Excursion to the cirque and waterfall of Gavarnie
The Cirque de Gavarnie , declared World Heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), hides one of the greatest wonders of nature, visited and acclaimed by millions, being considered one of the most valuable jewels in the whole of Europe.
This is "Le Grand Cascade", or Gavarnie waterfall The Röthbach Waterfall, which has a waterfall of at least 423 metres, is the highest waterfall in France and the second highest in Europe (the Röthbach Waterfall in Germany has the distinction of being the highest).
It is located right at a point that coincides with the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park in Spain, and the Pyrenees National Park, in FranceBoth have received recognition from Unesco.
From the village of the same name - Gavarnie - there are several excursions of medium difficulty for people willing to enjoy this place, classified as a natural treasure of the Pyrenees.
The stage opens its doors to millions of visitors every year, especially in autumn and summer, to tour the cirque, which is formed by large rocky walls and has 1500 metres of unevenness at the bottom of the valley and large peaks of around 3000 metres in height - the Gran Astazu, the Taillón and the Pico y Casco de Marboré.
How to get to Gavarnie
Getting to Gavarnie from the town of Luz-Saint-Sau involves a journey by car. After taking the D-921 road, you will pass through villages such as Gèdre to complete the journey to your destination.
Leave the car in the car park and set off on the path from the village itself, from where you can see the great waterfall. The view will definitely take your breath away.
L`Hotellerie du Cirque and the Cirque and Waterfall of Gavarnie.
The route will be mostly uphill, of approximately 4.5 kilometres y 225m up to L`Hotellerie du Cirque (1h10min). The route to this point will be entirely on tracks. L`Hotellerie has a bar and restaurant and for many of the visitors this could be the end of their route, a point with a great panoramic view over the large waterfall.
The more daring continue the route, once you have entered the Gavarnie cirque. It is a gentle ascent until you reach the base of the waterfall: 2h00min y 400m unevenness.
There are other excursions (Cirque de Gavarnie Routes) that are more difficult. One of them is the one that starts from the Pailhères path and continues along a slightly aerial path to the Espuguettes refuge.
The winter season attracts a different kind of public, namely those who are fascinated by ice climbing or the winter hardness of the circus walls. However, for the general public it is not recommended to visit the site in the winter and spring seasons.
During the thawing season there is also another visual spectacle: it is at this time that visitors can see various waterfalls cascading down the length and breadth of the rock face.
The Garvanie Cirque, which hides within its immense rocky walls the great Garvanie waterfall, is undoubtedly the place par excellence to visit and spend a pleasant and fun time with the whole family.
Other routes in the Cirque de Gavarnie
- Gavarnie - Plateau de Bellevue - Gavarnie
- Gavarnie - Hôtellerie du Cirque - Gavarnie
- Gavarnie - Espuguettes Refuge
- Gavarnie - Espuguettes Hut - Piméné
- Gavarnie (Col de Tentes) - Pic de Tentes - Pic de la Pahule
- Gavarnie - La Brèche Hut
- Col de Tentes - Port de Boucharo - Brèche Hut
- Gavarnie - La Brèche Hut
- Refuge de la Brèche - Pic du Marboré
- Refuge de la Brèche - Tour du Marboré
- Refuge of la Brèche - Casque du Marboré
- Refuge of la Brèche - Pic du Taillon
- La Brèche Hut - Góriz Hut
