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Hiking the Lac de Gaube, Hautes-Pyrénées, France
The Lac de Gaube hike is one of the most rewarding walks in the French Hautes-Pyrénées, combining waterfalls, forest trails and a turquoise mountain lake beneath the Vignemale massif.
Starting at Pont d’Espagne, the route can be walked in full or shortened using the gondola and chairlift, making it suitable for a wide range of ages and abilities. In this guide, we cover the walking route, parking, difficulty, facilities, transport options and our practical tips for planning your visit.
Last visited: July 2026 (first visited September 2018)
We first hiked to Lac de Gaube in September 2018, during our first road trip through the French Pyrenees. The waterfalls at Pont d’Espagne, the climb through the forest and the sudden first view of the lake made it one of the most memorable walks of that trip.
Eight years later, in July 2026, we returned to see if it was as beautiful as we remembered. It was. The water was still an extraordinary shade of turquoise, Vignemale dominated the skyline and the walk beyond the lake was every bit as rewarding as the first time.
We’ve updated this guide following our latest visit with current information on parking, the gondola and chairlift, the walking route, facilities and our latest first-hand tips.
What is Lac de Gaube?
Lac de Gaube is one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in the French Pyrenees, sitting at an altitude of 1,725 metres within the Pyrenees National Park. Fed by glacial meltwater and overlooked by the 3,298-metre summit of Vignemale, the lake is famous for its vivid turquoise colour and dramatic mountain setting.
Although it’s one of the best-known hikes in the Hautes-Pyrénées, the walk is accessible for most people thanks to its well-maintained path and relatively gentle climb. Whether you choose to walk from Pont d’Espagne or take the chairlift for part of the route, the views more than reward the effort.
Lac de Gaube Walk at a Glance
Distance: 8.4 km
Elevation Gain: ~350 m or more if you wish
Time: 3 to 4 hours
Route: Linear
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Is the Lac de Gaube hike worth it? Yes. We’ve completed the Lac de Gaube hike twice, first in September 2018 and again in July 2026, and we’d happily do it again. Although it’s one of the most popular walks in the French Pyrenees, it more than lives up to its reputation. The combination of the vivid turquoise lake, the towering Vignemale massif reflected in the water and the relatively easy walking make it one of the best hikes in the region.
Is this your first time visiting France? Get all the information you need in our France Travel Guide, including what to pack, the best time of year to go, getting there and practical tips to help you have the best trip!
Lac de Gaube Tip and Info
Lac de Gaube Weather
May to October is the best time for hiking in the Pyrenees mountains of France. For a less crowded hike, head for the Lac de Gaube in May, June or September.
Outside of these times, there may well be snow below 2,500m and the weather can become very changeable. Only experienced hikers should head out between November and April.
Whenever you hike the Pyrenees, check the weather before setting off and make sure you have appropriate clothing for the forecast.
Equipment
We would advise you wear hiking boots for this walk as may of the trails are rocky. Poles may be helpful if you walk around the lake or continue along the GR10 long-distance trail towards the Cascade Esplumouse Vignemale massif
Always carry a waterproof layer and warm dry clothes. Take a packed lunch or snack and plenty of water, as well as a sunscreen and hat in hot weather, and a mobile phone.
By car: Lac de Gaube is reached from Pont d’Espagne, around 8km from the spa town of Cauterets in the Hautes-Pyrénées. Pont d’Espagne is approximately a 45-minute drive from Lourdes and around 2 hours from Pau.
By train and bus: The nearest railway station is Lourdes, with direct TGV services from Paris taking around 4 hours 30 minutes. From Lourdes, regional buses run to Cauterets, where you can catch the local shuttle to Pont d’Espagne during the summer season. Outside peak months, you’ll usually need a taxi for the final stretch.
Parking
There is a large paid car park at Pont d’Espagne, the starting point for the Lac de Gaube hike. Parking costs €8 per day for cars, motorbikes and motorhomes.
In summer, the car park fills quickly, so it’s worth arriving early in the morning if you want to avoid the busiest part of the day. Overnight parking isn’t permitted, so motorhomes and campervans will need to stay elsewhere before driving up for the hike.
Family Friendly
Lac de Gaube is a great option for families. While the full walk from Pont d’Espagne may be a little long for younger children, the gondola and chairlift followed by the short walk to the lake makes it much more accessible.
The path around the lake is mostly level, alebit it rocky, allowing families to enjoy the spectacular scenery without tackling any steep climbs. If you continue beyond the lake towards the Oulettes de Gaube valley, the GR10 trail becomes more challenging and is better suited to older children and experienced walkers.
Facilities
Pont d’Espagne has excellent visitor facilities, including a large information centre, café, restaurant and public toilets.
At Lac de Gaube, there’s a mountain refuge and restaurant where you can stop for food or a drink while enjoying the lake views. Basic public toilets are also available nearby. They can be busy during the summer, so taking your own toilet paper is a good idea!
Crowd Levels
Lac de Gaube is one of the most popular destinations in the French Pyrenees, and it’s easy to see why. The gondola and chairlift makes the lake accessible to visitors of all ages, so the area around the lakeshore and the refuge can become very busy during July and August.
We recommend starting early if you want to enjoy a quieter walk. The crowds thin out considerably once you continue beyond the lake towards the Oulettes de Gaube valley, where the scenery becomes even more dramatic and the trails noticeably quieter.
Other Things to Know
The Vallee de Gaube is in the Pyrenees National Park. This means strict regulations apply to protect the nature and wildlife in the area and help visitors respect the national park and its surroundings:
Lac de Gaube Map
How to use this map – Use your fingers (or computer mouse) to zoom in and out. Click or touch the icons to get more info about a place, and click the arrow in the box top left to open the index. To add to your own Google Maps account, click the star next to the title of the map.
Lac de Gaube Hike
We’ve completed the Lac de Gaube hike twice, first in September 2018 and again in July 2026, and it’s every bit as beautiful as we remembered. The combination of waterfalls, ancient forest, crystal-clear water and towering mountain scenery makes this one of our favourite walks in the French Pyrenees.
From the large car park at Pont d’Espagne, walk past the visitor centre and follow the main path uphill. Within a few minutes you’ll reach the Hôtel du Pont d’Espagne, where several powerful waterfalls crash together beneath the historic Pont d’Espagne stone bridge. It’s worth taking a short detour to admire the bridge, which once formed part of an important trading route between France and Spain, before returning to the main trail.
Cross the main bridge and follow the signs towards Lac de Gaube. The path joins the GR10, the famous long-distance trail that stretches the length of the Pyrenees from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, and is marked with the familiar red and white waymarks.
The first section climbs steadily through beautiful beech and pine woodland. Although it’s uphill, the path is well maintained and easy to follow, winding between enormous boulders and alongside rushing mountain streams. We found ourselves stopping regularly, not because the climb was difficult, but because there was always another waterfall or viewpoint worth admiring.
As the trees begin to thin, the scenery opens up dramatically. Ahead, the 3,298-metre summit of Vignemale dominates the valley, while waterfalls tumble down the surrounding cliffs. One of the things we love most about this walk is that you don’t actually see the lake until you’re almost beside it. Then, quite suddenly, the brilliant turquoise water appears between the trees.
At 1,725 metres above sea level, Lac de Gaube is one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in the French Pyrenees. On a calm day, the surrounding peaks are perfectly reflected in the water, creating one of the most photographed views in the region. It’s the perfect place to stop for a picnic, dip your feet in the icy water and simply enjoy the scenery for a while.
If you have the time and energy, we highly recommend continuing beyond the lake. The trail follows the southern shoreline before climbing gently towards the Cascade d’Esplumouse and the Oulettes de Gaube valley. This extension adds around 3km and 250 metres of ascent but rewards you with even bigger mountain views and far fewer people. Although there are a few rocky sections, the climb is gradual and never feels overly demanding.
Many walkers turn around at the waterfall, making this a fantastic full-day hike. More experienced hikers can continue towards the Refuge des Oulettes de Gaube beneath the north face of Vignemale, or tackle longer alpine routes deeper into the Pyrenees. If you’re planning to stay overnight at the refuge, it’s worth checking opening dates and booking in advance during the summer season.
If you’d prefer a shorter walk, you can combine the gondola and chairlift to reduce both the distance and the climb. The gondola leaves from the Pont d’Espagne car park and takes you to the lower station at the Hôtel du Pont d’Espagne. From there, it’s a flat five-minute walk to the chairlift, which carries you most of the remaining distance towards Lac de Gaube. From the top chairlift station, it’s an easy, well-signposted 30-minute walk along a mostly level path to the lake.
If you’re happy to walk a little further and save some money, skip the gondola. It’s only around a 10-minute walk from the Pont d’Espagne car park to the Hôtel du Pont d’Espagne, where you can join the chairlift instead.
That said, unless mobility is an issue or you’re short on time, we’d recommend walking from Pont d’Espagne. The waterfalls, forest and mountain scenery make the approach part of the experience, and we’d happily do the full walk again.
Nearby Pyrenees Hiking Trails to Explore
How to Hike Mont Ne & Lac de Bareilles
Cirque de Gavarnie: Our Guide to France’s Most Spectacular Walk
How to Hike Pic de Tentes & Port de Boucharo
How to Hike the Circo de Soaso via Faja Pelay – Ordesa Valley
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