Skip to content
The snow-covered north face of the Vignemale, with the Gaube couloir

Bujaruelo and the French side of the Vignemale · Adventure and Nature

Vignemale Circuit: a trek around the giant of the Pyrenees

A multi-day circuit of the Vignemale massif, the highest peak in the French Pyrenees, by way of the Cirque de Gavarnie.

  • CategoryAdventure and Nature
  • LevelAdvanced
  • Duration3-4 days, with an optional ascent
  • From€124 per person
5.0· 76 Google reviews
Discover

Activity overview

Around the roof of the French Pyrenees, with Gavarnie along the way

The Vignemale Circuit goes around the highest mountain in the French Pyrenees in 3-4 days, with the Oulettes de Gaube and Bayssellance refuges, and the Cirque de Gavarnie to close the trek. With an Ecotour mountain leader and the option of adding the summit of the Petit Vignemale.

From €340 per person (classic 3-day circuit) or €455 (4 days with the optional ascent of the Petit Vignemale), for groups of 6-10 people, with guide, insurance and half board in the refuges included. Midday packed lunches, transport and technical equipment are not included; confirmed on request depending on dates and the actual group size.

Ask about the full package
The north face of the Vignemale, with the Gaube couloir
  • AreaBujaruelo and the French side of the Vignemale
  • Duration3-4 days, depending on the optional ascent
  • GuideEcotour mountain leader
  • Group size6-10 people
  • EcosystemsFranco-Spanish Pyrenean high mountains, Ossoue glacier

Reading the landscape

Bujaruelo and the French side of the Vignemale: the landscape up close

Geology and landscape, Wildlife, Plants and Heritage: a closer look at the setting of this activity. Documentary images of species or places not taken at the exact point of the route are shown for reference only, and sightings are not guaranteed.

North face of the Vignemale, reference image (geology and landscape)
North face of the VignemaleThe Gaube couloir and the north wall, visible from the terrace of the Oulettes de Gaube refuge itself.
The Cirque de Gavarnie, reference image (geology and landscape)
The Cirque de GavarnieA rock amphitheatre of glacial origin, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its great waterfall.
Ossoue glacier, reference image (geology and landscape)
Ossoue glacierOne of the last active glaciers in the Pyrenees, on the French side of the massif.
01 / 03
Geology and landscapeThe highest massif in the French Pyrenees
View the documentary source ↗
Pyrenean chamois (isard), reference image (wildlife)
Pyrenean chamois (isard)Rupicapra pyrenaica pyrenaica · found on both sides of the Vignemale massif.
Alpine marmot, reference image (wildlife)
Alpine marmotMarmota marmota · a common sight in the high-mountain pastures around Gavarnie.
Bearded vulture, reference image (wildlife)
Bearded vultureGypaetus barbatus · one of the key populations of the Franco-Spanish Pyrenees flies over this massif.
01 / 03
WildlifePyrenees National Park (France) · sightings not guaranteed
View the documentary source ↗
Moss campion, reference image (plants)
Moss campionSilene acaulis · a cushion plant of rocky ground, found around both refuges on the trek.
Cottongrass, reference image (plants)
CottongrassEriophorum · common in waterlogged ground beside the lakes and peat bogs along the route.
01 / 02
PlantsHigh-mountain flora of the Vignemale massif
View the documentary source ↗
Refuge des Oulettes de Gaube, reference image (heritage)
Refuge des Oulettes de GaubeA mountain refuge facing the north face of the Vignemale, the first overnight stop of the trek.
Refuge de Bayssellance, reference image (heritage)
Refuge de BayssellanceAt 2,651 m, the highest staffed refuge in the French Pyrenees, and one of the oldest in the whole range.
01 / 02
HeritageThe refuges of the Vignemale trek
View the documentary source ↗

Local photos: Ecotour archive. Documentary images: free-licence image banks or Wikimedia Commons, used under licence or with permission. The species and features shown are documented in the area, but seeing them during the activity is not guaranteed.

Before you book

Is this trek for you?

This is an international high-mountain trek: you need good fitness and, if you add the summit, previous experience on glacier terrain.

  • Physical effort4/5
  • Technical difficulty3/5
Great fit

You'll love it if…

  • You already have experience of multi-day treks with nights in mountain refuges.
  • You like the idea of combining a circuit of the massif with the option of summiting the Petit Vignemale.
  • You want to discover the French side of the Pyrenees and the Cirque de Gavarnie without giving up the high mountains.
Worth a second look

It might not be for you if…

  • It is your first multi-day trek: start with a shorter route from our catalogue.
  • You want to climb the Petit Vignemale with no previous experience on glacier terrain.

Private group

A private guide for your group

The activity is reserved exclusively for your group. The total price is split between participants, so the more of you there are, the less each person pays, with no change to the route, the attention you get or the guide's judgement.

Vignemale Circuit: a trek around the giant of the PyreneesPrice per person
Classic circuit, 3 daysBest price
Per person, group of 6-10; half board in the refuges includedGroup total: €NaN
Circuit + Petit Vignemale ascent, 4 daysBest price
Per person, group of 6-10; half board in the refuges includedGroup total: €NaN

The deposit to confirm your date is €60 and is deducted from the total. Before you pay, you'll receive the change and cancellation conditions in writing.

Ask about dates and availability

Before confirming, we go over your experience, fitness and kit with you.

Javier Gil
AEGM / UIMLA-qualified mountain leader · Ecotour Experiences

Who'll be with you on this activity

Javier Gil

Crossing into France over the Col des Mulets and sleeping in the highest staffed refuge in the French Pyrenees is not a route you improvise: the guide checks the state of the Ossoue glacier before suggesting the optional ascent of the Petit Vignemale.

The Ecotour guide who leads you on this trek adapts the plan to the group, that year's snow and the weather on both sides of the border.

  • AEGM / UIMLA-qualified mountain leader

Detailed itinerary

The activity, day by day

Bujaruelo – Oulettes de Gaube refuge

DAY 1

Bujaruelo – Oulettes de Gaube refuge

  • Oulettes de Gaube refuge
  • Dinner and breakfast at the refuge (included in the price)

Setting out from Bujaruelo, you head up the upper Ara valley to the Col des Mulets, the border between Spain and France, then descend to the Oulettes de Gaube refuge, with the north face of the Vignemale straight ahead.

Hourquette d'Ossoue – Petit Vignemale (optional) – Bayssellance refuge

DAY 2

Hourquette d'Ossoue – Petit Vignemale (optional) – Bayssellance refuge

  • Bayssellance refuge
  • Dinner and breakfast at the refuge (included in the price)

Climb to the Hourquette d'Ossoue and, as an optional extension, ascend the Petit Vignemale (3,032 m) over glacier terrain. Night at Bayssellance, at 2,651 metres the highest staffed refuge in the French Pyrenees.

Ossoue dam – La Grange de Holle

DAY 3

Ossoue dam – La Grange de Holle

  • La Grange de Holle refuge
  • Dinner and breakfast (included in the price)

Descent past the Ossoue dam to the La Grange de Holle refuge, leaving the highest part of the trek behind.

Cirque de Gavarnie – Port de Bujaruelo – Bujaruelo

DAY 4

Cirque de Gavarnie – Port de Bujaruelo – Bujaruelo

  • Breakfast; packed lunch for the day (not included)

The last day, crossing the Plateau de Bellevue with views of the Cirque de Gavarnie before returning to Spain over the Port de Bujaruelo (Port de Boucharo).

Activity highlights

What makes this one special

Included

  • With you throughout the trek.

    Ecotour mountain leader
  • When bookings open, the planned price will include arranging the refuges on the trek on a half-board basis.

    Refuge booking management
  • Dinner and breakfast at every refuge on the trek, included in the price.

    Half board in the refuges
  • Included for the whole trek.

    Accident and third-party liability insurance
  • A private group of travellers to share routes, photos and upcoming departures.

    Access to the Ecotour Explorers community
  • Included in the activity.

    Public liability and accident insurance

Not included

  • To the meeting point in Torla or Bujaruelo.

    Transport
  • Food and drink for each day, apart from what the refuges themselves provide.

    Daily packed lunches
  • Crampons, ice axe and harness for those adding the optional ascent.

    Technical equipment for the Petit Vignemale

Additional information

  • Meeting point

    In Torla or directly at the Bujaruelo refuge, the start point of the trek.

  • Price and group

    From €340 per person for the 3-day version, or €455 for the 4-day version with the optional ascent, with half board in the refuges included, for a group of 6 to 10 people.

  • Crossing the border

    The trek crosses into France over the Col des Mulets: bring a valid national ID card or passport.

  • Before you book

    We go over your real experience of multi-day treks with you and, if you are interested in the Petit Vignemale, your previous experience on glacier terrain.

Before you set off

What to bring

Hiking boots

Mountain boots

Well broken-in boots with good grip for mixed terrain of rock and lingering snow.

Warm layers and waterproofs for rain and wind

Layered clothing

A full layering system: the trek crosses cols above 2,700 metres.

Map, compass and personal items for the route

Documents

A valid national ID card or passport: the trek crosses into France over the Col des Mulets.

Trekking rucksack with poles, ready to go

Trekking rucksack

35-45 litres, with your personal kit for the 3-4 days.

Once your date is confirmed, you'll receive the final kit list, adapted to the forecast and ground conditions.

Caring for the environment

Good practice

In the mountains

  • You carry out all your rubbish, including on the French side of the trek.
  • You respect the rules of the Pyrenees National Park (France) and the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park (Spain).
  • You watch wildlife from a distance, without approaching or feeding it.

At the refuge

  • You respect the quiet hours at every refuge on the trek.
  • You use water wisely: Bayssellance, at 2,651 m, is a refuge with very limited resources.
  • You follow the rules of each refuge, French or Spanish.

Frequently asked questions

What people ask us

01Do I have to climb the Petit Vignemale to do the trek?

No, it is an optional extension of one extra day. The circuit of the massif (3-day version) does not include the summit; the 4-day version does, subject to the conditions on the glacier that day.

02Do you really cross into France?

Yes, the trek sets out from Bujaruelo (Spain) and crosses into France over the Col des Mulets, so bring a valid national ID card or passport.

03Where is the highest refuge on the trek?

Bayssellance, at 2,651 metres, the highest staffed refuge in the whole of the French Pyrenees.

04How much does the trek cost?

From €340 per person for the classic 3-day version, or from €455 for the 4-day version with the optional ascent of the Petit Vignemale, for groups of 6 to 10 people. This includes a mountain leader, insurance and half board in the refuges on the trek. It does not include transport, midday packed lunches or technical equipment for the Petit Vignemale.

05When can I do it?

From July to September, when the cols are clear of lingering snow and the Ossoue glacier offers the best conditions for the optional ascent.

06How many people are in the group?

It is organised for groups of 6 to 10 people, with a mountain leader throughout the trek.

Gallery

Moments from the activity

Reviews

What people who have done our activities say

Excellent5.0
Write a review

Our activities

More activities with Ecotour

Our trips

We also run small-group trips

Ecotour community

Be the first to hear about new guides, dates and activities.

A short note when we open departures, publish a useful guide or come across an experience worth a proper look.

No spam. Unsubscribe at any time.