Home > Europe > France > Hautes-Pyrénées > Midi-Pyrénées > Gavarnie > Parc Nacional de Pyrénées > Gavarnie, Grande Cascade de
Gavarnie, Grande Cascade de
Midi-Pyrénées, Hautes-Pyrénées, France
- WATERFALL OVERVIEW
- PICTURES (1) AND MEDIA
- USER COMMENTS
CONFIRMEDThis waterfall has been confirmed by the World Waterfall Database, has been mapped and its height has been approximated but exact measurements have not yet been confirmed.
Grande Cascade de Gavarnie or Gavarnie Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in France and one of the major waterfalls of mainland Europe. The falls are found in the central Pyrénées Mountains in the large glacial Cirque de Gavarnie. During the peak of snowmelt, there are several other waterfalls in the cirque, some standing as tall as Gavarnie itself. Many sources of information on the waterfall have referred to the river as having been harnessed in a hydroelectric scheme. This occurs well below the waterfall itself and does not impact the consistency of the falls.
The falls are fed by part of the headwaters of the Gave de Pau, which heads in karstic formations in the cirque. The stream which the falls occur along actually originates from tiny Lago Helago located just over the border in Spain. The lake is fed by snowmelt and a tiny remnant glacier has no surface outlet. Instead the water seeps into the porous ground and it emerges at the top of Gavarnie Falls to plummet almost 1400 feet to the basin floor.
HISTORY AND NAMES
- Also Known as: Gavarnie Falls
- Gavarnie, Grande Cascade de is the Official name of this waterfall
Our thoughts
Not only does the extraordinary scenery and geology make the Grande Cascade de Gavarnie a world class attraction, but the pristine nature of the setting deep in the Pyrénées mountains has been recognized as globally significant, having been given UNESCO World Heritage Site status. We really don't need to make a case for the Grande Cascade de Gavarnie being considered among the best in the world, it speaks for itself.
| Gavarnie, Grande Cascade de is shown in the center. Additional nearby waterfalls (if any) can be found in the list below. |
Additional Nearby Waterfalls
| Name of Waterfall | Distance |
| Cotatuero, Cascada de | 2.77 mi / 4.42 km |
| Cinca, Cascada del | 2.89 mi / 4.63 km |
|
|
| Or Find More Nearby Waterfalls within: | |
Click any image to enlarge
Photographs which appear on this website are copyright their respective owners. No photograph may be used, repurposed or retransmitted either digitally or in print without the consent of the author. Some photographs may be attributed with a Creative Commons General licence and may be used without restrictions.
Links to Additional Pictures
http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Europe/France/South/Midi-Pyrenees/Gavarnie/photo114294.htm
http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Europe/France/South/Midi-Pyrenees/Gavarnie/photo112777.htm
Find More media
Search for pictures of Gavarnie, Grande Cascade de on: |
Search for video of Gavarnie, Grande Cascade de on: |
User comments
We will be adding the ability for registered users to post comments about waterfalls they have visited in the future.
