France - GR10 ➤ Section 3 - Etsaut to Cauterets
From Etsaut to Cauterets, the GR10 passes through the Pyrenees National Park. Established in 1967 to preserve the exceptional natural heritage, the park stretches from the Aspe valley to the Aure valley along the Spanish border.
The third section of the GR10 starts from Etsaut and runs along the famous Chemin de la Mâture, a 1200-metre path cut into the rock and running 200 metres above the Gave d'Aspe river. The path leads you on to the Ossau Valley, which opens up before you and where you can enjoy excellent views of the pyramid-shaped Pic de Midi d'Ossau (2884moh).
From Gabas to the Arrens valley, through the ski resorts of Gaurette, you pass through a landscape of lakes and villages in an almost endless wilderness. After discovering the Arrens Valley and the Estaing Valley, you finish the tour in the spa town of Cauterets - the capital of the Bigorre region.
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 we will give you. To go on this trip we recommend that you are in good shape and have experience of hiking in the mountains. Note that there are two particularly challenging stages on the route with 1500 and 1700 metres of altitude.
Great things about this tour
Photo gallery from the tour
Here you can see the stunning scenery and some of the views that come with walking this section of the GR10.
See more pictures »
Itinerary See all daysClose all days
You arrive at your first hotel. If you arrive early, you can go hiking today. The itinerary you will receive on arrival will include suggestions.
Today's hiking rings are challenging with 1550 meters of altitude. The landscape you will hike through is absolutely stunning and you will discover for example: the Chemin de la Mature, the Baigt-Sencours plateau, the shepherds' huts and the pyramid-shaped mountain peak Pic du Midi d'Oussau, which reflects the light of Lake Gentau.
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.
Walking time: approx. 6 hours
Distance: 15km
+1700 / -330
You start your hike from the refuge at Ayous, from where the GR10 descends to the village of Gabas. Today's hike is relatively short and it allows you to recover after yesterday's hike. That said, there is also a longer route you can choose to walk today. It is not far to today's destination and you will reach the village after about four hours of hiking. Gabas is typical of the Pyrenees and is located in the famous Oussau Valley, which is bordered by beautiful mountain peaks, beautiful scenery and where, incidentally, a fantastic cheese is produced.
Walking time: approx. 4½ hours or approx. 7½ hours
Distance: 12.5km or 20km
+235 / -1155 or +930 / -1855
You start the day with a transfer from Gabas to Pont du Goua or Eaux Bonnes. Today's hike is strenuous and the ascent to Hourquette d'Arre (2465moh) is the highest point on the GR10 route. You then descend towards Lake Anglas and continue to the ski station, Gourette. There is a good chance that you will see some interesting animals today, such as the rare Griffon Vulture, eagles and marmots. Snow is common well into summer in this region, so in case the high point at Hourquette d'Arree is snowed in, we have an alternative route.
Walking time: approx. 7½ hours or approx. 4 hours
Distance: 17km or 10km
+1550 / -1155 or +900 / -275
Today's stage is a transition where the GR10 crosses the border between the Béarn and Bigorre regions. You hike over high pastures, past shepherd's huts to the Col de Tortes (1799moh) and from there to the Col de Saucéde (1525moh). You arrive in the village of Arrens in Val D'Azun, the first market town in the Bigorre region. From there, cross the Bordères Pass to Estaing.
Walking time: approx. 8 hours or approx. 7 hours
Distance: 21km or 16.5km
+1200 / -1490 or +1110 / -1395
The GR10 leads you up to the high plains of the Col d'Ilhéou, where you pass the Arroussec and Barbat mountain huts. The pass is 2242moh and from here the path descends to Lake Ilhéou.
Note: Tonight you will spend the night 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 on the hike today. You will only be contacted about your luggage after the hike tomorrow.
Walking time: approx. 4½ hours or 5½ hours
Distance: 10,5km or 14 km
+1250 / -350 or +1325 / -420
Today's hike on the GR10 is quite short. On the way to Cauterets you will pass Escala d'Ilhéou and will almost certainly see marmots and mountain goats. Here, in the high mountains, there are many traces of glaciers and moraine. Today you also have the choice of two routes.
You finally arrive in the spa town of Cauterets and have now completed the third section of the GR10 route from the Atlantic to the Pyrenees.
Walking time: approx. 3 hours or 6½ hours
Distance: 8km or 18km
+75 / -1100 or +515 / -1530
Note: On our walking holidays we would normally have a night in the last town before checking out in the morning. However, on our GR10 trips we finish the sections without the last night because the next section has this "arrival night" included. Today you therefore have several options:
- If your walking holiday is only this section, you can either let the tour end with the arrival in the town, then continue to the airport or back to your car - or you can choose to add an "extra night in the last town" on the booking form.
- If you are walking several sections of the GR10, you don't need to choose an extra night here because it is already included in the next section (you can, however, choose an extra night anyway if you want a rest day).
Price includes
- 3 nights in mountain huts in dormitory (day 2, 4, and 6 - can be upgraded: see practical info below)
- 3 nights in hostel in dormitory (day 1, 3 and 5 - can be upgraded: see practical info below)
- Breakfast every day
- Dinner every day
- Carefully elaborated route descriptions maps and other materials
- Transfers as described in the programme
- 24-hour local and international service hotline for the duration of the tour
- This is a packaged holiday and is therefore covered by The Travel Guarantee Fund - See which benefits this means for you - click here
- Transportation to/from France
- Drinks with meals
- Handling fee (€20)
- Optional Accommodation upgrade (see more below)
Practical info
The price is based upon two people sharing. For safety reasons it is not possible to go on this tour as a solotraveler.
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:
- Choose your desired start date
- Click on the green button "See price and reserve your holiday" and go to the booking form
- 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:
- You book your chosen holiday with us
- We confirm your holiday (usually within 48 hours)
- 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 Etsaut
It is easy to get from Biarritz airport to Etsaut. It is possible to take the train and bus, which take about 5 hours. Get an overview of the options here: Rome2Rio.
Return from Cauterets to Etsaut
If you need to return to Etsaut after the tour, we can arrange a transfer for you. This costs 220 euros (weekdays and Saturdays) and 300 euros (Sundays and public holidays) for 1-4 people. Contact us if you want this included.
Return from Cauterets to Biarritz airport
Here's how to get from Cauterets all the way to Biarritz airport: Rome2Rio
On this trip you will stay as follows:
3 nights in mountain huts in dormitory (days 2, 4, and 6)
3 nights in hostels in dormitory (days 1, 3 and 5)
If you wish to upgrade to the Comfort version of the tour, you will stay as follows:
COMFORT
- 2 nights in Guesthouse in private rooms (day 1 and 3 )
- 2 night in 2-star hotel (day 4 and 5)
- 2 nights in mountain huts in dormitories (day 2 and 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 the sleeping 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 3, 4, 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 are stretches where luggage cannot be transported and therefore on those days you will need to pack and carry all necessary equipment (including a sheet or sleeping bag). These are Day 2 and Day 6, where you will need to carry necessities for the nights as you will be without your luggage on those nights.
You will recieve the following documentation
Upon booking
You recieve practical information about the tour in a digital format
One month before arrival
You recieve your hotel list and your voucher (hotel list is often supplied upon booking)
Upon arrival
You recieve the welcome package which contains the printed version of the road book, luggage tags, local specific vouchers and if you have rented bikes then they will also be delivered and fitted at the first hotel.
This trip is aimed at the experienced hiker in good physical shape and with mountain hiking experience.
The hikes are on average 7-8 hours per day, the altitude difference on average 1000-1300 m. The tour follows accessible paths, but also on uneven terrain, with some minor technical difficulties. The walking times given are indicative, they are average times that only take into account the duration of the actual walk without taking breaks into account. Depending on the weather conditions, the walking pace may also vary.
This tour has difficulty grade 3-4. Which means that most days are difficulty 3 and some days are difficulty 4.
Grade 3
Walking in hilly or mountainous terrain, with longer ascents and descents. You will walk 5-7 hours a day. Requires good fitness and good health, but no technical experience. Requires good footwear such as trekking or hiking boots.
Grade 4
Trekking with daily walks of 6-8 hours, often in difficult terrain and higher altitude. There will be longer ascents and descents. Requires endurance and strong knees and ankles. Requires good hiking boots and "outdoor" clothing. There will be major fluctuations in temperatures.
Read more about our Grading System
Here you can get an overview of the entire route and the elevation profile for each day. The data shows the data from the GPX-files related to the tour. Notice that the routes are sometimes updated, which means that there might be small variations.
Colors
Blue routes: The route as normal
Red routes: Variations/options (such as shortened or extended routes)
Travel Insurance In general we recommend that you are covered by a good travel insurance covering at least Medical Expenses, Illness, Personal Accident, Baggage and Repatriation. The customer is responsible to take the necessary travel insurance that covers these costs. Bering Travel, or our local partners, do not have any responsibility for our customers not being covered by a necessary travel insurance. You have to arrange your insurance in your home country.
It can be hard to plan your trip according to the weather, but to give an idea of the local climate, you can see the data below:
We are members of the Travel Guarantee Fund (nr. 2529) and have all available insurances. This covers you regardless of your nationality. Read more about that here.
Call our experts on weekdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Phone: +44 20 3936 1208
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