What you will experience

Explore the wild high valleys of Cauterets, between Lake Ilhéou, the Marcadau plateau and Lake Gaube, dominated by the Vignemale, in the heart of the Pyrenees National Park.

Hike to the rhythm of the fauna: marmots near the burrows, chamois on the grassy slopes, Iberian ibex on the granite bars and dipper along the torrent.

Set off with a mountain leader who is an expert animal spotter, teaching you how to read a ridge, spot a silhouette with binoculars and understand the behaviour of species.

Sleep every night in a comfortable mountain hut, like the Ilhéou hut nestling on the edge of its high-altitude lake, in the heart of a wild setting of peaks, high-altitude meadows and granite plateaux.

Itinerary

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1
DAY1/ 4
- Accommodation·Mountain hut
  Where we'll be spending the night
- D+·630m
  Vertical ascent
- Distance·4km
  KM covered
We'll meet at 9am at Lourdes station to meet the group and brief the guide, before transferring to the Cauterets massif where we'll begin our hike above Cauterets.

On this first day, we'll head up the Ilhéou valley, a pastoral valley dotted with mountain pastures and clearings shaped by the summer grazing, with valleys and grassy slopes ideal for observation. We'll keep an eye out for marmots, often visible near their burrows, and for the mountain birds of prey that regularly fly over the area.

The ascent follows a well-marked path and leads to a high altitude lake, nestled in a mineral and open environment. Depending on the weather and the shape of the group, a short exploration option is possible.

Settle in and spend the night at the Ilhéou Mountain hut, on the edge of the lake: quiet time for dinner, collective feedback and preparation for the next stage of the expedition.

The guides who will lead your adventure

Story time

Hadrien

Mountain leader (AMM)

French

English

I discovered the mountains at the age of thirteen when my parents moved to the Hautes-Alpes. It was then that something really clicked! A dream was born in my mind: to help people discover the mountains while preserving them. I achieved my most cherished dream when I qualified as a mountain leader. Since moving to the Hautes Pyrénées in 2016, I've been sharing unique moments in the heart of nature. Through the photographic lens, I raise awareness of the fragility of our world. My work allows me to represent the mountains in their noblest forms.

Find out more about Hadrien

What's included in the price

Included

Guiding: You will be accompanied by Hadrien, a local Pyrenean guide with a passion for wildlife and photography.

Accommodation: You will spend three nights in shared rooms in warm, comfortable accommodation in the heart of the mountains.

Meals: All meals are included, from the evening meal on D1 to the picnic on D4 (homemade breakfasts, picnics and friendly dinners, either in the wild or in the Mountain hut).

Not included

Transport to the meeting point (Lourdes station).

Any personal expenses (snacks, drinks, etc).

Picnic lunch on Day 1.

Anything not explicitly mentioned in the "what's included" section.

What level should you expect

Level 2

You should be at least 18 years old to participate

You walk 5–6 h/day on mountain trails with 600–900 m of ascent and regular descents.
You travel through alpine meadows, scree slopes and forest paths; no glacier or permanent snow.
You sleep in refuges 3 nights; carry personal gear and lunch, light to moderate pack weight.
You must be comfortable on steep slopes and rocky sections; no technical skills required.
Wildhartt level 2: sustained multi-day hiking, realistic if you’re regularly active in the mountains.

Getting there

Start: In front of Lourdes station (09h00)

End: In front of Lourdes station (17h00)

Transport

Do you want to avoid traffic jams and travel in peace? The train is your ally.

Here are the recommended connections:

Departure station > Gare de Montparnasse (TGV INOUI 8598)
Montparnasse station > Lourdes station (5 hours by train from Paris)

You can also travel to Lourdes by Flixbus from major towns in France, Belgium and Spain. Practical and economical!

Prefer the freedom of a road trip?

You can drive straight to Lourdes station, the meeting point for the expedition.

There is a car park on site where you can leave your vehicle for the duration of the trip.

Don't forget about car pooling: a WhatsApp group will be set up 10 days before departure to help you make arrangements with other participants.

How to register

1

Step 1

Choose your departure date and number of participants

2

Step 2

Book online by paying a deposit or the full amount directly. It is also possible to book by telephone by calling +32 460 25 61 85 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).

If the minimum number of participants is reached, departure is confirmed!
If the minimum number of participants is not reached, we will give you a full refund.

Departure is confirmed 15 days in advance for adventures lasting more than 4 days. Departure is confirmed 7 days prior for adventures lasting less than 4 days.

3

Step 3

In the case of a deposit, the remaining amount will be debited from your account before departure.

Your reviews

The opinions of our participants who have placed their trust in us

Frequently asked questions

Are the dormitories mixed or separate?

Mountain huts generally accommodate participants in mixed dormitories. There is no systematic separation by gender, but the atmosphere is respectful and adapted to the group dynamic. If someone has a particular need (privacy, difficulty sleeping in a group), they can let us know in advance.

How comfortable is the accommodation?

The comfort is simple but warm. The Mountain huts are heated, have sanitary facilities (toilets, hot showers) and offer quality hot meals. They are not hotels, but authentic places where people sleep in dormitories, share meals and enjoy a collective experience in an unspoilt mountain setting.

Where should we meet on the first day?

We'll meet at Lourdes station on the first day.

Are instalment payment options available?

Yes, that's right! At checkout, you can choose the Alma option to pay for your booking in 2x, 3x or 4x. All you have to do is select Alma at checkout and follow the instructions. It's simple, fast and secure.

Can I privatise this expedition for my group?

Yes, all our expeditions can be privatised for a group already formed, on the dates of your choice.

To make your request, go to the expedition that interests you and click on "Privatise the expedition". We'll take care of the rest!

What happens if the weather is bad?

At Wildhartt, nature is our playground, rain or shine. Rain, snow or wind: our guides adapt the itinerary, activities and accommodation to guarantee you the best possible experience.
Unless safety is at stake (storm, avalanche, flood...).

In this exceptional case, we can cancel an expedition, at least one week before departure.
If this happens:
→ You can postpone your adventure at no cost,
→ Or receive a full refund.

What kind of people usually join Wildhartt expeditions ?

You don’t need to be a top athlete or adventure expert to feel at home. Most Wildhartt participants are between 25 and 60 years old, with a balanced mix of women and men.

Many join solo or in small groups of two or three. They often live in cities and are looking for a meaningful brea some time to reconnect with nature, slow down, and enjoy something real.

They usually have a regular movement practice (hiking, running, yoga...), but not with a competitive mindset. They’re in good shape, but don’t necessarily have technical skills. What brings them together is a shared desire to disconnect, observe, learn, and experience nature in a more grounded, accessible way.

If that speaks to you, you'll feel right at home. The group spirit is kind and open, and the pace adapts to everyone.

What does the price of a Wildhartt adventure include?

At Wildhartt, transparency is essential. The price of your expedition reflects a clear breakdown of costs:

30% for our guides, the mainstays of every adventure.

35% for accommodation and meals, essential for your comfort.

10% for equipment and transport, to guarantee safety and fluidity.

25% for organisation and logistics, from first contact to the end of the expedition.

1% for the rewilding of Europe, a concrete commitment to give back to nature what it gives us.

Our priority: to offer you a quality experience, with complete clarity.

Do you have any questions? Contact us.

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