Cauterets is a spa town, a ski resort and a commune in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in south-western France. Cauterets is located 32 km (20 mi) southwest of Lourdes in the beautiful valley of the Gave de Cauterets and borders the Pyrenees National Park. Cauterets is a centre for excursions, the Pic de Péguère (2,316 m), the Monné (2,723 m), the Cabaliros (2,333 m), the Pic de Chabarrou (2,910 m), the Vignemale (3,298 m), and other summits being in its neighborhood. Lac de Gaube is approximately 1hr and 30 minutes walk from Cauterets or can be accessed by a chairlift from the Pont d’Espagne. The Cirque de Lys is also accessible by cable car from where there are panoramic views over the Pyrenees. Cauterets is also a regular stopover for walkers travelling on the coast to coast Pyrenean GR10 walking route. Cauterets is well known for its copious thermal springs. They are chiefly characterized by the presence of sulphur and silicate of soda, and are used in the treatment of diseases of the respiratory organs, rheumatism, skin diseases and many other maladies. The main thermal baths, Thermes Cesar, were opened in 1843 and continue to offer treatments today.