Sculpted by glaciers and shaped by pastoral farming, our valleys have maintained the beauty of their landscapes and so offer a multitude of sports and leisure activities which are of course very... natural.

You can hike, bike and horse ride of course, but also raft down the rapids, climb 3000m peaks, fly like the eagles, hurtle down snowy slopes... because mountain professionals are also on hand to make your wildest dreams come true.

Pack your holidays with thrilling experiences!

If you like you can start by taking any of the many hiking trails to explore, at your own pace of course, our valleys, our stupendous landscapes, the flora and fauna which fill our mountains, and much, much more.

If you are a fan of trail riding, you will gain a different take on the wealth of our heritage on superb rides from village to village alongside the famous Pau mountain stream.

In Vallées des Gaves water is ever-present. At times it is bubbling and turbulent, at times calm and relaxing, but it is always very welcoming. You will therefore have no trouble finding temptation and may well find yourself jumping in the water in search of invigorating leisure activities! The choice is yours: kayaking, inflatable canoeing, riverboarding, rafting and canyoning. Fantastic rides and huge surges of adrenalin are in store!

For the sportiest, rock climbing, via ferrata, paragliding and mountaineering are all stimulating and life-affirming activities. Whether your level is beginner or advanced, you can count on the skill and friendliness of our guides, activity leaders and instructors.

Get some fresh air in your life! Recharge your batteries! Spoil yourself!

Enjoy the pleasures of winter!

In Vallées des Gaves, the white landscape quickly brings colour to your cheeks because is the air is so pure and the views so staggering! So experience the mountains as you wish!

Six ski resorts and 500km of pistes will thrill downhill fans of all kinds. Incidentally, did you know that Mathieu Crépel, our 2007 big air and halfpipe world champion, started out at one of our resorts?

Continuing on the subject of sport, but this time of a more natural kind, ski touring opens up the possibility of fabulous outings, preferably accompanied by a guide. With a professional at your side, you can also learn to ice climb or improve your free ride technique!

And if you want to reawaken the dormant trapper spirit in you, snowshoeing and sled dog treks will give you the chance to enjoy winter with a twist.

So many activities lie in store! Fortunately our village resorts are also perfectly placed to pamper you, offering truly relaxing moments in complexes devoted to wellbeing and fitness. A very enjoyable version of après-ski...

Saddle up in the Kingdom of the bike!

Whether you are a mountain biking nut, a demon road racer or enjoy gentle bike rides as a family, in Vallées des Gaves you will find plenty of trails suited to your needs and level of riding.

The largest MTB complex in the south-west and the Pyrenees awaits you! There are more than 1,150km of signposted trails, 73 circuits approved by the French Cycling Federation and two “Topo” guide books to explain everything.

For starters, Tourmalet, Aubisque, Soulor, Hautacam, Luz Ardiden and Vallées alone are some of the most legendary passes and finishes in Tour de France history. You'll find out why thousands of cyclists take to our roads every year! Road riding fans and tourism professionals will provide services tailored to your specific requirements: suitable hotel services, road signing, topoguides, etc.

Not forgetting the Voies Vertes des Gaves, a completely redeveloped disused railway line. It is a 100% natural 26km route stretching from Lourdes to Cauterets via Pierrefitte-Nestalas, and is ideal for families and sportier riders with the guarantee of absolute peace and quiet without the stress of motor vehicles.