Pont d'Espagne Waterfall Spectacular Pyrenees

A natural gem From roaring waterfalls to the peaceful Lake Gaube...

Situated on the edge of the Pyrenees National Park, Cauterets-Pont d’Espagne is renowned for its spectacular scenery, its many waterfalls, the emerald-coloured Lake Gaube and the Pic du Vignemale as a backdrop. It’s the perfect place to explore nature, go hiking and enjoy the great outdoors!

The Pont d'Espagne Waterfall Time for a selfie!

The Pont d’Espagne, dating from 1886, takes its name from the old mule track that once linked France to Spain. The site is particularly well known for its series of waterfalls, which can be admired in both summer and winter. The most famous is the Pont d’Espagne waterfall. Comprising several tiers and surrounded by fir trees, it flows beneath the stone bridge, the Pont d’Espagne. It offers a natural spectacle that is not to be missed.

A 5-minute walk from the car park.

Hike from the Pont d'Espagne Our favourites!

From the Pont d’Espagne, set off on some of the most beautiful walks in the Pyrenees…

Lake Gaube

Take the Gaube chairlift to reach the lake at your leisure. From up there, you’ll see the impressive silhouette of the Vignemale, the highest peak in the French Pyrenees (3,298 m).

A 15-minute chairlift ride to Lac de Gaube (chairlift 10 minutes from the car park) via the Pont d’Espagne waterfall.
You can also hike along the GR10 to Lac de Gaube in 1 hour 15 minutes.
The Hostellerie de Gaube is open in summer only.

👉 Paid car park (€8 per day).
👉 Ski lifts open in winter during school holidays and during the summer season from 8 May to 10 May (early opening), and open 7 days a week from 14 May to 27 September.
🐶 Dogs on a lead are permitted only as far as Lake Gaube via the ski lifts.

Buy your ticket for the Gaube chairlift

The Plateau du Clot

An accessible walk that takes you right into the heart of a peaceful mountain setting. In summer, you’ll walk past waterfalls and lush green meadows, whilst in winter the landscape transforms into a snow-covered wonderland , perfect for a gentle outing on foot, on snowshoes or on cross-country skis. Children will also find a toboggan run and a ski lift for their first taste of skiing.

A 20-minute walk from the car park.
Snowshoe and cross-country ski trails in winter.

👉 Paid car park (€8 per day).
👉 Free tobogganing and snowshoeing pass – cross-country skiing pass available for a fee.
🐶 Dogs on a lead are permitted only as far as the Plateau du Clot in summer.

Buy your Nordic pass

Focus on... the Iberian ibex!

In 2014, 100 years after they became extinct, 253 of these bovids were released into the French Pyrenees, including 148 in the Pyrenees National Park. Today, the population numbers around 400 individuals spread between Lourdes and Gavarnie, in Cauterets and in the Aspe Valley.

Ibexes are sometimes quite unafraid: it is often easy to approach them at relatively close range. Despite this often surprising behaviour, certain rules must be followed to respect the peace and quiet of the animals you are observing:

take a pair of binoculars to observe them from a distance
keep your dog on a lead to avoid frightening or injuring the animals
leave your drone at home; the ibex’s main predator is the golden eagle, and to the eagle, anything coming from the sky is a threat!

More info

Need some information? And here it is!

Itinerary

From Luz: a 45-minute drive

Car park

From €8

Practice

Shuttle bus from the village of Cauterets

More info

Cauterets website

Explore the PyreneesA map of the area

Pont d'EspagneSite map

Other waterfalls impressive sights in the surrounding area

Around Cauterets, there are other waterfalls that are also well worth a visit:

As you head up towards the Pont d’Espagne, stop off at the Cerisey waterfall to enjoy this easily accessible natural spectacle.

Set off to explore the wild and refreshing Fruitière Valley, and as you follow the Gave du Lutour, make your way to Lac d’Estom, a 2½-hour walk away (dogs on a lead are permitted from the Plateau de la Fruitière to Lac d’Estom).

So many perfect spots to let yourself be amazed by the power and beauty of water in the mountains!