2 Day Pyrenees Itinerary: Hiking, Nature & Good Eats

Morning

• 7:00 AM – Breakfast in Lourdes
Stop in at a cafe and pick yourself up some breakfast and coffee to start the day!
• 7:30 AM – Drive to Lac du Gaube Trailhead
~1 hour (40 km) through stunning mountain scenery.
• 8:30 AM – Hike to Lac du Gaube
Moderate trail, 3-4 hour round trip, but can be extended if you choose to go past the lake and to the mountain base. Set your Google Maps to “Parking du Puntas” (or Pont d’Espagne if that doesn’t appear). Parking costs €8 for the day, though there are a few free roadside pullouts we saw cars parking in (before getting to the lot) if you want to avoid the fee. From the parking lot, you can either hike up or take the gondola + chairlift combo, which gets you within about 15 minutes of the lake (check the booth for prices). At the parking lot, take a look at the map and plan your route (I always take a photo of the map before setting out on my hikes)! Whether on the way up or down, make a quick detour to Pont d’Espagne. The short trail leads you to a gorgeous arched stone bridge from 1886, with a roaring waterfall rushing beneath it. Don’t skip it!

For more detailed information on the Lac du Gaube hike, check out my Pyrenees Travel Guide here.

Afternoon

• 12:30 PM – Lunch at l’Abri du Benques, Cauterets
With tables on the patio sitting literally over the rushing river, this is the ideal post-hike stop. If you don’t want to stop for lunch, I’d suggest stopping here for a coffee or drink on the patio at the very least.
• 2:00 PM – Explore Cauterets Town
Walk the charming streets, browse ski shops, check out the cool architecture and stop at La Crêperie de l’Odet for a late-afternoon crepe. Rustic and cozy, it feels like a meal at my Oma’s.

Late Afternoon

• 3:00 PM – Scenic Drive Back to Lourdes
~1-2 hours with stops (40 km). Stop at lookouts for photos or explore different routes and viewpoints.

Evening

Optional — Exploration in Lourdes
If you arrive with energy and time to spare, take a stroll through Lourdes before dinner to admire architecture and views:
• Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary
• Church of Saint Bernadette
• Pic du Jer Funicular (€13.50) for 360° panoramic views
• Château Fort of Lourdes (perched on a rocky hill, explore history, gardens, and vistas)
• 7:00 PM – Dinner at Pizzeria L’Angelus, Lourdes
Try the Polpette al ragù pasta, then indulge in the chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream.
After a big day, head home and get some sleep!

Morning

• 7:00 AM – Breakfast in Lourdes
Walk to the Halles de Lourdes to pick up breakfast and supplies for lunch (charcuterie or sandwich ingredients). If that feels like too much work, stop by Au Pain Lourdes for breakfast and a panini to go (opens 7:00 or 7:30 depending on the day, closed Tuesdays).
• 7:45 AM – Drive to Cirque de Gavarnie
~1 hour 20 minutes (53 km). Put “Parking Cirque de Gavarnie (payant)” in Google Maps. The mountain roads are stunning but save stops for the drive back to beat the crowds! Drive carefully on winding stretches. Near the village, the road is blocked to vehicles; follow traffic around the corner to the large parking lots (€8/day, pay by credit card). From there, walk through the village along the straight road to reach the base of the hike.
• 9:30 AM – Hike the Cirque de Gavarnie
A moderate trail, round trip 3–4 hours, depending on the route. See my Cirque de Gavarnie guide for all the details. Marvel at waterfalls, cliffs, and panoramic views. Bring water, your lunch, and a camera, and take your time soaking in the scenery.

Afternoon

• 1:00 PM –Post-hike gelato 🍦
Post-hike gelato is basically mandatory when it’s basically still on the trail right? Stop at Praline et Marguerite, the salted caramel in a crisp waffle cone is next-level delicious.
• 2:30 PM – Drive Back to Lourdes
~2+ hours (53 km) with optional stops. Stop in any villages that look interesting or lookouts along the way for photos. Take your time as you have the rest of the day to explore and relax. Pont Napoléon is a beautiful 70m high bridge near Luz-Saint-Sauveur with views into the lush and steep gorge on both sides. Apparently bungy jumping happens off this bridge at times!

Evening

• 5:00 PM – Relax at Your Accommodation
If you’re anything like me you may need some horizontal time to freshen up and unwind after two full days in the mountains.