Walk 6047 - Panorama walk from Col des Tentes, near Gavarnie

      
Click thumbnails for larger images.

This walk offers some grand views over the village of Gavarnie and the surrounding mountains. It also offers a glimpse into neighbouring Spain. The start is the car park at the Col du Tentes reached by a winding road that zigzags dramatically out of Gavarnie. When approaching Gavarnie on the D921 from Gedre, turn right at the first major junction in the village and follow this road ever upwards.

Continue along the road to reach the car park at Col du Tentes. After parking continue along the road, which has barricades to stop traffic to reach the French/Spanish border at Port du Boucharo. From here you have a wonderful view into Spain and you will note the coloured strata of rock on some of the mountains.

Turn sharp left and follow the path uphill onto the northern flank of Le Taillon. The path traverses the side of this mountain gaining height very gradually. Early in the season you will encounter patches of snow when care is required. The route is easy to follow and you get the feeling of being high in the mountains without having used up too much effort. Continue on this path until it turns south and begins to climb more steeply over rock. This is the point to return to the start.

The path does continue to the Refuge des Sarradets and the Brèche de Roland. However there are a couple of sections where the use of hands is necessary and after a cold night the rock can be icy near streams. It is prior to these difficulties that this walk turns back but if you wish to continue then follow walk 6112.

Suggested Maps

IGN Carte de Randonnée - Gavarnie - Luz-St-Saveur - 1:25000 Sheet 1748OT