National park · France
Pyrénées National ParkParc National des Pyrénées
Enter Pyrénées National Park: pay €6 per adult at the gate, drive 30 min from Lourdes to Pont d'Espagne, hike the Cirque de Gavarnie trail (≈2 h round‑trip) in June–Sept; start before 09:00 in July‑Aug to avoid crowds.Enter Pyrénées National Park: pay €6 per adult at the gate, drive 30 min from Lourdes to Pont d'Espagne, hike the Cirque de Gavarnie trail (≈2 h round‑trip) in June–Sept; start before 9:00 AM in July‑Aug to avoid crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
450 km² (174 sq mi)174 sq mi (450 km²)
approximate
Established
1967
Best months
Apr–Jun, Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
- France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
- France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
- France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
- France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
At a glance
- Country
- France
- Area
- 450 km² (174 sq mi)174 sq mi (450 km²)
- The park covers roughly 450 km² of mountainous terrain, including high cirques and forested valleys (estimate based on official park data).
- Established
- 1967
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Pyrénées National Park protects the high Pyrenean landscape across Hautes‑Pyrénées and Pyrénées‑Atlantiques, featuring deep glacial cirques, Europe's tallest mainland waterfall, and alpine flora and fauna. Visitors can access iconic sites such as the Cirque de Gavarnie, Gavarnie Falls, and Roland's Breach, with most trails open in summer and a modest entry fee of €6 per adult.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteFrench national park designation.
Size and age
450 km² (174 sq mi)174 sq mi (450 km²) · national park since 1967
The park covers roughly 450 km² of mountainous terrain, including high cirques and forested valleys (estimate based on official park data).
Why go
- Explore dramatic glacial cirques and Europe's highest waterfall.
- Walk historic mountain routes like Roland's Breach.
- Spot alpine wildlife such as marmots and golden eagles.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCold but quiet; snow may block high passes.
- FebWinter scenery; limited trail access.
- MarSnow melt; early spring crowds low.
- AprWildflowers, moderate temps.
- MayFull trail opening, pleasant weather.
- JunDry, ideal for high‑altitude hikes.
- JulPeak summer crowds; thunderstorms.
- AugHeat, occasional storms; start early.
- SepClear skies, fewer tourists.
- OctCool, leaf‑turning colors.
- NovCold, limited services.
- DecWinter, possible snow closures.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MarmotJun–Sep · Active in alpine meadows. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| ChamoisMay–Sep · Shy, spotted on cliffs. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Golden eagleMar–Aug · Soaring over cirques. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Lourdes
Bus to Pont d'Espagne (D 920) then walk to the gate.
45 min
From Tarbes
Train to Lourdes, then bus as above.
1 h 30 min
From Pau
Train to Tarbes, then connect.
2 h
From Spain (Jaca)
Cross border by car on D 918 to Pont d'Espagne.
1 h 15 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Pont d'Espagne | Visitor centre, car park, trailhead to Cirque. | Open year‑round. |
| Cirque de Gavarnie | Large glacial cirque, viewpoint, Gavarnie Falls. | Open; trail from Pont d'Espagne. |
| Roland's Breach | Border gap, accessed from Refugio Sarradets. | Guided or experienced hikers only. |
| Lac d'Orédon | Dam‑raised lake, walking loop. | Open; limited facilities. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate for major points; used for orientation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (adult) | EUR 6 (≈ US$7) | person | — |
| Car park at Pont d'Espagne | EUR 3 (≈ US$4) | vehicle | check |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- €6≈ US$7
- €3≈ US$4
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Official French National Parks website before you go.
Park rules
- Dogs
- Must be on leash at all times.
- Camping
- Only in designated campgrounds; backcountry camping prohibited.
- Fires
- Open fires not allowed; use stoves.
- Off‑trail
- Stay on marked paths to protect fragile habitats.
- Litter
- Pack out all waste.
Where to stay
Near the park
Lourdes town hotels
Range from budget to mid‑range; 20 km (12 mi) to park gate.Range from budget to mid‑range; 12 mi (20 km) to park gate.
In the park
Refuge des Oulettes de Gaube
Mountain hut near high‑altitude trails; basic dormitory style.
Safety
Weather change medium
Altitude low
Trail erosion medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Visitor centre at Pont d'Espagne has wheelchair‑accessible toilets.
- Cirque viewpoint reachable via paved path; steep sections not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use the official shuttle or car‑pool to reduce traffic.
- Buy food locally in Lourdes to support the region.
- Leave no trace; use refillable water bottles.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Pyrénées National Park?
Entry is €6 per adult; a €3 car‑park fee applies at Pont d'Espagne. Children under 12 enter free.
What are the best hikes in Pyrénées National Park?
Cirque de Gavarnie loop (easy, 2 h), Gavarnie Falls trail (moderate, 3 h), Roland's Breach ascent (hard, 4 h), Lac d'Orédon walk (easy, 1 h).
When is the best time to visit Pyrénées National Park?
May to September offers the most reliable weather and full trail access; June–Sept are peak, so start early to avoid crowds.
Do I need a guide for any trails?
Guides are not required for the main cirque routes, but Roland's Breach is recommended for inexperienced hikers due to steep sections.
Are dogs allowed in the park?
Yes, but they must be on a leash at all times and are not permitted on the high‑altitude refuges.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Pyrénées National Park
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