LES GORGES DE KAKOUETTA (2 of 2)
JEREMY TAYLOR: WRITER - TEACHER - JUGGLER
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LES GORGES DE KAKOUETTA (2 of 2) |
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This vertical shot of the gorge give an indication of its height, but nothing beats being there. The boards and rocks are slippery - and would be more so during rain so hiking boots are strongly advised. | ||
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The stream is emerald green in colour - indicative of the glacial nature of its source. With the cool water and the lack of direct sun, makes les gorges de kakouetta a delightfully cool place to be in summer. | ||
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Towards the end of the gorge, a waterfall spurts out of the side of a sheer rock face. | ||
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And a small path allows you to climb up behind the waterfall - just like Tarzan does in his films. | ||
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Click on the image to get a better idea of the rock face above the fall. At certain times of the year a hard hat would be a sensible precaution from lumps of rock that may fall with the water. | ||
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A close-up of the lush vegetation - moss, lichen and liverworts some of which are endemic to the region. | ||
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A final look down the gorge. Definitely recommended though not mid afternoon in peak season (July-August). | ||
Practical Information The Gorges de Kakouetta is located very close to the Spanish border in the French Pyrenees. Sadly there is no public transport which will take you close to the gorge. By far the best way to get there is to put your bicycle on the train from Pau to Oloron and cycle the 45km. There are very few hills and even then, the gradients are modest. Accommodation in the area: In 2006, I stayed at Ibarra - a small campsite just South of the village of Casernes and a short ride from the gorges de kakouetta. They don't have a website but their telephone number is 0559 287 359. The price was 5 euros for a night. Also in the village of Casernes there is a tiny grocery store (with no indication that it is a grocery store from the outside) opposite the Mairie (for which you will see signs). |
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