Located at the gateway to the Pyrenees National Park—the oldest and most visited of France’s nine national parks—the Pont d’Espagne (1,496 m) is a protected natural area where visitors can explore stunning lakes and waterfalls.
The Pont d’Espagne takes its name from the old mule track that once connected France to Spain. The bridge itself dates back to 1886.
It provides access to two major valleys well worth exploring on foot: the Marcadau Valley and the Gaube Valley, whose lake is also accessible by chairlift. Celebrated by the Romantics and by Victor Hugo, Lake Gaube is dominated by the north face of the Vignemale, the highest peak (3,298 m) of the mountain range bordering Spain.
On the road between Cauterets and the Pont d’Espagne, numerous magnificent views of the waterfalls unfold—particularly spectacular in the spring during the snowmelt. You can see Sarah Bernhardt Island on the Gave, where the whimsical actress had set up a caravan to use as a vacation spot.
The Pont d’Espagne area offers a full range of winter activities for all skill levels and interests within the exceptional setting of the Pyrenees National Park. Sledding enthusiasts can enjoy a safe, free sledding run on the Clot plateau, while a 6-km marked snowshoe trail allows visitors to explore snow-covered waterfalls and forests.
Cross-country skiers have access to 36 km of groomed trails spread across the Plateaux du Clot and du Cayan, with the option to try biathlon. For beginner-level downhill skiing, two green runs and a family-friendly blue run round out this diverse offering.
Access to Pont d’Espagne
From Cauterets, head toward La Raillère (1,135 m) (see the Lutour and Cerisey waterfalls) and park in the designated parking lot at Pont d’Espagne. From there, you can take the “green” Puntas gondolas to the Clot plateau and then take the chairlift to Lake Gaube.
Access to Lake Gaube
Trail starting from Pont d’Espagne or the chairlift. A classic walk for all the romantics who frequented the “waters” of Cauterets, Lake Gaube is accessible to all hikers (1-hour walk). The waters of Lake Gaube reflect the highest peak in the Pyrenees: the Pic du Vignemale (3,298 m).
This high-altitude lake offers exceptional emerald waters with the Vignemale—the highest peak in the French Pyrenees—as a backdrop, majestically reflected in the lake.
