Hautes-Pyrénées: a nature weekend around Lourdes with the Occitanie Rail Tour Pass

Written by magalie_jg

Published on October 14, 2024, modified on January 9, 2025

Recently, I was lucky enough to spend a weekend in the Hautes-Pyrénées, exploring the Gavarnie valley thanks to the Occitanie Rail Tour Pass. This pass, available from €10 per day (for a minimum of two consecutive days), allows unlimited travel throughout the Occitanie region by train. To make the experience even more accessible, it's also possible to take buses at just €2 a way. A real bargain for travelers in search of discovery and adventure! Here's the story of my 48 hours around Lourdes, between via ferrata, hiking and relaxing in the heart of nature.

Day 1 - Between sky and mountains: via ferrata and hiking in the heart of Gavarnie

On Saturday morning, I arrived in Lourdes to begin my journey. First destination: Luz-Saint-Sauveur!

© Magalie - En route pour l’aventure

There, I enjoyed an extraordinary experience on the via ferrata de Coumély, accompanied by a mountain guide. This sporty activity offers a vertiginous climb, but what a reward at the top! A breathtaking view of the Gavarnie cirque, one of the most beautiful natural wonders in the Pyrenees. It's an adventure I 100% recommend, both for thrill-seekers and lovers of breathtaking scenery.

© Magalie - C’est parti pour la Via Ferrata de Coumély

After an exciting morning, we head to the village of Gavarnie for a delicious meal at the restaurant Les Glaciers. This small establishment serves traditional local cuisine, while offering an exceptional view of the famous cirque de Gavarnie.

Then it was time for a hike! I took the path leading to the Gavarnie waterfall, one of the highest in Europe at 423 meters. From the village, it takes around two hours round trip to reach the Hôtel du Cirque et de la Cascade, located at the foot of this natural wonder. The walk is accessible, with majestic scenery along the way.

© Magalie - Aux pieds de l’impressionnante cascade de Gavarnie

To round off the day, I took the bus to Cauterets, where I spent the night at the l’hôtel Lion d’Or 3, a charming family-run establishment. The room, spacious and elegantly decorated, offered me all the comfort I needed after a busy day. The hotel is ideally located in the heart of the resort, just a stone's throw from the Bains du Rocher spa, perfect for wellness enthusiasts.

Day 2 - Hike to Lac de Gaube and relax at Bains du Rocher

On Sunday, after a delicious breakfast, I took the bus to Pont d'Espagne for a new adventure: the hike to Lac de Gaube. It takes about two hours to get there and back, but it's worth every step. The lake, with its crystal-clear water, is framed by a splendid view of the Vignemale, a famous peak over 3,000 meters above sea level in the French Pyrenees. The mountain atmosphere is assured, offering a real breath of fresh air.

© Magalie - Devant le magnifique Lac de Gaube

For the return journey, I took the ski lifts back down to the Pont d'Espagne, a convenient option that enabled me to quickly catch the bus back to Cauterets.

The afternoon was dedicated to relaxation. I spent a few hours at the spa Les Bains du Rocher, un lieu de re, a place of relaxation in the heart of the mountains. This moment of well-being was perfect to end this sporting weekend on a soothing note.

© Magalie - Détente aux Bains du Rocher

After this relaxing interlude, it was time to head home. A bus took me back to Lourdes, where I then took a train to Tarbes. Thanks to the Occitanie Rail Tour Pass, all this train and bus travel was smooth and inexpensive.

In the evening, I stayed at the l’hôtel Foch 3***, an urban establishment right in the center of Tarbes. Simple and comfortable, it was the ideal place to spend a quiet night before hitting the road again the next day.

Day 3: Bye bye the Pyrenees and back to Paris!

On Monday morning, after two days of discovery, it was time to head home. I took the first train from Tarbes to Toulouse, then a TGV to Paris, my head full of memories.

© Magalie - C’est déjà l’heure du départ

This weekend in the Hautes-Pyrénées, between nature and adventure, enabled me to discover a region rich in breathtaking scenery, while enjoying great accessibility thanks to regional public transport. The Occitanie Rail Tour Pass proves to be an ideal solution for exploring all that Occitanie has to offer, without constraints. It's an experience I'd recommend to anyone who loves nature and the great outdoors!