Gavarnie Falls, Waterfall in Hautes-Pyrénées, France
Gavarnie Falls descends in multiple stages over limestone cliffs, with the main drop reaching 281 meters and flowing into a natural basin below. The water tumbles down a sweeping rock face that forms an amphitheater shape carved by ancient glaciers.
The falls were created around 20,000 years ago when glaciers carved through the mountain landscape, forming the distinctive amphitheater shape visible today. This glacial action continues to shape the rocks and the path of the water flow.
The Falls became part of the Pyrenees National Park in 1967 and received UNESCO World Heritage recognition for its geological and natural significance in 1997.
You can reach the falls via a marked trail from Gavarnie village that follows well-maintained paths through the landscape. Trail conditions vary by season, with snow possible in winter and muddy stretches after rain, so proper footwear is advisable.
During winter the water can freeze solid, transforming the cascades into an ice sculpture across the rock face. In summer the opposite happens as snowmelt swells the flow dramatically, creating a thunderous roar that echoes through the valley.
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