Pyrenees thoughts

We spent several nights in Cauterets, France (south of Lourdes) in 2024, during the Tour de France. Many of the Tour’s iconic climbs are in the area, so you could get in some great rides, and it’s also a big mountain bike destination.

We rode a chairlift up to, and down from Lake Gaube, as well as hiking up and around the area above the Pont d'Espagne. There’s also a gondola that goes from town to a higher Cirque that we didn’t take, but they all shut down in late September, and don’t open again until ski season. Nice town (with thermal spas), great area for hiking and potentially biking, although it doesn’t have a huge gondola system, compared with parts of the Swiss Alps. The major peak summits have to be reached on foot.

Thank you so much! Your trip sounds great. Sadly, given that the lifts and gondolas won't be operating, I think it makes sense to go elsewhere this time and reconsider the Pyrenees another time.

As Cyn pointed out, most mountain resort facilities such as the chairlifts at resorts that operate in summer tend to shut down between mid-September and the start of the winter season (usually in December).

Cauterets (mentioned by Cyn) and the surrounding area in the Gavarnie Valley make a great base for exploring part of the Pyrenees.

https://www.valleesdegavarnie.com/en/destination/cauterets/

The same goes for Bagnères-de-Bigorre and the Tourmalet area.

https://www.tourmaletpicdumidi.com/

The Pic du Midi, the highest peak in the Pyrenees, remains open until November 1st (weather permitting).

https://picdumidi.com/en

That said, you can still enjoy walks, sightseeing, and hikes.

On the drive from Toulouse to the Pyrenees, you pass through the Ariège region, the gateway to the Pyrenean mountains. It’s a great place to visit and spend time in some nice semi-mountainous spots.

https://www.ariegepyrenees.com/en/

For any outdoor activity, you should always check the weather forecast with mountain guide offices or local tourist offices when in this mountain environment. I’ve experienced days that started with perfect weather but turned into snowstorms within a few hours, or summer hikes that ended in violent thunderstorms, situations that are difficult to handle in the mountains. So, be careful. A good idea before leaving Montauban is to check the local weather for your intended destinations over the coming days.

You don't have to go far from Toulouse to find hiking routes, hills and mountains. I'm going to show you areas away from the Pyrenees, easier to access. Here's the link to the French Federation of long-distance hiking trails and their guidebooks.https://www.ffrandonnee.fr/la-federation/english-version/discover-the-long-distance-hiking-routes-gr These trails, called GRs, are marked with red-and-white markings.

As you can see from the map, these are everywhere, the old footpaths through the country. After that, locally every area has guidebooks to region walk and hikes. Some of these parallel the GR for a while but will have markings of different colors. You can find these hiking and walking books in bookstores and newspaper shops that have books of local interest. Some can be quite challenging, if I remember when hiking Robert Louis Stevenson's Trail from "Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes."

French school holidays begin on October 17th and last two weeks, so you could have company on the trails.

Thank you so much JoLui and Elizabeth for such thoughtful and informative responses! I will review all the info. Another area that was just recommended to us is San Sebastian, so we are considering that destination as well and possibly leaving the big mountains for a warmer time of year. Thank you again - this will all be helpful.

Hello again - After much consideration, we have decided to go to Cauterets even though the gondolas will be closed. The area looks beautiful. As you suggested, we will work with the tourism office to insure that we choose safe walks/hikes for the weather. Can anyone recommend lodging in Cauterets? Thank you.

You’ll enjoy Cauterets, and l’m glad you’re going there. We stayed at the Lion d’Or. Great breakfast, and we also had dinner there a couple of nights.

Across the street, they had an apartment, and we also stayed in it for a couple of nights, if you want to fix your own breakfast or other meals. It also has a washing machine for laundry.

Thanks so much for your quick reply Cyn! Unfortunately the Lion d'Or is closed in October :-(

Nance,
Our recentish TR is titled 'Plenitude: a French Pyrenees TR'. It appears over on the Fodors forum, where I go by 'zebec'. I'd link it but am using someone else's unfamiliar tablet here in Liguria.
As one could see in that looooong TR, we based near Cauterets after an earlier first half of that trip in the Spanish Pyrenees (separate TR 'From Born to Bielsa').
Good luck.
I am done. The end

Thank you Zebec. I found your information- it looks like you had a fabulous trip!

Even though you’ll be visiting during the shoulder season when availability might be more limited, for a stay of several days, take a look at Gîtes de France, you may already be familiar with them. These are privately run accommodations, somewhat like Airbnb, but they have existed in France since the 1970s and are a favorite among French people vacationing in the countryside and mountains, away from major cities.

They are often far better, cheaper, and more welcoming than hotels, some offer breakfast or even "table d'hôte" (home-cooked meals).

In Hautes-Pyrénées (Cauterets region)

https://www.gites-de-france.com/en/search?departments=84

In Pyrénées-Orientales, the eastern section of the mountain range, extending toward the Mediterranean sea:

https://www.gites-de-france.com/en/search?departments=85

In Ariège:

https://www.gites-de-france.com/en/search?departments=27

Thank you so much JoLui. I was not aware of this particular website and I am very happy to receive it. I will look through it!

Nance,
I swear by Gites de France. We have reserved from chambres d'hote to large houses from them. Always happy with the rentals and the service. Our go-to when not in Paris or at relatives' homes.

Good to know Judy - thank you very much!