Gorges de Kakouetta

The Gorges de Kakouetta is a narrow (down to 5 metres in places) gorge, over 300 metres deep and about 2 kilometres long. It is one of three gorges in the area and is the most popular with tourists. It is open from mid march until mid November from 8 in the morning (when the place is deserted) until nightfall. The entry price is (May 2006) 4 euros. The walk along the gorges de kakouetta will take you between 2 and 3 hours depending on how busy it is and how often you stop to take pictures.
		The Gorges de Kakouetta is looked after by a Basque family who live at the entrance of the Gorges. They run a café, maintain the path and provide helmets for those who think they might need them.
		I arrived at the gorges de kakouetta at 8.30 in the morning having stayed at a lovely riverside campsite 2.5km down the road. I was the first person to enter the gorges and had it - almost - all to myself.
		At the end of the first part of the trail there is a tunnel (which is locked out of season and at night). I saw a dipper there but this elusive bird was far too quick to be photographed.
		The trail along the gorges de kakouetta is well maintained - perhaps too well for some people's tastes. However there is the danger of flooding in stormy weather and there is an alarm system to alert people so that they can get out of the gorge.
		With its high sides and the high humidity the gorge has a microclimate of its own. So much so that there are four species of lichen, including Pyrenula kakouettae, which grow nowhere else in the world. I was very fortunate to have the whole gorges de kakouetta to himself. It is certainly a very different place when full of screaming children.
		Damn, just when I wanted to park my Subaru 4x4...
Want to see more pictures of the Gorges de Kakouetta including the amazing waterfall at the end of the gorge?

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LES GORGES DE KAKOUETTA (1 of 2)
LES GORGES DE KAKOUETTA (1 of 2)