France - GR10 ➤ Section 4 - Cauterets til Luchon
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".
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.
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 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.
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.
Walking time: approx. 8 hours or approx. 7½ hours
Distance: 25km or 22km
+1235 / -1470 or +1190 / -1410
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.
Walking time: approx. 4½ hours or approx. 5½ hours
Distance: 12km or 15km
+990 / -470 or +1010 / -495
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.
Walking time: approx. 7½ hours or approx. 6 hours
Distance: 19km or 15.5km
+1210 / -840 or +1065 / -680
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.
Walking time: approx. 6½ hours or approx. 8 hours
Distance: 19,5km or 22km
+515 / -1520 or +875 / -1905
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.
Walking time: approx. 8 hours
Distance: 17km
+1680 / -1065
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.
Walking time: approx. 7½ hours
Distance: 19.5km
+645 / -1970
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
- 2 nights in mountain huts in dormitories (day 4 and 6 - can be upgraded: see practical info below)
- 4 nights in hostel dormitories (day 1,2 and 3 - can be upgraded: see practical info below)
- Breakfast every day
- Dinner every day
- Carefully elaborated route descriptions maps and other materials
- Luggage transfer between accommodations (read more below)
- 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 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. This costs 245 euros (weekdays and Saturdays) and 300 euros (Sundays and public holidays) for 1-4 people. Please contact us if you would like this included.
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)
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 and 3)
- 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, 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 is one day 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 6, when you will have to carry necessities for the nights, as you will be without your luggage that night.
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.
The tour is grad 3-4 wich is elaborated on below.
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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Phone: +44 20 3936 1208
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