Rules for visiting Cauterets
What is allowed and what is not at the resort and around it: camping, motorhomes, ski touring, dogs, drones and fires. Each rule links to the official source it comes from.
The resort lies within Pyrenees National Park (Parc national des Pyrénées). The Pont d'Espagne area lies in the core zone (cœur) of the park, so its public-use rules also apply. Source: cauterets.com
⛺ Camping and bivouac
- With conditionsCamping is prohibited in the core of the park, including inside a vehicle. Bivouacking is only allowed from 19:00 to 9:00, in a tent too low to stand up in or in a natural shelter, more than 1 h on foot from roads open to vehicles, or in authorised areas.Source: aida.ineris.fr
🚐 Motorhomes and caravans
- With conditionsTo sleep in a motorhome you must park in one of the two designated areas (Place de la Patinoire, at the entrance, and avenue Charles Thierry, towards the Pont d'Espagne) or at a campsite. They are paid and include water, electricity and waste emptying.Source: ville-cauterets.fr
🎿 Ski touring and snowshoes on the slopes
- With conditionsThe Pont d'Espagne snowshoe trail (6 km, free) shares the tracks with cross-country skiers. You must follow the purple waymarks.Source: cauterets.com
🐕 Dogs
- ProhibitedAt the Pont d'Espagne, which is in the core of the park, dogs are banned throughout the area in winter. From 1 May to 31 October they are allowed on a leash as far as the plateau du Clot and the Gaube lake, and are banned beyond that.Source: cauterets.com
🛸 Drones
- ProhibitedFlying below 1.000 m over the core of the park with motorised aircraft is prohibited (the park counts drones as such here), unless authorised by the park director.Source: aida.ineris.fr
🔥 Fires and barbecues
- ProhibitedCarrying or lighting fires away from dwellings is prohibited in the core of the park. Self-contained portable stoves are exempt, in the places and under the conditions set by the park director.Source: aida.ineris.fr
🛷 Sledging
- With conditionsThere are two sledding areas. At the Cirque du Lys, the run is marked out at the foot of the ski slopes; the pedestrian sledding pass costs 13 € and is free with a ski pass. At the plateau du Clot (Pont d'Espagne) it is free and parking costs 8 €/day.Source: cauterets.com
📋 Other rules
- ProhibitedDamaging, carrying or removing wild plants is prohibited in the core of the park. The director may regulate the picking of mushrooms, snails and unprotected medicinal plants.Source: aida.ineris.fr
- ProhibitedDriving and parking motor vehicles outside national and departmental roads is prohibited in the core of the park, unless authorised.Source: aida.ineris.fr
Frequently asked questions
- Can you camp or bivouac at Cauterets?
- With conditions. Camping is prohibited in the core of the park, including inside a vehicle. Bivouacking is only allowed from 19:00 to 9:00, in a tent too low to stand up in or in a natural shelter, more than 1 h on foot from roads open to vehicles, or in authorised areas.
- Can you sleep in a motorhome at Cauterets?
- With conditions. To sleep in a motorhome you must park in one of the two designated areas (Place de la Patinoire, at the entrance, and avenue Charles Thierry, towards the Pont d'Espagne) or at a campsite. They are paid and include water, electricity and waste emptying.
- Can you skin up the slopes at Cauterets?
- With conditions. The Pont d'Espagne snowshoe trail (6 km, free) shares the tracks with cross-country skiers. You must follow the purple waymarks.
- Can you bring a dog to Cauterets?
- Prohibited. At the Pont d'Espagne, which is in the core of the park, dogs are banned throughout the area in winter. From 1 May to 31 October they are allowed on a leash as far as the plateau du Clot and the Gaube lake, and are banned beyond that.
- Can you fly a drone at Cauterets?
- Prohibited. Flying below 1.000 m over the core of the park with motorised aircraft is prohibited (the park counts drones as such here), unless authorised by the park director.
- Can you light a fire or barbecue at Cauterets?
- Prohibited. Carrying or lighting fires away from dwellings is prohibited in the core of the park. Self-contained portable stoves are exempt, in the places and under the conditions set by the park director.
- Where can you go sledging at Cauterets?
- With conditions. There are two sledding areas. At the Cirque du Lys, the run is marked out at the foot of the ski slopes; the pedestrian sledding pass costs 13 € and is free with a ski pass. At the plateau du Clot (Pont d'Espagne) it is free and parking costs 8 €/day.
Before you go
Rules collected on 12 October 2026 and reviewed every month. Rules change and may have exceptions: if in doubt, follow the protected area, the local council or the resort. Translated from Spanish; some sources may be in another language.