Gourette facts for kids
Gourette is a popular winter sports resort located in the French Pyrenees mountains. It's found in the village of Eaux-Bonnes, within the Pyrénées-Atlantiques region of France. You can reach Gourette by driving on the D 918 road, which goes over the famous Col d'Aubisque mountain pass. The closest airport is Pau Pyrénées Airport.
Contents
Winter Fun at Gourette
When winter arrives, Gourette becomes a fantastic place for snow activities! It has one of the biggest ski areas in the Pyrenees. There are 30 marked trails for skiing, stretching from 1,400 to 2,400 meters high. This covers about 90 hectares of slopes, mostly facing north, which helps keep the snow in great condition.
Besides skiing, you can also enjoy snowboarding and exploring special trails for snowshoeing. In 2005, a lot of money was spent to make the resort even better. They improved the ski trails, added new ski lifts, and built more places for visitors to stay. All these changes made Gourette a top spot for winter fun!
Summer Adventures in Gourette
Gourette is not just for winter; it's also a wonderful place to visit in the summer! Tourists come to explore the beautiful valley of the Gave d'Ossau and its many lakes.
There are lots of outdoor activities to try, like sightseeing, hiking on mountain paths, biking, and even rock climbing. If you're feeling adventurous, you can try mountaineering and climb the impressive Pic du Midi d'Ossau, which stands tall at 2,884 meters (9,462 feet). The famous French GR 10 hiking trail, which crosses the entire Pyrenees, also passes right through the village.
Gourette and the Tour de France
Gourette has even been part of the world-famous Tour de France bicycle race! In 2007, the race passed through Gourette. The road that goes over the Col d'Aubisque pass, reaching 1,710 meters (5,610 feet) high, is very challenging for cyclists. It has steep sections with slopes from 7.5% to 10%. Because of its difficulty, it's considered a "Hors Catégorie" climb, which means it's one of the toughest climbs in professional cycling races.
See also
In Spanish: Gourette para niños
