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High Pyrenees - Basque Country Part 2
khsta
khsta
Finished Public

High Pyrenees - Basque Country Part 2

Second part of the High Pyrenees with the Basque Country. A trip that continues our trip from 2023, which we ended in Cirque Garvernie due to bad weather. This is described on https://www.frankreich-in-wort-und-bild.de/wohnmobiltouren/wohnmobilreise-in-die-hoch-pyren%C3%A4en-sommer-2023-seite-1/ Now we're going back to Cirque de Gavernie on this trip to continue the trip there. Another trip from the Mediterranean to Mont Louis, just before Andorra, in the Pyrenees is described here: https://www.frankreich-in-wort-und-bild.de/wohnmobil-touren/s%C3%BCdfrankreich-okzitanien-2/

This description was automatically translated from German using Google Translate and may not be completely accurate. Show in original language (German)

Route info
1711 Kilometres
8 Days
22.06.2024 - 29.06.2024
33 Waypoints
Vehicle info
user.vehicles.null
Karmann Mobil, Davis 620

Travelogue

Day 1
Robion
Vaucluse, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Frankreich

Arrival to Gavernie via motorway on 22.6.2024


Luz-Saint-Sauveur
Hautes-Pyrénées, Okzitanien, Frankreich

We visited the small mountain town and bought a fantastic Brebis (aged for 5 months), which tasted simply fantastic. The Église des Templiers was interesting, a massive church that also served as a defense.


Gavarnie
Hautes-Pyrénées, Okzitanien, Frankreich

Here overnight stay in the parking lot of VIVAL, GPS: 42.732786, -0.00951218


We arrived around 6:00 p.m. and everything was covered in clouds. According to the weather forecast, it should be sunny around noon tomorrow. We will definitely wait and make the hike towards the waterfall when the weather is good.


Day 2
Gavarnie
Hautes-Pyrénées, Okzitanien, Frankreich

Hike from Cirque de Gavernie to Cascade de Gavernie, approx. 5.2 km with 472 meters of elevation. 1 hour 45 minutes.

To the Hotel du Cirque 3.8 km 238 meters altitude difference 1:15 hours

Times are just a simple way, going back is another thing. Bicycles are prohibited.

It was partly cloudy, but it was a wonderful day and a unique natural spectacle. I'm glad we came here again. The pictures certainly don't reflect the experience.



42.8865, -0.1153 Cauterets Stellplatz
42.8865, -0.1153

Parking space in Cauterets for the night.

The parking space has everything you need, fresh water, waste disposal, electricity and is in a quiet location. The cost for the night is €12 at the parking machine. In the evening we went to the small (880 inhabitants) fashionable seaside resort for dinner.

Set off early in the morning to the Pont d'Espagne.


Day 3
Cauterets Parkplatz Pont
Route du Pont d'Espagne, Cauterets, Argelès-Gazost, Hautes-Pyrénées, Frankreich

Parking lot for the Pont d'Espagne. Here there is a cable car (for Marianne) up to the top of the actual Pont d'Espagne (there is also a restaurant there). I drive on to the Lac and then hike the path to Lac de Gaube.

Costs for parking, Puntas cable car and Gaube chairlift €16.00 per person. (See printout)

Time required: cable car and chair lift 20 minutes. Hike to the lake 15 minutes. Then walk to the Pont d'Espagne. Plan 3 - 4 hours in total. If you only want to see the waterfalls at the Pont d'Espagne, you don't need the cable car and chair lift. You can also hike from the car park to Lac de Gaube, but you'll need a whole day for everything. It was definitely one of the highlights of the trip.


Argelès-Gazost
Hautes-Pyrénées, Okzitanien, Frankreich

Waypoint


Col de Spandelles
Frankreich

Our original plan to go over the Col de Soulor was not possible due to a total closure (landslide). So we went over the Col de Spandelles, which is very narrow in many places and hardly suitable for large motorhomes over 7 meters. We were very sorry because the originally planned trip would certainly have been even more scenic. This meant that the Gourette waypoint was also canceled.


Laruns
Pyrenäen-Atlantik, Neu-Aquitanien, Frankreich

Parking for overnight stay for the miniature train ride to Lac d'Artouste. Plan at least 5 hours for the train ride.


We may have to stand on the road or at the reservoir.


Reservations at:

https://artouste.fr/ete/reservation/

Customer service is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.


Tickets purchased online must be printed or downloaded from home.
Since the internet network in the village of Fabrèges is very weak, you cannot download the files there.

Think about it before you take the little train!
A screenshot may also be sufficient (assuming you can clearly see the QR code of each ticket).


How it works ?

15-minute gondola ride
55 minutes crossing at 2000 m altitude
1h20 free time at the lake with the Discovery ticket (1h40 in low season), the day with the Escapade ticket

Discovery ticket 27 €

We spent the night here 42.88059963, -0.39710498 on a spot above the cable car.


Day 4
Lac d'Artouste
Frankreich

Today we take a miniature train to Lac d'Artouste. Allow at least 5 hours for the train stop.


https://artouste.fr/ete/le-train-dartouste/

High season:
6 July to 1 September
Trains depart every 30 minutes from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Low season:
from 8 May to 5 July and from 2 September to 6 October.
Trains depart every hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.


Discovery Ticket

3h30 excursion with 55 minutes crossing and 1h20 free time upon arrival of the train (1h40 free time in low season)

Gondola + return ticket.


Our conclusion: Simply a dream and definitely worth recommending


Bielle
Pyrenäen-Atlantik, Neu-Aquitanien, Frankreich

Houses from the 16th and 17th centuries. We only drove through the town without visiting it.


Col de Marie-Blanque
Frankreich

We drove through a beautiful landscape. The col is 1035 metres high and narrow in places, which is why it is probably forbidden for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes.


Sarrance
Pyrenäen-Atlantik, Neu-Aquitanien, Frankreich

Here you will find Monastere de Sarrance


If necessary, overnight stay at CP Aire Naturelle Camping Maison Bousquet about 6 km further. GPS: 43.0122236, -0.6012326

or

Camping Municipal de Carolle GPS: 42.99819, -0.604525

We visited the monasteries and then moved on.


Gîte d'Etape de Lhers
Route du Parking d'Aumet, Accous, Pyrenäen-Atlantik, Neu-Aquitanien, Frankreich

We went to the campsite near Lescun, which really offers everything for €10. A wonderful landscape from which you can go on lots of hikes. Electricity costs an extra €4. But included is a sanitary facility with showers, toilets, washrooms, etc. The cleanliness here is absolutely perfect, something you rarely see at campsites. Of course, fresh water and waste disposal are also included. Can really be recommended.


Day 5
Lescun
Pyrenäen-Atlantik, Neu-Aquitanien, Frankreich

We visited the place that is said to be one of the most beautiful villages in the Pyrenees because of its location. It is simply stunning, there are very few tourists and it offers fabulous hikes in the Cirque de Lescun.

For us it would be another goal for the future.

In Lesun you can only park on the outskirts of the town GPS: 42.931456 -0.636726. There is also a campsite (see below) in Lescun towards Cirque, which is also beautifully situated.


Camping du Lauzart 2
64490, Lescun, France

But also quiet parking on the WOMOS stand 42.927557609972084, -0.6599638261288415


We were not here as previously written


Lourdios-Ichère
Pyrenäen-Atlantik, Neu-Aquitanien, Frankreich

It was a day of pass rides because in total it is about 165 km to the destination Sare, the start of the Train de la Rhune


Arette
Pyrenäen-Atlantik, Neu-Aquitanien, Frankreich

Montory
Pyrenäen-Atlantik, Neu-Aquitanien, Frankreich

Larrau
Pyrenäen-Atlantik, Neu-Aquitanien, Frankreich

We made a short stop here and after our lunch break we visited the small town, which is already part of the Basque Country.

Afterwards we continued over the Col Bagargiak.


Parking Col de Bagargi
Ipar mendebaleko bidexka, Larrau, Pyrenäen-Atlantik, Neu-Aquitanien, Frankreich

A scenic drive through the Basque countryside.


Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
Pyrenäen-Atlantik, Neu-Aquitanien, Frankreich

We are just driving through because we have already been in the town.

I am attaching some pictures of our previous visit. If you visit the place you can park at the following spot: GPS: 43.165312, -1.23245 or one of the 2 CP

I have described the place here: https://www.frankreich-in-wort-und-bild.de/regionen-departement-orte/dep-pyr%C3%A9n%C3%A9es-atlantiques/saint-jean-pied-de-port/


Itxassou
Pyrenäen-Atlantik, Neu-Aquitanien, Frankreich

We visited the Saint-Fructueux church and then went on a short hike to the Pas de Roland. Please note that the car park (you can also stay overnight but no camping) at the church can be reached via GPS: 43.325575, -1.405257


Espelette
Pyrenäen-Atlantik, Neu-Aquitanien, Frankreich

We know Espelette and so we only drove through. If you want to see more, go to my website with information about parking spaces: https://www.frankreich-in-wort-und-bild.de/regionen-departement-orte/dep-pyr%C3%A9n%C3%A9es-atlantiques/espelette/


Ainhoa
Pyrenäen-Atlantik, Neu-Aquitanien, Frankreich

We also know Ainhoa, so here is my website with information about the parking space: https://www.frankreich-in-wort-und-bild.de/regionen-departement-orte/dep-pyr%C3%A9n%C3%A9es-atlantiques/ainhoa/


Sare
Pyrenäen-Atlantik, Neu-Aquitanien, Frankreich

We know Sare, so here is my website with parking info: https://www.frankreich-in-wort-und-bild.de/regionen-departement-orte/dep-pyr%C3%A9n%C3%A9es-atlantiques/sare/


Le Train de la Rhune
Santinazioko errebidea, Sare, Pyrenäen-Atlantik, Neu-Aquitanien, Frankreich

You can spend the night there in the parking lot. Take the Train de la Rhune to the summit the next day


https://www.rhune.com/fr/

Ticket price 24 €

Excursion ticket

An authentic cog railway from 1924 takes you to the summit of La Rhune at an altitude of 905 m in 35 minutes.
La Rhune is a nature reserve and is home to a particular flora and fauna such as the griffon vulture, but also the pottok (Basque pony) which lives freely on the massif. Let yourself be seduced by the beauty of nature while walking on the immense plateau of the summit of La Rhune!

Duration: total 2h30:

35 minutes ascent

1h20 stop at the summit

35 min. descent

As the weather had already changed that evening, we decided not to make the trip the next day. And this train ride certainly couldn't top the previous tour to Lac d'Artouste. However, we did spend the night in the parking lot further back and it was very quiet.


Day 6
Ascain
Pyrenäen-Atlantik, Neu-Aquitanien, Frankreich

Typical Basque village, visit around the village square and there the church Notre-Dame de l'Assomption 13th century and old Roman bridge.

Parking in car parks on Rue Burdin Bidea = GPS: 43.346147, -1.6233678

Since the weather was really not nice anymore and it would be overcast and rainy on the Atlantic for the next few days, we started our journey home after visiting the area. The Mediterranean was supposed to be sunny.


Camping Municipal Chibaou-berria
64500, St Jean De Luz, Frankreich

Alternative to pitch, Tel: 05 59 26 11 94. CP has bus line to Biarritz and San Sebastian.


If we stay at the sea for several days we only use CP so


- Flower Camping La Ferme Erromardie, Tel: 05 59 26 34 26 (recommended by a FB friend)

GPS: 43.40666, -1.641268


- Camping Merko-Laccara, GPS: 43.41874, -1.623329


- CP L´International Erromardie,

GPS: 43.40627, -1.63727


- CP Inter-Plages

GPS: 43.414980, -1.626539


- CP Soubelet

GPS: 43.416584, -1.62528


- CP Tamaris Plage

GPS: 43.418085, -1.624158


Cancelled due to bad weather


Parking de la Milady
Avenue de la Milady, 64200, Biarritz, Frankreich

Pitch at Camping Car Park in front of Biarritz, 200 meters from the bus stop, 2 km from the old town. Very noisy. Only if we can't get another place.


Another quiet pitch at Camping Car Park 43.459671° -1.56886° about 1.2 km from the sea.


Additional parking space 3 km north of the center of Biarritz on the beach, 43.50695, -1.53372


Cancelled due to bad weather



43.2747586, 3.3517349

The pitch is about 100-150 metres from the sandy beach. It has waste disposal, fresh water and electricity, costs €16.88

What I didn't like was the fresh water right next to the toilet flush, a real disadvantage. Luckily, we didn't need fresh water.


Day 7
43.2747586, 3.3517349 Camping Car Park
43.2747586, 3.3517349

We enjoyed the beach and the sea here. We had a two-day delay because the bad weather followed the next day.

There is a beach bar right in front of the pitch on the beach where you can also get food in the evening. At the time we were there there was even a small party with music and a 3-course meal


Day 8
Robion
Vaucluse, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Frankreich

Return to the Luberon

Day 1
Robion
Vaucluse, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Frankreich
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557,8 km 5 hrs. 17 min.
Luz-Saint-Sauveur
Hautes-Pyrénées, Okzitanien, Frankreich
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19,4 km 22 min.
Gavarnie
Hautes-Pyrénées, Okzitanien, Frankreich
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Day 2
Gavarnie
Hautes-Pyrénées, Okzitanien, Frankreich
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43,7 km 51 min.
42.8865, -0.1153 Cauterets Stellplatz
42.8865, -0.1153
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Day 3
6,8 km 14 min.
Cauterets Parkplatz Pont
Route du Pont d'Espagne, Cauterets, Argelès-Gazost, Hautes-Pyrénées, Frankreich
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24,2 km 36 min.
Argelès-Gazost
Hautes-Pyrénées, Okzitanien, Frankreich
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15,8 km 37 min.
Col de Spandelles
Frankreich
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76,1 km 1 hrs. 41 min.
Laruns
Pyrenäen-Atlantik, Neu-Aquitanien, Frankreich
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Day 4
Lac d'Artouste
Frankreich
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31,4 km 38 min.
Bielle
Pyrenäen-Atlantik, Neu-Aquitanien, Frankreich
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11,4 km 17 min.
Col de Marie-Blanque
Frankreich
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12,4 km 15 min.
Sarrance
Pyrenäen-Atlantik, Neu-Aquitanien, Frankreich
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20,8 km 27 min.
Gîte d'Etape de Lhers
Route du Parking d'Aumet, Accous, Pyrenäen-Atlantik, Neu-Aquitanien, Frankreich
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Day 5
Lescun
Pyrenäen-Atlantik, Neu-Aquitanien, Frankreich
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1,8 km 5 min.
Camping du Lauzart 2
64490, Lescun, France
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25,3 km 33 min.
Lourdios-Ichère
Pyrenäen-Atlantik, Neu-Aquitanien, Frankreich
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9,1 km 15 min.
Arette
Pyrenäen-Atlantik, Neu-Aquitanien, Frankreich
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10,4 km 10 min.
Montory
Pyrenäen-Atlantik, Neu-Aquitanien, Frankreich
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19,6 km 21 min.
Larrau
Pyrenäen-Atlantik, Neu-Aquitanien, Frankreich
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11,3 km 18 min.
Parking Col de Bagargi
Ipar mendebaleko bidexka, Larrau, Pyrenäen-Atlantik, Neu-Aquitanien, Frankreich
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31,7 km 42 min.
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
Pyrenäen-Atlantik, Neu-Aquitanien, Frankreich
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30,3 km 28 min.
Itxassou
Pyrenäen-Atlantik, Neu-Aquitanien, Frankreich
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5,5 km 8 min.
Espelette
Pyrenäen-Atlantik, Neu-Aquitanien, Frankreich
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6,3 km 9 min.
Ainhoa
Pyrenäen-Atlantik, Neu-Aquitanien, Frankreich
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8,8 km 11 min.
Sare
Pyrenäen-Atlantik, Neu-Aquitanien, Frankreich
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3,9 km 7 min.
Le Train de la Rhune
Santinazioko errebidea, Sare, Pyrenäen-Atlantik, Neu-Aquitanien, Frankreich
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Day 6
Ascain
Pyrenäen-Atlantik, Neu-Aquitanien, Frankreich
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11,1 km 18 min.
Camping Municipal Chibaou-berria
64500, St Jean De Luz, Frankreich
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9,9 km 17 min.
Parking de la Milady
Avenue de la Milady, 64200, Biarritz, Frankreich
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497,4 km 4 hrs. 22 min.
43.2747586, 3.3517349
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Day 7
43.2747586, 3.3517349 Camping Car Park
43.2747586, 3.3517349
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Day 8
191,6 km 2 hrs. 12 min.
Robion
Vaucluse, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Frankreich
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200 km

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