Blending the sacred with the scenic, this day trip by eBike takes you from the spiritual heart of Lourdes to the dramatic alpine beauty of the Pont d’Espagne.
Following old railway lines turned greenways, the route winds through sleepy Pyrenean villages, lush valleys, and soaring peaks—tracing a path once travelled by miners and mountain trains.
Along the way, expect waterfalls, wild detours, a dash of history, and just enough sweat to earn your cheese at the end.
We woke to a sky so blue it could have been painted on. Not a single cloud to be seen, which in the mountains usually means one thing: make the most of it before the weather notices. So, seizing the moment with the kind of optimism normally reserved for picnics and lunar launches, we decided to embark on an eBike day trip—from Lourdes to the dramatic alpine attraction that is the Pont d’Espagne, via Argelès-Gazost and Cauterets.
Our route would follow the Voie Verte des Gaves—a greenway that’s a blessing for cyclists, built along the course of an old railway line. Originally constructed in the 19th century to connect the spa towns of the Hautes-Pyrénées, this line once ferried tourists and thermal bathers to and from the mountains. It now connects Lourdes to Pierrefitte-Nestalas, with a branch—the Voie Verte de Pierrefitte-Nestalas à Cauterets—continuing to the spa town of Cauterets, along a picturesque and persistently uphill path.
But first, a few words about Lourdes. Famous worldwide as a pilgrimage site, Lourdes receives around six million visitors annually—many drawn by the story of Bernadette Soubirous, who reported apparitions of the Virgin Mary in 1858. Today, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, with its grand basilicas and healing waters, sits beside the Château Fort de Lourdes, an imposing medieval castle-turned-museum perched on a rocky outcrop. It’s a town where the spiritual and the spectacular coexist peacefully, occasionally punctuated by tour groups in matching hats.
After a brief wander around the sanctuary and a well-earned snack (pilgrimage or no, one must fuel up), we mounted our bikes and set off on the Voie Verte des Gaves—literally, the greenway of the rivers. This section runs for about 18km, beginning on the outskirts of Lourdes and winding gently past Pyrenean villages and farmland, always within sight or sound of the Gave de Pau river.
Not long out of town, we discovered a charming little restaurant tucked by the path. We stopped for what we cheerfully called liquid encouragement before continuing. Leo, full of beans, convinced us to take a short detour along the VTT route Les Berges du Gave—a forested trail that shadows the river’s edge. It was manageable enough, even for Maria, who’s slightly less keen on surprise inclines. We emerged near an old railway bridge—now lovingly repurposed for the greenway—and rolled triumphantly into Argelès-Gazost.
A spa town of some charm, Argelès once had a bustling railway station, now quiet but not forgotten. We coasted on, through fields populated by cows, horses, sheep, and the occasional wandering chicken—none of whom seemed remotely fazed by our electric intrusion—until we reached Pierrefitte-Nestalas.
This small town, once an industrial hub, played a key role in the region’s mining and metalwork economy. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the surrounding mountains were mined for lead, zinc, and copper, and Pierrefitte was a crucial transit point for ore, timber, and goods moving up and down the valley. It also hosted a large metalworking foundry and later a chemical processing plant. The grand Hotel de France, built in 1909, served railway passengers and mining engineers alike, offering a touch of elegance amid the valley’s industrious thrum. Today, it offers more than just a place to stay. The hotel’s splendid restaurant serves up a generous menu du jour every weekday for just €15, making it one of the best-value meals in the valley. Expect hearty local fare, regional wines, and a warm welcome—perfect fuel after a morning of pedalling. The old train station, now repurposed as a cheerful daycare centre, is a lovely example of the region’s knack for reinvention.
From here, the second leg began: the Voie Verte de Pierrefitte-Nestalas à Cauterets. A steady climb all the way. My trusty Trek eBike, armed with a hearty 86Nm motor, tackled it with smug ease. Maria’s bike—offering roughly the enthusiasm of a tired donkey—struggled nobly, if less swiftly. Lesson learned: not all eBikes are created equal, and torque is king when the road turns skyward.
We arrived in Cauterets (altitude approx. 950m)—a vibrant spa and ski town with everything from thermal baths and open-air pools to ice rinks, gondolas, and lively bars. It’s a place that’s clearly figured out how to make mountain life attractive year-round. Here, Maria and Leo called it a day, lured by the promise of relaxation and snacks. I, possessed by some temporary madness, carried on.
The road to the Pont d’Espagne (alt. 1,496m) was short but steep, threading its way uphill beside thundering waterfalls and thick pine forest. The Pont d’Espagne—literally the Bridge of Spain—was constructed in the early 1800s as a strategic crossing over the Gave du Marcadau river. It once formed part of a centuries-old trade route connecting France to Spain through the Pyrenees. Today, it’s a postcard-perfect stone bridge surrounded by alpine grandeur.
Once there, breath slightly short and shirt thoroughly soaked, I was rewarded with a cinematic panorama and the sight of the Lac de Gaube trail beginning nearby. This glacial lake, sitting at 1,725m, is famed for its turquoise waters and picture-perfect views of the Vignemale massif. You can hike there or catch a gondola and chairlift combo. Tempted as I was to swim, the average summer water temperature of just 10–12°C made me think better of it. Instead, I soaked up the view, zipped up my windbreaker, and pointed my handlebars downhill.
The return to Lourdes was, thankfully, mostly downhill—gravity doing the work while my mind replayed the day: waterfalls, companionship, and the happy hum of tyres on tarmac. One of those rare days where everything seemed to click—sun, scenery, and just enough sweat.
The round trip is absolutely doable on eBikes, even for casual cyclists. The scenery is glorious, the path largely traffic-free, and the mix of history, nature, and small-town charm makes for a truly memorable day out. Just don’t forget to check your motor specs—or pack a spare battery.
Merci, Pyrenees. À la prochaine.
