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GR10 ➤ Section 4 - Cauterets til Luchon

8 Days / 7 Nights
Very challenging

This is the fourth section of the GR10 and this part takes you into the very heart of the Pyrenees. The route goes from Cauterets to Bagnères-de-Luchon and can be described in two parts.

The first part of the route goes through the 'Pays Toy'. The word 'Toy' refers to the word 'Thôys' which means 'child' or 'little' and the reason why the area has been given this name is due to the youthful villages that are located here. From Cauterets to Barègas via the high Luz-Saint-Sauveur valley and the col de Riou, where you can enjoy the excellent panoramic views and stay in the villages famous for their thermal springs.

The second part of the route from Barèges to Bagnères-de-Luchon passes through a landscape of lakes, mountain passes at more than 2000 metres and mountain villages. You cross the Néouvielle nature reserve with its impressive glacial lakes before reaching the villages of Saint-Lary-Soulan, Germ - the famous refuge on Lake Espingo - and finally Bagnères-de-Luchon, also known as the "Belle of the Pyrenees".

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More about the route

The walks follow good footpaths and the terrain is varied and often rocky. The route is marked in most places, but there may be challenges in some places where you will have to follow the material you will be given by us. To go on this trip we recommend that you are in good shape and have experience of hiking in the mountains. There are two particularly challenging stages on this tour, with 1200 and 1700 metres of elevation gain.

Itinerary

Here you can see the programme for the week.

You arrive at your first hotel on the fourth section of the GR10 from the Atlantic to the Pyrenees. The town of Cauterets lies at 950moh and is well known for the thermal spas in the town. Depending on when you arrive, you can choose to explore the town or walk two shorter walking routes, which will be provided to you on arrival.

Hotel (example): Gite le Beau Soleil

From Cauterets, the GR10 route takes you to Luz-Saint-Sauveur, also famous for its thermal spas. On the way, you'll pass the Col de Riou (mountain pass), which separates the Cauterets valley from the Luz valley. From the mountain pass you have a fantastic panoramic view and can also reach the Barèges valley, the Néouvielle massif and the Troumouse glacier.

Hotel (example): Hotel Ardiden

Today you can really experience the flora and fauna of the Pyrenees, such as mountain goats and playful marmots. In the Valley of Light ('Vallée Lumière') the walking is fantastic.

Hotel (example): Hotel la Montagne Fleurie

You start the day with a short transfer to the car park in Tournaboup. From here you start your ascent to the Col de Madamète. After crossing the pass, you enter the Néouvielle Nature Reserve, where you can admire the fascinating landscape at your feet. The hike ends at Lakes Aumar and Aubert, the Estoudou Pass and finally Lake Oule. If you opt for the shorter walk today, you will finish at Lake Orédon.

Note: Tonight you will stay in a mountain hut, to which luggage cannot be taken. Therefore you will have to pack bed/sleeping bag, toiletries, change of clothes etc. and carry it with you on the hike today. You will only be contacted about your luggage after the hike tomorrow.

Hotel (example): Chalet de l'Oule

From the Oule refuge you follow the lake and go up to the Col de Portet, 2215 metres above sea level. From the mountain pass, the route continues past the ski resort of Saint Lary. The route crosses over lakes before descending to the village of Vieille-Aure and on to Saint-Lary-Soulan.
Today's route can be shortened with a free transfer. Please contact us if you would like this.

Hotel (example): Centre l'Estibère

The day starts with a transfer to Germ (it is also possible to walk, but it requires an extra on the trip, where you stay overnight in Germ).
From Germ there are lovely views of French and Spanish mountain peaks. Mountain life and farming traditions are alive and well in this area. From the village, the GR10 trail crosses the Pas de Couret (2131moh) and takes you into the Luchon region. The ascent to Lake Espingo, Granges d'Astau and Lac d'Oo offers stunning scenery that you will never forget.
This day can be split in two, but requires an extra night in the middle of the route.

Note: Tonight you will stay in a mountain hut, to which luggage cannot be taken. Therefore you will have to pack bed/sleeping bag, toiletries, change of clothes etc. and carry it with you on the hike today. You will only be contacted about your luggage after the hike tomorrow.

Hotel (example):  Refuge

Today's hike takes place in a beautiful mountain landscape. You hike along the Hourquette des Hounts ridge at 2275 metres above sea level before crossing the Col de la Coume de Bourg ( 2272m). From here you can take an alternative route (away from the GR10) and climb the Pic de Céciré. This imposing peak offers magnificent views of the Maladeta massif and the Pic des Spijeoles.
The descent to Luchon passes by the Superbagnères ski resort (in July and August you can take a cable car from the resort to Luchon, shortening the descent - not included in the price)
You arrive in Luchon, where the fourth section of the GR10 ends.

 

The tour is now over and you will leave the last hotel of the tour during the morning.

SEE THE NEXT SECTION OF GR10

 

Prices and dates

Prices per person in EUR

Price includes

Extras
  • Accommodation upgrade (see more below)
  • Transportation to/from France
  • Drinks with meals
  • Handling fee (€20)

Practical information

Here you can get answers to various questions about the trip
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The price is based upon two people sharing. For safety reasons, this tour cannot be booked for solo travellers. There must be min. be two participants.

On this tour you will be on your own supplied with maps, route descriptions and luggage transfers. That means that your time is your own and you have plenty of time to enjoy the stages in your own pace.

Check the price quickly
You can quickly check the price of your desired trip without having to fill in anything. Here's how:

  1. Choose your desired start date
  2. Click on the green button "See price and reserve your holiday" and go to the booking form
  3. Select number of people, add any optional extras and see the price at the bottom of the page (you don't have to fill in anything on the form).

Get a quote
For example, if you want a flight included or changes to the trip, you can order a quote for this using the "Get a quote" button. Remember to describe in detail what, if anything, you want changed.

The process of your booking
When you book, we will start booking hotels and arranging all the practical details of the trip. This process typically takes 2-5 working days, but some bookings may take longer. If you are arranging your own transport, we recommend that you wait until we have confirmed your booking before arranging this.

Dates
If you can select the date in the tour calendar at the top of this page, this is a possible start date. We continually update the tours with sold-out dates, after which those dates will turn red and cannot be selected.

The flights to/from Biarritz in France are not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.

Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flights.

It works like this:

  1. You book your chosen holiday with us
  2. We confirm your holiday (usually within 5-8 business days)
  3. You arrange your transportation

Getting there
Here is a link for the perfect tool which will help you get an overview of how to get to the starting point of the tour: Rome2Rio

From Biarritz airport to Cauterets
It's easy to get from Biarritz airport to Cauterets. It is possible to take the train, which takes about 3 hours. Get an overview of the options here: Rome2Rio.

Return from Luchon to Cauterets
If you need to return to Cauterets after the tour, we can arrange a transfer for you.

Return from Luchon to Biarritz Airport
Here's how to get from Luchon all the way to Biarritz airport: Rome2Rio

On this tour you will stay as follows:

  • 2 nights in mountain huts in dormitories (days 4 and 6)
  • 3 nights in hostels in dormitories (days 1, 2 and 3)
  • 1 night in room in guesthouse (day 5)
  • 1 night in room hotel (day 7)

 

If you wish to upgrade to the Comfort version of the tour, you will stay overnight as follows:

COMFORT

  • 1 night in hostel in private room with shared bath/toilet (day 1)
  • 2 nights in 2-star hotel (days 2, 3 and 7)
  • 1 night in a room in a guesthouse (day 5)
  • 1 night in mountain hotel in private room with shared bath/toilet (day 4)
  • 1 night in mountain hut in dormitory (day 6)

Note: Sleeping in dormitory is included in both versions of the tour and therefore it is necessary to bring a sheet/sleeping bag on the tour. You will be provided with blankets at all accommodations, so sheet bag will be sufficient.

On this tour, breakfast and dinner are included throughout the trip.

Included meals
Breakfast is standard "continental breakfast" with tea, coffee, milk, bread, butter, jam etc.
Evening meals consist of 3-course menus with starter, main course and dessert.
Please note that drinks for the evening meals are not included in the price.

Lunch
Lunch is not included but can be purchased at the accommodation. It will typically be in the form of a picnic lunch that you take with you on the tour.

Luggage transfer is included on days 2, 3, 5 and 7. The way it works is that on arrival at the first hotel you will receive your luggage tag in the welcome pack.  You fill in the luggage tags and put them on your bag, where it will stay for the whole trip.

The luggage is collected around 9am each morning and arrives at the next hotel by 6pm (usually well before). If there are any special exceptions to the luggage transfer, you will be informed of this on arrival.

One bag can be transported per guest and bags must not weigh more than 15kg.

IMPORTANT / NOTE: On this trip there is two days when luggage cannot be transported and therefore on that day you will need to pack and carry all necessary equipment on the hike (including a bed or sleeping bag). This is day 4 and 6, when you will have to carry necessities for the nights, as you will be without your luggage that night.

On this tour, you will receive the following documents:

Upon booking
Immediately after booking this trip, you'll recieve a pre-booking-email where you can get a complete overview of your booking. Once the tour is confirmed you get a confirmation email from us along with practical information about the tour.

One month before departure
You will receive a hotel list and final travel documents.

Upon arrival at the first hotel
You'll receive the welcome pack, which contains everything you need for the trip. There will be route descriptions, maps, luggage tags and specific local vouchers. The documents are in English.
Notice: On some tours it is necessary to either print the documents yourself or to bring them electronically.

This trip has a difficulty level of 3-4, which means that most hiking days on the tour are level 3 and a few are level 4.

Grade 3
Hiking in mountainous terrain with longer ascents and descents. You will hike 5-7 hours a day. Requires generally good fitness and health, but no special technical skills or prior experience. Requires good shoes, such as trekking or mountain boots.

Grade 4
Demanding hiking with daily marches of 6-8 hours, often in difficult terrain at higher altitudes. There can be longer ascents of up to 1,000 meters. Requires good physical condition, endurance, and knees and ankles capable of enduring prolonged descents. You need to be in good health and preferably have hiking experience. Requires good hiking boots and regular outdoor clothing. There can be significant temperature differences.

Read more about our grading system here.

After booking this trip, you get access to various discount schemes.

We recommend taking out travel insurance that covers at least illness, accident, repatriation, lost holiday, luggage and liability. As a customer, you are responsible for taking out the necessary travel insurance to cover these costs.

Before taking out insurance, you should check whether you are already covered by travel or cancellation insurance through your home insurance company, credit card or similar - please note that there may be differences in insurance coverage.

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