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Self-catering Hut · Pyrenees · 2,657 m
Fédération Francaise des Clubs Alpins et de Montagne (FFCAM)

Refuge de Tuquerouye

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Refuge de Tuquerouye
Photo: Thomas Rasch, CC BY, Outdooractive Editors

The Refuge de Tuquerouye is located at 2666 m in the Brèche de Tuquerouye above the Cirque d'Estaubé. The unattended CAF hut is a base on the HRP near the Mont Perdu massif.

The Refuge de Tuquerouye, also known as Refuge Lourde-Rocheblave, is a small, unattended refuge run by the Club Alpin Français (Lourdes-Cauterets section) in the central Pyrenees. It stands at 2666 m directly in the narrow Brèche de Tuquerouye on the border between France and Spain, above the Cirque d'Estaubé and opposite the north face of Mont Perdu in the Pyrenees National Park. With just 12 beds, it is one of the most pristine mountain huts in the region and is considered the oldest and highest refuge in the Pyrenees. The hut is open all year round, albeit unattended, and is mainly used as a stage on the Haute Route des Pyrénées and as a base for alpinist tours to Mont Perdu, Cylindre du Marboré and the Astazous peaks. The best time to visit is in the period with less snow, from late spring to fall, when the approach via the steep couloir is usually easier. The hut has a simple lounge with wooden tables, a stove and basic cooking equipment; water can be fetched from Lac Glacé below the refuge. The hut was built in 1890 in ogival style, extended in 1927 and later renovated several times. Current conditions, possible closures and the weather situation should be checked carefully before each tour.

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Rooms

The stone building consists of a single bedroom with a total of 12 mattresses and blankets as well as a simple lounge with two wooden tables and a multi-fuel stove; firewood is stored under the loungers. The hut is unattended, there is no electricity, no sanitary facilities and no running water; it takes about 15 minutes to walk down to Lac Glacé to fetch water. You have to bring your own lighting and emergency equipment; your own sleeping bag increases your comfort. The refuge effectively functions as a winter shelter all year round and remains open permanently. In accordance with FFCAM regulations, the overnight fee is paid after the stay via the online payment system; there is no cash desk or card reader on site. According to the operator, dogs are allowed in the refuge, but must be handled with consideration so as not to disturb other guests and the sensitive high mountain environment.

Sleeping beds

Number of beds in dorm

Winter room

General

Year built 1890
hiker friendly

Features

Pets permitted

Awards

hiker friendly

Address

Refuge de Tuquerouye
65120 Gavarnie
Occitanie

Public transport

By public transport, you usually travel to Lourdes by train first. From there, regional bus lines (liO 965) connect Lourdes with the valleys as far as Gavarnie-Gèdre; depending on the season, local shuttle buses are also available. From the bus stops in Gavarnie or in the valley near Gèdre, you can continue on foot or by cab to the starting points of Gavarnie Village or Barrage des Gloriettes, from where the long alpine ascent to the Refuge begins.

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Refuge de Tuquerouye

Directions

The approach begins either in the village of Gavarnie or at the parking lot at the Barrage des Gloriettes above Gèdre. From Gavarnie, the marked trail leads via the Les Espuguettes hut and the Hourquette d'Alans towards the high valley above the Cirque d'Estaubé; you should allow around 3.5 hours for the approximately 1,290 meters of ascent to the Brèche de Tuquerouye. From the Barrage des Gloriettes, you first climb through the Estaubé valley, then gain altitude westwards towards Hourquette d'Alans and follow a path at around 2200 m to the Borne de Tuquerouye; from there, a snow or scree slope around 300 m high and up to around 40 degrees steep leads directly up to the refuge, a total of around 3 hours and 1000 vertical meters. The final ascent requires alpine experience and, depending on the conditions, appropriate equipment.

Parking

To access the Refuge de Tuquerouye, the FFCAM recommends the parking lot in the village of Gavarnie (Gavarnie Village) and the parking lot at the Barrage des Gloriettes above Gèdre. Both parking areas are accessible by road and serve as starting points for the described ascents via Les Espuguettes and the Hourquette d'Alans or through the Estaubé valley to the Borne de Tuquerouye.

Coordinates

42.697902, 0.040322

DMS

42°41'52.4"N 0°02'25.2"E

UTM

31T 257574 4731516

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Localization

Parts of this content were machine translated from German.

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