Here's a selection of the best family hikes in the Pyrenees. These are easy to medium-level hikes, never technically demanding and easily accessible.
1. The Artigue waterfalls
- Distance: 3.1 km
- Difference in altitude: 132 m
- Duration: 1 h
- Itinerary
The Artigue waterfalls have everything you need for a successful family hike in the Pyrenees: the trail is short, straight, well signposted, with no technical difficulties, and offers superb mountain scenery. Here, in the glacial valley of Vicdessos, the Artigue stream collapses to form beautiful blue waterfalls. The parking lot is not far away, and there's even a picnic area. To reach the waterfalls, simply follow the stream bed, which will be very refreshing if you spend the summer in the mountains. Don't forget your swimsuits, because you can even swim in them!
2. Lac des Bouillousses
- Distance: 6 km
- Difference in altitude: 131 m
- Duration: 2 hours
- Itinerary
This loop itinerary is short but very rewarding. In just 6 km, you can admire five superb high-altitude lakes that are among the most beautiful places to see in the Pyrénées-Orientales: Lac des Bouillousses, where the route begins, followed by Etang de Pradeilles, Etang Noir, Etang Long and Récou. The trail has no technical difficulties and very few climbs, making it an ideal family hike in the Pyrenees. It's located in the Catalan Pyrenees Regional Nature Park, so it's essential to reduce your ecological footprint.
3. The best family hikes in the Pyrenees: Lac d'Isaby
- Distance: 5.3 km
- Difference in altitude: 136 m
- Duration: 1 h 30
- Itinerary
This trail is perfectly suited to an outing with children, as it is easy and very accessible, as there is a parking lot on the Col de Moulata. You then cross pastures to Lac d'Isaby, a beautiful lake at 1,589 m altitude in the Hautes-Pyrénées. The idea here is to take advantage of the mountain's attractions, notably its panoramic views, but without the difficulties and the ascent that go with them! This is more of a summer or spring hike, as the circuit may be snow-covered the rest of the year.
4. Lake Gaube
- Distance: 8 km
- Difference in altitude: 351 m
- Duration: 2 h 40
- Itinerary
You'll be walking through the beautiful scenery of the Pyrenees National Park, along a magnificent trail that offers plenty to see. Right from the start, you'll start at the Pont d'Espagne waterfalls. You'll then arrive at the superb Lac de Gaube, perched at an altitude of 1,725 m and surrounded by verdant mountains, including the Vignemale, which at 3,298 m is the highest peak in the French Pyrenees. However, all these assets mean that the trail tends to be quite busy, especially in summer.
5. Lac de Bareilles
- Distance: 9.7 km
- Difference in altitude: 264 m
- Duration: 2 h 40
- Itinerary
This trail is an average family hike in the Pyrenees, as it's only slightly longer than the others: about ten kilometers. At the end of the trail, you'll come to the magnificent Lac de Bareilles, also known as Lac de Bordères. It rises to an altitude of 1,760 m, and is surrounded by several peaks over 2,000 m high. The circuit also offers fine views of the Pyrenees mountain range. The hike is well signposted and has no difficulties other than its length.
6. The Gavarnie cirque
- Distance: 7.9 km
- Difference in altitude: 355 m
- Duration: 2 h 40
- Itinerary
The Gavarnie cirque is one of the most beautiful sites in the Pyrenees, so much so that it has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's a magnificent glacial cirque dominated by snow-capped peaks, with sublime waterfalls tumbling over it. The trail is not particularly difficult: you'll walk gently uphill for the first half, before descending on the way back. Good walking shoes are recommended, however.
7. The Pont d'Espagne waterfalls trail
- Distance: 8.7 km
- Elevation gain: 466 m
- Time: 3 hrs 10 mins
- Itinerary
The Pont d'Espagne waterfalls trail is without doubt one of the most rewarding in the Pyrenees: in just 3 hours, you'll be able to admire no less than six waterfalls: the Pont d'Espagne waterfall, the Mauhourat waterfall, the Pouey Bacou waterfall, the Boussès waterfall, the Escane-Gate waterfall and the Ceriset waterfall. The hike takes place not far from the trail leading to Lac de Gaube, also mentioned earlier in this article, and you can quite conceivably mix the two trails, although this will require more stamina from your children.
The article to read: get inspired for your next hikes by reading our article on France's cult hiking trails.
8. The best family hikes in the Pyrenees: from Col du Soulor to Lac de Soum
- Distance: 6 km
- Difference in altitude: 211 m
- Duration : 1 h 45
- Itinerary
The route starts at the Col du Soulor, in the heart of the Pyrenees National Park. You'll then hike along an easy trail to Lac de Soum, a small lake of barely half a hectare at 1,510 m altitude, surrounded by mountain peaks including Petit Gabizos at 2,639 m altitude.
9. Tour of Lac de Lourdes
- Distance: 6 km
- Height difference: 129 m
- Duration : 1 h 30
- Itinerary
This lovely family hiking trail in the Pyrenees circles Lac de Lourdes, an ideal hiking destination located next to the town of the same name. This glacial lake is only 422 m above sea level, making it easily accessible, yet still very pleasant. You can kayak and paddle on the lake, which makes it all the more enjoyable with children. Please note, however, that dogs are not allowed on the lake, even on a leash.
Related article: What to see and do in Lourdes? Must-sees
10. The Abbadia estate
- Distance: 5.6 km
- Difference in altitude: 150 m
- Duration: 1 h 30
- Itinerary
This looped itinerary is perfect if you're looking for a family hike in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, more specifically near Hendaye. The estate is that of Château d'Abbadia, a superb neo-Gothic building dating from the 19th century, which you can visit to discover its interior architecture and scientific collections. You'll then walk around the estate along a path with no great difficulty, except that the ground can be muddy after rainy weather, so good walking shoes are recommended.
11. Chemin des Pères and Chemin Demontzey
- Distance: 5.8 km
- Difference in altitude: 302 m
- Duration: 2 hours
- Itinerary
This walk follows the course of a river under the trees of a forest, making it ideal for hot weather. You'll discover the beautiful Lutour waterfall. The route presents no particular difficulties, except that it is a little uphill on the first part.
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