At the gateway to the Parc National des Pyrénées, the oldest and most visited of France's 9 national parks, the Pont d'Espagne (1,496 m) is a protected corner of nature, offering splendid lakes and waterfalls.
It provides access to two major valleys well worth exploring on foot: the Marcadau valley and the Gaube valley, with its lake also accessible by chairlift. Celebrated by the Romantics and Victor Hugo, Lac de Gaube is dominated by the north face of the Vignemale, the highest peak (3,298m) in the Spanish border chain.
On the road between Cauterets and Pont d'Espagne, there are many magnificent views of the spectacular waterfalls, especially in spring when the snow melts. You can see the Sarah Bernhardt Island on the Gave, where the whimsical actress had set up a caravan as a holiday resort.
How to get to Pont d'Espagne
From Cauterets, head towards La Raillère (1,135 m), (see the Lutour and Cerisey waterfalls) and park in the Pont d'Espagne parking lot. From here, you can take the "green" Puntas gondola to the Plateau du Clot and the chairlift to Lac de Gaube.
Access to Lac de Gaube
Path from the Pont d'Espagne or chairlift. A classic walk for all the romantics who frequented the "waters" of Cauterets, Lac de Gaube is within easy reach of all walkers (1-hour walk). The waters of Lac de Gaube reflect the highest peak in the Pyrenees: Pic du Vignemale (3,298 m.).
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