Vallée de Cauterets and the Vignemale massif

Cauterets - Pont d'Espagne

Pont d'Espagne is a natural tourist site located in the municipality of Cauterets in the High Pyrenees (France), at an altitude of about 1,500 m above sea level. It is a protected area in the Pyrenees that forms part of the Pyrenees National ParkThe resort even has a cross-country skiing area in the Cauterets ski resort.

Described as the Eden of the Pyrenees, Cauterets - Pont d'Espagne is a very unique area. Two mountain streams and three valleys intersect in what offers a paradisiacal panorama with many waterfalls and mountain streams.

In the upper part there is an abundance of meadows and pastures, which allows the presence of cows in summer. The lower part, after the Jeret Valley, is already a narrow and wooded area.

Discover the history of Cauterets - Pont d'Espagne

Initially, this area was a transit area for the trade with Spain and by the mid-19th century it had become a popular place among the high society. Around 1950, Cauterets refused to allow the lakes in its valleys to be dammed to produce hydroelectric power, so that since that time, in the mountains of the area, the water flows freely through the pine trees and vegetation forming beautiful waterfalls, such as those at Lutour and Ceriset that concentrate all the strength and romanticism of the Pyrenean mountains.

Years later, in the 1960s, it became a tourist attraction par excellence. However, due to the traffic and tourists, the site became significantly degraded. As a result, in the late 1990s, the area underwent a major rehabilitation project.

The attractions of Cauterets - Pont d'Espagne

Getting to this exceptional spot in the Pyrenees National Park is easy, as you can go by car or on foot, following the waterfall path.

You can also visit Cauteretsin the Hautes-Pyrénées department, a charming and lively little mountain town, renowned for its thermal baths and personalised treatments, as well as its ski slopes and its delicious berlingots.

One of the most visited places in the area is the Gaube Lake where you can go on foot or, if you prefer, you can take the Puntas gondola lift and Gaube chairlift and then take a short 15 minute walk on flat terrain. You will see the lake appear in all the splendour of its crystal clear waters; a spectacular place, dominated by the view of the impressive summit of the Vignemale and its 3,298 metres of altitude.

In both summer and winter, there is a programme of activities such as walks, hiking, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing and luge for adults and children. For ease of access, there is on-site parking, a reception building, shuttles, hotel facilities and a small restaurant opposite the Lac de Gaube waterfall.

The Pont d'Espagne is a place that deserves to be visited calmly to appreciate all its majesty and diversity, between nature, water, harmony and relaxation, together with beautiful landscapes of pine forests, waterfalls, pastures, lakes and summits.

Vallée du Marcadau

• Cauterets - Pont d'Espagne - Chalet-Refuge du Clot
• Chalet-Refuge du Clot - Refuge Wallon
• Pont d'Espagne - Wallon Hut
• Refuge Wallon - Grande Fache
• Wallon refuge - Port du Marcadau
• Refuge Wallon - Pic de Cambalès
• Refuge Wallon - Col de Cambalès
• Marcadau Lakes Circuit L
• Refuge Wallon - Col d'Arratille
• Tour of the Arratille Valley
• Wallon refuge in Gavarnie

Gaube Valley

• Pont d'Espagne - Oulettes de Gaube Hut
• Refuge des Oulettes de Gaube - Refuge de Bayssellance
• Refuge des Oulettes de Gaube - Petit Vignemale
• Hourquette d'Ossoue - Pointe Chausenque
• Gavarnie (Barrage d'Ossoue) - Baysellance Hut
• Refuge of Bayssellance - Vignemale
• Refuge des Oulettes de Gaube - Col des Oulettes - Torla
• Refuge des Oulettes de Gaube - Refuge d'Estom

Vallée de Lutour

• Cauterets - La Fruitière
• La Fruitière - Refuge d'Estom
• Refuge d'Estom - Lac Glacé
• La Fruitière - Russell Hut