What you will experience

Reach the Lac de Gaube at sunrise: turquoise waters facing the north face of the Vignemale (3,298 m).

Complete the great Cardinquère loop: 1,350m of elevation gain on trails over moorland, combes and technical ridges, working on your footing and climbing in real conditions.

Take on the flagship Vignemale-Marcadau day: climb 1,400m of elevation gain, with continuous coaching and views over the Gaube valley.

Descend the suspended Marcadau valley: high altitude lakes and glacial valleys in the National Park.

Itinerary

1
DAY1/ 4
- D-·600m
  descent
- D+·600m
  Vertical ascent
- Distance·10km
  KM covered
We meet at 1pm at the Pont d'Espagne, an emblematic site in the Pyrenees National Park, renowned for its great waterfalls and powerful torrents.

An easy climb takes us to our base camp, nestling at an altitude of 1,700 m between pastures and peaks.
After settling in and having lunch, we lay the groundwork: equipment, safety, managing effort at altitude and simply reading the terrain.

In the afternoon, a gradual outing takes in the forest paths and the first panoramic views of the Vignemale. The aim is to acclimatise and build confidence. Stretching and the possibility of a walk at dusk

The rest is for members

Join the community to read the day-by-day detail, talk to the guides and hear about new dates first.

Join +20,300 adventurers already signed up.

The guides who will lead your adventure

Florian

Mountain leader (AMM)

German

French

English

My name is Florian; I’m a mountain guide and a former agronomy researcher. As a keen trail runner and trekker, I lead immersive excursions – whether active or contemplative – from the Alps to the Pyrenees. I tailor every experience to offer an adventure in the heart of nature, with an authentic approach, for the daring as well as beginners, rooted in a strong ethos of respect for the local environment. See you soon on the trails!

Find out more about Florian

What's included in the price

Included

Guiding: For the 4 days, you'll be guided by Florian, a mountain leader and trail expert.

Accommodation: You will sleep in shared dormitories with mountain views. The high-altitude chalet has a dining room, lounge and terrace.

Meals: All meals are included, from the evening meal on Day 1 to the picnic on Day 4.

Not included

Transport: Return transfer to the meeting point.

Equipment: Your personal trail equipment is not included in the price of the stay (shoes, bag, poles, technical clothing, etc.).

What level to expect?

Level 3

Participants must be at least 18 years old

WHO IS THIS FOR?

This course is for intermediate trail runners who want to gain confidence, preparation and technique over several consecutive days in high mountains, with on-trail coaching.

You're at the right level if:

You're ready to run 20 km with 1,200 to 1,400 m of elevation gain in a day
You can string together several consecutive days of trail running in the mountains, with good management of fatigue and recovery
Technical terrain doesn't hold you back, and you know how to adapt your pace to the profile of the ground
You practise trail running or sport hiking regularly, with long outings of several hours
You're comfortable at altitude (around 2,700–3,000 m) and with pre-dawn starts
You accept occasional isolation and changing weather without it stopping you

Take the level quiz

Getting there

Start · 13h00

Lourdes station

End · 15h00

Lourdes station

Transport

By train

The train is still our favourite way to set off on an adventure. But some of the more remote areas require other means of transport.

By car

Prefer the freedom of a road trip?

You can go directly to the Pont d'Espagne (Cauterets), the starting point of the expedition.

A large pay car park is available on site. During the tourist season, simply plan ahead to arrive safely.

Do consider carpooling: a WhatsApp group will be set up 10 days before departure so you can organise this with the 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

4.8/ 5 · based on 25 reviews in this category

Annabelle C.

3 jours de stage trail incroyables ! Notre guide Maxime a été de très bons conseils, il a su répondre à toutes nos attentes, en étant attentif aux besoins de chacun. Nous avons également apprécié le cadre et l'équipe du refuge de Sotré et ses magnifiques couchers de soleil. Nous reviendrons avec grand plaisir ! Annabelle & Esteve

Ilham H.

Super stage! J’ai appris plein de choses à mettre en pratique pour le trail. Maxime notre guide a été un formidable instructeur toujours dans la bienveillance. Merci encore Maxime pour ce beau stage

Adeline P.

Super stage, une belle déconnection, une équipe de choc et un encadrement au top ! Conforme à l'attendu, et encore mieux !

David D.

L'accompagnateur était professionnel et super sympa ! Il a adapté les journées aux conditions météo, aux souhaits et aux niveaux des participants. Au-delà des aspects techniques, il nous a parlé de la culture, de l'histoire locale et nous a donné quelques anecdotes.

Patrick C.

Notre guide,,Violette, au top, dans son approche, la technique et la convivialité . Patrick C.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the trail course in the Pyrenees for?

This course is aimed at people who are already runners and who want to discover or improve their mountain running skills, without seeking performance at all costs. If you're comfortable on outings lasting several hours and want to learn how to better manage altitude, technical terrain and your effort, you've come to the right place. You don't need to be an expert, but you do need to enjoy moving around in nature and want to progress.

What level of physical fitness is required?

The longest days involve up to seven or eight hours of effort, with sections at altitude and on technical trails. This requires a good base of endurance and the ability to run or walk for long periods in hilly terrain. The pace is always adapted to the group, and the coaching is there to help you manage your energy. The aim is not to go fast, but to go just right.

How are the nights and comforts on site?

You'll spend three nights in the Chalet d'altitude, right in the heart of the Pyrenees National Park. This is our base camp for the whole stay. We'll move into our rooms on the first day and return each evening. You don't have to change accommodation or carry all your gear for several days. This provides real comfort and welcome stability after the outings.

Will I be overwhelmed by the group?

The pace is constantly adjusted. Technical exercises are carried out in real-life situations, but with guidance. The aim is never to put anyone in difficulty. We talk a lot about effort management and adapting to the terrain. If you come with a solid base and a desire to learn, you'll find your place in the group.

Will I learn anything concrete?

Yes, and it's the heart of the holiday. You work on climbing and descending technique, positioning on technical terrain, effort management over long distances, autonomy during the race, navigation with GPX routes, refuelling and recovery. The workshops are practical and applied directly in the field. You'll leave with tools you can use on your own outings.

How is safety ensured during outings?

Each day begins with a clear briefing. The equipment is checked, the key passages are explained and the timetable is anticipated. The coach accompanies you throughout the outings and adapts the pace to the group. We also work on reading the terrain and collective effort management. Safety is an integral part of the learning process, not just a framework.

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 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 break — 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 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 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.
24% 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.

Discover other adventures

You might also be interested in these adventures

Trail Running Beneath the Cliffs of the Vignemale

What you will experience

Itinerary