Cirque de Gavarnie
Cirque de Gavarnie
4.5
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- Eliza18 contributionsSumptuous site, but avoid donkey rentalMagnificent site starting from the village of Gavarnie. An easy 8 km round trip hike, to do with the family. Big downside on the rental of donkeys at the starting point, rather expensive - around ten poorly cared for and sad-looking donkeys, parked in a few square meters, with hooves far too long, to the point that they curve towards forward! I know what I'm talking about, I have a donkey that I groom regularly...Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 25 May 2024
- Nicolas B1 contributionBeautiful site to discover but parking far too expensiveThe site is beautiful. Nice hike to access the waterfalls. You need good shoes because a lot of rocks. Some very steep passages taking its time the round trip is done in 3 hours from the parking. Ah, parking! What a scam... 8 € to pay to put his car in a dusty field. It's abused.Visited July 2024Travelled with familyWritten 17 July 2024
- ThebestofKendellDenver, Colorado518 contributionsEasy Hike And Beautiful ViewsSuper easy and family friendly hike surrounded by beautiful nature. The hike itself to the hotel is pretty easy with a small incline. After the hotel if you continue up to the waterfall, it gets a bit harder due to the rocks and a small river crossing. Despite this, we saw tons of families doing it, so its not that complicated. I’d suggest wearing hiking shoes and sunscreen as most of the trail is exposed. We started around 8:30 a.m. and it was a perfect time to avoid huge crowds and capture better photos of the cirque. On our way back, around 11, there were tons of people. Parking is €8.Visited July 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 2 August 2024
- Virginie LLannion, France185 contributionsSuperb but too many peopleVery nice hike. Easy and very accessible way for families with children to the Pension (about 45min walk from the village. 1h indicated on the panels). Then we continued to the waterfall and it really gets tough! Almost climbing on the last climb to reach the foot of the waterfall!!! Another 45 minutes after the Pension. In between is possible if you decide to stop before the last climb. It took us 35-40 minutes to get off the Pension. We took a picnic downstairs from the Inn because the river allows to cool off. The water is beautiful. Only downside for this hike: way too many people!!!! A real highway! Less after Pension because it gets harder and harder. Parking in the village: 8€ per dayVisited August 2024Travelled with familyWritten 10 August 2024
- Maria Elena N5 contributionsNice but with family more challenging than a "simple walk"Beautiful experience. Of course "envy" those who take only an hour to get to the base of the waterfall since the route arrived before the hotel (about a Km before) becomes more challenging with more difficult terrain and slope, at least with family. After the hotel the route becomes an all uphill and quite slippery path. Step counter activated from parking at Gavarnie to circus (highest waterfall base) 23000 round trip steps. Anyway the spectacle of the waterfalls once arrived definitely pays off. Recommendation!Visited August 2024Travelled with familyWritten 16 August 2024
- EMMa BMerthyr Tydfil, United Kingdom34 contributionsGreat family walkStunning scenery and kids enjoyed walking in the patches of ice near the actual cirque . Walk from the hotel at base of the cirque to the waterfall was a bit steeper than I anticipated but in terms of Pyrénées walks it is relatively accessible . .Visited July 2024Travelled with familyWritten 18 August 2024
- ForticheFrance297 contributionsStunning and magnificent natural siteThe hamlet is well organized to accommodate many cars and thus preserve this sublime site. On the way to the circus some very nice shops. This walk is easy to the circus hotel near the waterfall Nevertheless without rushing it takes a good hour and then is much steeper trail for half an hour approaching the waterfall Not to be missed because this unique site is absolutely grandioseVisited August 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 18 August 2024
- Henri024Perigueux, France134 contributionsVery nice hikeVery nice hike in this majestic site. Very easy from the village of Gavarnie to the waterfall hotel. On the other hand then to get to the foot of the waterfall it is more complicated with a lot of pebbles and steep slope. In October, not many people and it is perfectVisited October 2024Travelled with familyWritten 30 October 2024
- Denis TreskanicaPozega, Croatia265 contributionsA hike to rememberOur visit to Cirque de Gavarnie trail was truly unforgettable. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site nestled in the French Pyrenees, we knew we were in for something special. We parked at parking spot near the touristic office of a Gavarnie village. There is also the Panoramique parking lot but village is closed to traffic after 9 AM. Before hitting the trail, we grabbed a few essentials from the small shop in the village. The 8 km loop trail, which took us about 2.5 hours to complete, was a moderate challenge but manageable for all ages. Following the path alongside a serene stream, we were constantly amazed by the beauty of the surrounding mountains and lush greenery. As we approached the majestic Gavarnie Waterfall—the tallest in mainland France at 422 meters—we were left in awe. Each viewpoint along the trail offered a unique and breathtaking perspective, making this hike an experience we’ll cherish for a long time.Visited July 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 27 December 2024
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4.5
1,321 reviews
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289
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annraph
Lyon, France402 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Leave early because if the weather is nice, there will be people on the trail and the paid parking lot will be full!
It’s true that at the beginning it’s a bit like the Champs Élysée, then with the gradual climb, it disperses…
Definitely worth the detour, the walk is accessible up to the hotel but access to the waterfall is difficult but you have to make the effort! Refreshing and splendid.
To return, continue the path from the waterfall to go around rather than retracing your steps.
Bring a good pair of walking shoes because it's slippery to access the waterfall.
Dogs are no longer allowed to access the waterfall. FYI.
It’s true that at the beginning it’s a bit like the Champs Élysée, then with the gradual climb, it disperses…
Definitely worth the detour, the walk is accessible up to the hotel but access to the waterfall is difficult but you have to make the effort! Refreshing and splendid.
To return, continue the path from the waterfall to go around rather than retracing your steps.
Bring a good pair of walking shoes because it's slippery to access the waterfall.
Dogs are no longer allowed to access the waterfall. FYI.

Written 4 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Véro B
Frontignan, France41 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
August 31. Average weather at the start then fortunately beautiful sunshine in the afternoon which allowed us to enjoy the site. Absolutely grandiose, especially if you go to the end of the large, very impressive waterfall. Apart from the last part up to the waterfall where it climbs steeply through the pebbles and rocks without a predefined path (you also have to be very careful on the descent on this part for 5/10 min) there is no difficulty. Hike that can be done without any problem with children from the city's paid parking lot (come early to find a space). You can stop whenever you want (at the cirque and waterfalls hotel the view is already great). Magnificent landscapes on the way punctuated by cows, sheep and sheep. We hear their bells and the sound of the flowing river in addition to the pleasure for the eyes. We stayed 5 hours with the hike, all the photo breaks, the picnic and the snack.

Written 30 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wax2010
Le Havre, France1,589 contributions
Aug 2023
Come early to be able to park easily, the path to the refuge is quite physical on certain passages. But we are in the shade when we start the hike around 9:30 a.m. After the best is to continue towards the waterfall by taking the path on the left (the last climb is very physical because you slip on the small stones) and return to the starting point by crossing in front of the waterfall to use the path opposite who is in the sun. Unfortunately the waterfall remains in the shade all morning. Many picnic spots along the stream on the way back to the parking lot. On the other hand, when you charge 7 euros for parking, you provide soap in the public toilets...

Written 27 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Camille Neveu
Lorient, France57 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
The circus remains breathtaking but avoid renting horses or donkeys.
Several things to say unfortunately... Firstly, we arrived in Gavarnie 2 days ago and we decided to go and find out about booking walks, we were told that no reservations are taken, but that It's better to come in the morning. We returned 2 days later at 9am (opening), we were the first to arrive, but apparently someone else had already booked even though no reservation was taken?!?! So we waited 2 hours before going there. A little disgusted we still went for the ride. Being a rider and having horses, I will give a personal opinion, the horses take several 2-hour rides per day, they do not necessarily have water each time and are not unsaddled, the horses are in full sun and the equipment is not adapted (saddle, net, carpet) to their size, the same for donkeys. However, the horses are calm, but it is complicated for them at certain times, we had to take breaks to leave them a little alone. In short, I advise you to go elsewhere for the respect of horses, I regret having spent my money there.
Several things to say unfortunately... Firstly, we arrived in Gavarnie 2 days ago and we decided to go and find out about booking walks, we were told that no reservations are taken, but that It's better to come in the morning. We returned 2 days later at 9am (opening), we were the first to arrive, but apparently someone else had already booked even though no reservation was taken?!?! So we waited 2 hours before going there. A little disgusted we still went for the ride. Being a rider and having horses, I will give a personal opinion, the horses take several 2-hour rides per day, they do not necessarily have water each time and are not unsaddled, the horses are in full sun and the equipment is not adapted (saddle, net, carpet) to their size, the same for donkeys. However, the horses are calm, but it is complicated for them at certain times, we had to take breaks to leave them a little alone. In short, I advise you to go elsewhere for the respect of horses, I regret having spent my money there.

Written 23 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marco
Doncaster, UK18 contributions
July 2022 • Couples
Spectacular scenery, a beautiful valley with quite a long walk from the village to the Cirque. The cirque is a amphitheatre of rock, with mountains of 10,000 feet or more surrounding you. There is also the highest waterfall in France but I wouldn't recommend walking all the way up to it, and this could be dangerous for inexperienced walkers
Written 24 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stéph
World6 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
We came to Gavarnie in August 2023.
Paid parking 7 euros, ok if the site is exceptional given that it is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site, we go there.
The parking lot is located in a field, not great, people are parked haphazardly, I don't even know how some of them were able to leave....
We continue our walk, arriving in the center on foot, we look for a toilet for my daughter. But what a horror when we arrived there, public toilets not at all maintained (it was 2 p.m. when we arrived). There is no more toilet paper, the bins are full and a foul smell, dirty sanitary napkins lying around, shit in the toilets. It's disgusting.
Why do we pay for parking is to have a minimum of services anyway.
We continue our walk towards the site.
We don't regret our hike, the site is great. We stopped at the hotel, the children didn't want it anymore.
Paid parking 7 euros, ok if the site is exceptional given that it is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site, we go there.
The parking lot is located in a field, not great, people are parked haphazardly, I don't even know how some of them were able to leave....
We continue our walk, arriving in the center on foot, we look for a toilet for my daughter. But what a horror when we arrived there, public toilets not at all maintained (it was 2 p.m. when we arrived). There is no more toilet paper, the bins are full and a foul smell, dirty sanitary napkins lying around, shit in the toilets. It's disgusting.
Why do we pay for parking is to have a minimum of services anyway.
We continue our walk towards the site.
We don't regret our hike, the site is great. We stopped at the hotel, the children didn't want it anymore.

Written 31 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Seb M
Mende, France222 contributions
Sept 2023 • Friends
A great spectacle after a few km of walking. Of course, parking costs but this contributes to the maintenance of the village which welcomes many tourists. It is not just up to residents through their taxes to pay for the maintenance of parking lots, roads, paths... a bit of common sense especially since the rate is for the day.

Written 19 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
anthonyu471
Angers, France81 contributions
July 2023 • Family
Beautiful and easily accessible location. It is best to arrive early in the morning to have a chance of finding a space in the paid parking lot. The path to get there is well laid out with a few climbs but nothing very difficult. The hardest part is at the end if you want to see the waterfall, the climb is really steep, it is worth it. For our part, we returned via the path to the right of the hotel which offers superb views, but more difficult at the beginning than the "tourist" path on the way out. A must-see place.

Written 1 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pawel & Remi
London, UK53 contributions
Sept 2021 • Couples
Have been twice to this wonderful place. The cirque is very impressive and the wider falls took my breath away. Better to visit in May/June as the waterfalls seems to be more intensive (snow melts from the top peaks) than the other visit I had in September (still very nice). Not too difficult access, my mother in law at her 60s managed the hike well.
Written 31 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AlbertSalichs
Manresa, Spain24,073 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
Cirque de Gavarnie is a wonderful natural amphitheater located near in the homonymous town, in French Pyrenees. In fact, you can do a great walk from the town to the amphitheater. In fact, we did this excursion with all family (included my 4 years daughter and she enjoyed a lot). In the amphitheater there is a high and amazing waterfall and the views from here are very nice. The hiking is about 3 hours go and return. During almost all the excursion, it is possible to see the waterfall and almost at the end there is a hotel/restaurant, where you can relax and eat or drink something. In the last part of the trekking, you can arrive to the buttom part of the waterfall. Amazing! Top in Pyrenees!
(See also Office de Tourisme de Gavarnie and Hotel du Cirque Cafe & Restaurant)
(See also Office de Tourisme de Gavarnie and Hotel du Cirque Cafe & Restaurant)
Written 6 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Entre el 6 y 10 de abril, ¿Es frecuente encontrar nieve? ¿Se requiere material para hacer las rutas?
Gracias
Written 10 March 2023
Hoeveel km is het vanaf de parkeerplaats naar de waterval?
Written 3 April 2022
Se puede hacer la ruta del circo de Gavarnie con perro? Tenia entendido que estaba prohibido. Quiero ir con mi perra , somos de Valencia, no quisiera hacerme la ilusión e ir allí y encontrarme con la sorpresa.Gracias
Written 18 August 2020
Una vez llegada a la hostelería, no puedes hacer ninguna otra ruta, solo te queda volver.
Written 24 August 2020
Can we take our dogs with us on the walk to see the cirque de Gavarnie
Written 10 June 2020
Bonjour, est il possible d'y en mener mon chien ? J'y suis déjà allée mais sans toutou. Merci pour votre réponse
Written 17 May 2020
Les chiens sont autorisés tenus en laisse jusqu'à l'hôtel à l'entrée du cirque mais pas dedans
Written 5 August 2020
Suggestions where to stay in the area. We will be driving from Toulouse on 12 April 2020 (Easter Sunday) and plan to visit Pau, but would it be advised to rather stay overnight in Tarbes or Loudes to have enough time this? Will the fact we might be in the area on Easter Sunday have an impact on what will be available?
Written 21 February 2020
Sorry. I think I misunderstood your question. Thought you were asking in order to see Gavarnie. We loved the scenery and villages nearer to the mountains but after rereading your question, it seems you may need more time nearer to Pau.
Written 21 February 2020

Sals77
Sydney, Australia
Are there any organised walks that cover here, and accessible from Biarritz (our starting point) / looking for an organised hike for about 6 days.
Written 24 November 2019
In the town of Luz-Saint-Sauveur about 2 hours from Birittz and 30 mins from the Cirque de Gavarni is the Beuro de guides. They can help you out with guided tours from a few hours to days by local guides. They would be my best advice for this. But also it depends on the time of year you are going as in winter the cirque is inaccessible due to snow.
Written 25 November 2019
Bonjour,
Est ce accessible au mois de janvier ? Ou trop enneigé ?
Peut on faire une randonnée en raquettes ?
Written 20 November 2019
No he visitado la zona en esa época del año pero seguramente tendrá su encanto! Un saludo
Written 22 November 2019
Claudine G
Dingli, Malta
Hi, can the walk be done with a stroller?
If not all the way....how far can be reached with a stroller?
Written 27 July 2019
Hi, no the path isn't made for a stroller, to uneven, some times sandy, some times rocky and some times quite steep. With a stroller you can walk from the parking to the area with restaurants, bistro's and shops and then further along the little river until where the pavement stops, about 1 km from the parking area.
Written 27 July 2019
Hello,
yes I think so, if you stay on the road till the end. If you go into the mountain it could be difficult, but on the main road, it should work.
Written 1 September 2019
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