The Gaves Greenway
LOURDES , Hautes-Pyrénées – Itinéraire
The Gaves is set on a former railway track and follows a mountainside itinerary near the large Pyrenean river – the Gave de Pau. Along this route, you will be able to enjoy an exceptional view of the wooded hillsides running along the valley and also the peaks with their heads in the clouds. Along your journey, you may want to stop off in one of the 11 Pyrenean villages with their authentic farmhouses, traditional wash houses and historic Roman churches.
The Greenway consists of two sections. The first section runs between Lourdes and Pierrefitte-Nestalas and features a fairly flat route with an even surface. This makes it accessible to bicycles, Rollerblades, pedestrians, roller-skis, hand bikes and wheelchairs. Along the route, tourist information is provided at audio terminals with signs translated into six languages and of course Braille. It is particularly suitable for the visually impaired and has been awarded the “Tourism and Handicap” label.
After Pierrefitte-Nestalas, a second section continues on into the town of Cauterets. This steep and gravelled section is suitable for pedestrians, advanced cyclists or mountain biking enthusiasts. This 10km section runs through a spectacular setting of waterfalls, flora and fauna… It is no wonder that the Gaves Greenway won the European Greenways Award in the “sustainable development and tourism” category in 2009.
