Cascade d'Ars waterfall
Cascade d'Ars waterfall, a major attraction of the Couserans area
The Cascade d’Ars is one of the finest waterfalls in the Pyrenees. The famous, late 19th century, Pyrenean explorer, Count Henry Russell, considered it to be head and shoulders above the rest. Situated on the edge of the well-known village of Aulus-les-Bains, water from the Cascade d'Ars drops 246m in three stages. The falls are at their best during May and June when the snow is melting.
A key attraction of the Couserans area, the waterfall is an easy walk for all the family along a mountain track, a round trip takes between 3½ and 4 hours. At Aulus–les-Bains, in the Vallée du Garbet, go over the bridge in the direction of Col de Latrape and stop at the first hairpin bend. The walk starts here and climbs up through a wooded valley with no view of the falls. Then suddenly you emerge from the trees and there they are in all their splendour!
Next, you need to climb a further 300m to the top of the waterfall at Cap de Pich (1,548m). The path runs along by the waterfall with superb views at different levels. Take a breather when you arrive at the Passerelle d’Ars footbridge then continue along the GR10 for just over an hour to the Etang de Guzet (pool). The return along an easy, wide path brings you back to the starting point.