys of the Pineta Cirque until it reaches the grassy slopes. From the route you can see the vertiginous descent of the Cinca river from the Balcón de Pineta, this route also has high points that offer views of the head of the Pineta valley and once you reach the Balcón de Pineta, everyone will be fascinated by the impressive views of the Monte Perdido glacier and the Valle Colgado de Marboré surrounded by the north of the Tres Sorores that exceed 3,000 metres.

Cirque d'Estaubé / Photo: Miguel303xm (Wikimedia Commons)
Cirque d'Estaubé / Photo: Miguel303xm (Wikimedia Commons)

The route to follow is completely signposted, starting from the Pyrenees National Park towards Marboré, the path is marked out, so there is no way to get lost. At the beginning you must follow the right bank of the Cinca river, when you reach the foot of the slopes that close the valley you must continue along the signposted path, the terrain is defined, so there is no way to get lost.

On the other hand, if you reach the Marboré valley you can continue to the northwest to reach the Marboré lake, and you can also climb up a channel to the Tucarroya refuge.

After the ascent on this route comes the descent, which is done diagonally across some wide glades following the path marked on the terrain by the traffic of people. At the bottom of the pastureland before reaching the wooded area you can head west under some cliffs to take the Marboré path, which we will return along, to finally reach the starting point.

Although it is a strenuous route it is quite rewarding, however, it is important that you are in good physical condition to be able to complete the entire route.

The visit to the Cirque d'Estaubé This majestic place will fill your spirit, the connection with nature will fill you with energy and it will be a journey you will never forget.


Other routes


  • Barrage des Gloriettes - Estaubé Hut
  • Héas - Lacs des Aires - Le Cot
  • Héas - Hourquette d'Héas - Hourquette de Chermentas - Cirque de Barroude
  • Barroude Cirque - Pic de Port-Vieux - Port Vieux - Cirque de Barroude