RANDONNEED | The Espuguettes refuge from Gavarnie in winter + night at the refuge.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION FROM RANDONNEE:

2h30 go + 2h return

9.5kms (A/R)

+650m of elevation

→ DISTANCE : 9.5km in A/R, 12km for the loop.
→ DURATION 2h30 go + 2h return, 5h in total in loop.
→ DENIVED +650m in A/R, +700m in loop.
→ DEPARTURE POINT : Village of Gavarnie, High-Pyrénées, 1.375m above sea level.
→ DIRECTED POINT : Espuguette Refuge, 2.027m altitude.
→ ROAD ACCESSES : The village of Gavarnie is a high tourist place whose access is maintained and has no difficulty. In winter, special equipment may be needed: InfoRoute65 to find out about real-time access conditions.
→ SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS None in the absence of snow and in good weather. In winter, you will find out more about snow conditions and the avalanche risk before departure by consulting the Weather France mountain and avalanche bulletin. The loop route is not recommended in winter (exposed passage).

DESCRIPTION OF THE ITINERARY

> Departure from the village of Gavarnie:

Follow the main route to Cirque. At the exit of the village, at the bridge, follow the left track (main track) along the last shops. After a few minutes of walking, at the intersection, turn left : a sign indicates the Espuguettes refuge 2 hours walkIt is the shortest route in the region.

OPTION: In the absence of snow, we recommend that you continue straight on the main runway to take the longest route in the form of a loop: the climb will be smoother and offers nice views of the Gavarnie waterfall and the Cirque as a whole. It also runs along a nice balcony trail from the Hotellerie du Cirque to the Pailha cabin.

> Beginning of ascent:

From there the trail goes up in laces in the forest for about 1 hour. The brook d'Alans is accompanied more or less closely along.

> The Pailha Plateau and Cabin:

After about 1h, the forest exit marks the half of the route: it is the pretty Pailha plateau with a little further the cabin of the same name. Follow on the left the sign indicating the Espuguette refuge at 1:00 am. In the distance, in this direction, one can see the refuge perched on its promontory. It dominates the whole. On the other side, the view of Roland's breach is already very beautiful. In March, here we had the snowshoes that we had previously fixed on our bags.

> Arrival at the refuge des Espuguettes:

The rest of the climb takes place in laces on a rather steep slope with the refuge in line of sight, until reaching the latter. The return will be by the same route.

> Bonus: night in the unguarded part of the shelter:

The caretaker is not present in the winter to make live the shelter, but the latter still continues to ensure his vocation of mountain shelters: a doorlock with a table and 8 dorm mattresses are accessible, this is what is called the part « Unguarded » shelters. If some have a stove / fireplace to heat, this is not the case: the stoves are to be set if one wishes to eat a hot meal and the second layers and thick jackets are to be expected! You are being prepared for an article that will list the essentials to have with you for a night in an unguarded shelter (there are a lot of very useful little things that you necessarily forget the first times. Already know that candles and cheese are part of it:

→ Focus: the refuge of Espuguettes (2.027m) :
On the heights of Gavarnie's circus, the refuge des Espuguettes, perched on its plateau with a backdrop of Roland's Brèche and other mythical peaks of Cirque, offers one of the most beautiful paintings of the Hautes-Pyrénées. Held from June to September, he offered 54 beds, toilet, a little electricity, a point ddrinking water, a service restoration morning – noon – evening and a little grocery store. If you want to spend one night at this time, we advise you to Book online your sleep and your meal(s) so that the guardian can plan and organize in function. Winter, only a small part with 8 beds (sleeping with 8 mattresses) remains open. A table for 6/8 people is also accessible. No heating, no water, no toilets, no electricity. Plan your personal sleeping bag because no blankets due to sanitary standards.

Useful links to prepare the hike:

→ The GPS trace to download in order to have a route on your phone or connected watch.
→ LMariano article which makes you discover the hike of the refuge of the Espuguettes (including the loop) in summer.
→ Find out more about weather conditions: Blue weather.
→ Information on road access conditions: InfoRoute65.
→ Learn about snow conditions and the risk of avalanches: Snow bulletin Weather-France.
In case of doubt, contact PGHM (Police and Mount Mounted Police) of the High Pyrénées, these are the best informed about conditions in the mountains (numbers below).
→ The official website of the Refuge des Espuguettes.
→ The mountain rescue number: first call the 112 To give the alarm, you will be put in contact with the mountain rescue unit. Also valid for the Spanish side.
PGHM High-Pyrenees (General Number):
05 62 92 41 41
CRS Gavarnie:
05 62 92 48 24
CRS St Lary:
05 62 39 55 18
PGHM Pierrefie:
05 62 92 71 82