Hike: Pont d'Espagne, Lac de Gaube, Refuge des Oulettes

In the heart of the National Park, classified as a Grand Site of Occitanie,  the Pont d'Espagne and the Lac de Gaube are wonders to see absolutely around Cauterets .

This hike in the Gaube valley will take you to the foot of the highest peak in the French Pyrenees, the Vignemale peak.

You will be charmed by this unspoiled nature, radiant with light in summer, crystalline in winter under its blanket of snow. 

What are you going to see during this hike?

From the main footbridge, you first admire the famous Pont d'Espagne : an old stone bridge (built in 1886) vestige of a pastoral route through which trade with Spain was once carried out.

In a thunder of foam, this bridge marks the birth of the Gave de Jéret , at the confluence of the Gave du Marcadau and the Gave de Gauve .

On your way up to Lake Gaube, stop at Lake Huats , formed by the Gave river which spreads out here thanks to a small plateau.

Bordered by a large peat bog teeming with life, you will find traces of wild animals .

Don't forget your binoculars: on the sloping meadows facing the Huats, and further up towards the Oulettes refuge, you may spot marmots and chamois .

The jewel of this hike is Lake Gaube , after an approach walk through the forest which makes its discovery even more fantastic.

A wonderful site in every season: in summer, its azure blue reflects the surrounding peaks; in winter under the snow, it is a vast immaculate expanse, contrasting with the terrain and the forest.

The lake is overlooked to the east by Pic Mayouret (2688m), to the northwest by Pic de Gaube (2377m) and to the southeast by the grand Pic des Paloumères (2720m). In the background, the Vignemale massif, the highest peak in the French Pyrenees (3298m).

By extending the hike, you reach the Oulettes refuge which offers a magnificent view of the north face of the Vignemale and its 800-meter wall.

The word "oulettes" means "small pots," an allusion to the topography of the site.
The foot of the north face of Vignemale forms a small basin in which the Oulettes de Gaube glacier , in which impressive crevasses can be seen.

Access

To reach the Puntas plateau, 7 km from Cauterets, you can drive (large paid parking lot) or take a shuttle from Cauterets, or even walk along the waterfall trail .
Depending on weather conditions, access is possible in winter, under snow, on foot or with snowshoes.

Itinerary

The route follows the GR10 (red and white markings) which passes by the Gaube lake and then climbs to the Oulettes refuge.

Once past the Puntas building, take the path on the right, which follows the Gave de Gaube river.
Just before the Pont d'Espagne waterfall, head towards the lake, climbing through the forest, always alongside the river, crossing several streams along the way.

Emerging from the forest at 1666m, a short detour leads to a plateau where the small Lac des Huats lies.
The ascent continues through the forest, emerging 15 minutes before reaching the lake's shores. From there, you can walk along the right side of the lake, but it's not possible to circumnavigate it completely.

The descent to the Pont d'Espagne is via the same route as the ascent.

Duration and difficulty

To Lac de Gaube (1725m): allow 1 hour 15 minutes and 265m of elevation gain from the Puntas parking area (1460m). The trail is relatively easy and well-marked, but has some fairly high steps.
For those who have difficulty climbing, the best option is to take the Puntas gondola followed by the Lac de Gaube chairlift, which brings you to within 15 minutes of the lake.
To the Oulettes refuge (2151m) : allow an additional 1 hour 15 minutes and 430m of elevation gain on a rocky trail from Lac de Gaube. The total round trip from the Puntas parking area takes 5 hours, excluding breaks.

Variants for large walkers

From La Raillère, or even from the center of Cauterets: reach Pont d'Espagne via the famous waterfall trail .
From Pont d'Espagne: take the Marcadau Valley lakes circuit , which leads to the Embarrat, Pourtet, and Nère lakes.
From the Oulettes refuge: reach Lake Estom via the Col d'Araillé pass.