Exceptionally rich in flora and fauna, the Pyrenees National Park, with a surface area of 45,707 hectares in the "heart" area and 206,352 hectares in the "optimum area of adhesion", extends to the south-west of Hautes-Pyrénées and to the south-east of Pyrénées-Atlantiques. A paradise for walking fans, the Pyrenees National Park features a vast network of hiking trails. This wild and unspoiled area is home to the highest summits of the French Pyrenees and no fewer than 230 high-altitude lakes!
To find out more about this protected natural area, the Park's visitor centres (Maisons du Parc) located in Arrens-Marsous, Cauterets, Luz-Saint-Sauveur, Gavarnie, Saint-Lary-Soulan in the Hautes-Pyrénées, and Etsaut and Laruns in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, have a wealth of information available for visitors and organise permanent and temporary exhibitions relating to the mountains throughout the year.
In Pyrénées-Atlantiques, discover the heritage of the Béarn mountains. The upper parts of the Aspe and Ossau valleys are home to a magnificent natural environment inhabited by marmots, chamois, golden eagles and peregrine falcons... An ideal destination for walking along the many trails, or fishing in the abundant waters of the lakes and streams of Upper Béarn. Two sites located on the French-Spanish border are particularly worth visiting: the Somport Pass with its panoramic view of the Pyrenean peaks; and the Pourtalet Pass with its superb views of the iconic Pic du Midi d'Ossau!
