What to do · Cauterets
The other route from Pont d'Espagne, longer and quieter than Gaube: about 2 h 30 of walking to the Wallon-Marcadau refuge, at 1,865 m. Bring a picnic. From the refuge start the loop of the Nère, Pourtet and Embarrat lakes and the climb to the Cambalès lakes.
As a familyWith teenagers
Round off the plan
What to order: A brasserie dish on the terrace, on the way back from Lac de Gaube.
What to order: The garbure, the thick soup of cabbage and pulses from Béarn and Bigorre.
Why we like it: Ten-room family hotel inside the national park, beside the Pont d'Espagne waterfalls and five minutes from the Gaube chairlift; open in summer and winter.
Why we like it: Three-star campsite with 100 grass pitches beside the river, a 20-minute walk from the centre of Cauterets, with a free bus to the village, chalets and a motorhome area.
Geocaliahttps://www.geocalia.com/en/france/occitanie/cauterets/things-to-do/marcadau-valley