📷 JLPC, CC BY-SA 3.0Pont d’Espagne
Cauterets, France
A series of waterfalls where two torrents meet above Cauterets, and the start of the walk or chairlift to the Lac de Gaube. The road ends at a paid car park; a shuttle runs in peak season.
The Pont d’Espagne lies at about 1,500 m in the Pyrenees National Park, some 7 km above Cauterets. The stone bridge spans the Gave de Marcadau where it meets the Gave de Gaube, and once linked France and Spain. The waterfall is about five minutes’ walk from the car park; a longer waterfall trail from Cauterets covers 11 km (round trip), 550 m of ascent and takes about 4 hours.
The walk to the Lac de Gaube, at 1,725 m, is 6 km there and back with 250 m of ascent and takes about 2.5 hours; you can take the chairlift for the return. From the lake there are views of the Vignemale massif; the chairlift plus a walk of about 15 minutes is quicker than the GR10 route (around 1 hour 15 minutes). Many more walks start here, for example through the Marcadau valley to the Refuge Wallon-Marcadau. The lifts run mainly in summer; in winter the area becomes a Nordic ski area with cross-country trails, snowshoe routes and a sledging slope. Access is free, while the car park and lifts are charged; a shuttle bus runs in summer (as of October 2026).
- Nearest town
- Cauterets, France
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 42.8514, -0.1394
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- France: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autoroutes; the limit drops to 110 km/h in rain. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Camping le CabalirosCampsite6 km from Pont d’EspagneTentsCaravansElectricityShowersToiletsWi-Fi
- Camping les CascadesCampsite11 km from Pont d’EspagneTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Camping ToyCampsite12 km from Pont d’EspagneTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Arrens-MarsousMotorhome stopover13 km from Pont d’Espagne · 19 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Aire CAMPING-CAR PARK de Pierrefitte-Nestalas, Vallée de GavarnieMotorhome stopover13 km from Pont d’Espagne · 13 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Le MouscaCampsite14 km from Pont d’EspagneTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
All campsites in France · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Pont d’Espagne?
Pont d’Espagne is in Cauterets, France, at GPS 42.8514, -0.1394. It is about 11 km from Luz-Saint-Sauveur.
Can you camp near Pont d’Espagne?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Aire de camping-car Cauterets Charles Thierry, about 4 km away; within 25 km there are 91 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Pont d’Espagne?
Pont d’Espagne is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Béarn and Bigorre: Aubisque to the Pic du Midi.
What is there to see near Pont d’Espagne?
Places worth a stop nearby: Cirque de Gavarnie (17 km), Col d’Aubisque (21 km), Ordesa valley (23 km) and Col du Tourmalet (24 km).
When is the best time to visit Pont d’Espagne?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)