Saint-Orens Abbey and Lake Isaby from Ortiac

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A beautiful hike that leads to Lake Isaby via the ruins of Saint-Orens Abbey and the Isaby Valley. A pleasant trail, sometimes steep, mostly in the forest before coming out onto the lake and the surrounding peaks (Soum and Pic de Léviste, Soum Arrouy, Soum de Lascours).

Details

n°81678647
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.88 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,608 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,608 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 5,148 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,621 ft
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Photos

Lake Isaby
St Orens Abbey
St Orens Abbey
St Orens Abbey

Description of the walk

In Villelongue, follow the signs for Ortiac and Abbaye de Saint-Orens. Go through the hamlet of Ortiac and continue along the track. Pass the first small car park on the left and park in the second one (maximum 4 to 6 cars).

(S/E) Follow the track to the first hairpin bend.

(1) Take the path on the left that descends (towards "Prade, Lac d'Isaby"), cross the bridge over the Ruisseau d'Isaby and start the climb towards the abbey.

(2) The path runs alongside the ruins. A small path on the right leads to the heart of the abbey. Then continue climbing.

(3) At the edge of the forest, the trail joins a carriage road. Follow it to the left.

(4) Join the track that you left shortly after setting off and follow it to the left.

(5) Continue past the end of the track (it continues but is not open to traffic) and pass close to the Isaby power station.

(6) Leave the track and take the well-marked path that climbs to the right (cairn at the corner).

(7) After a steep climb, leave the path that branches off to the right and continue straight ahead on a path along the hillside.

(8) When you leave the forest, cross a small bridge. Then follow the most obvious path that will lead you to Lake Isaby.

(9) Turn around and return along the same route to the car park (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,621 ft - Parking at the edge of the track
  2. 1 : mi 0.13 - alt. 2,762 ft - Fork
  3. 2 : mi 0.33 - alt. 2,936 ft - Abbaye Ruinée de Saint-Orens
  4. 3 : mi 0.67 - alt. 3,442 ft - Junction with a carriageway
  5. 4 : mi 0.98 - alt. 3,497 ft - Junction with a track
  6. 5 : mi 1.21 - alt. 3,550 ft - End of the track
  7. 6 : mi 2.1 - alt. 4,085 ft - Trailhead
  8. 7 : mi 2.28 - alt. 4,498 ft - Fork
  9. 8 : mi 3.54 - alt. 5,059 ft - Bridge
  10. 9 : mi 3.89 - alt. 5,108 ft - Lac d'Isaby
  11. S/E : mi 7.88 - alt. 2,621 ft - Parking at the side of the track

Notes

The hike can be shortened by driving to the end of the track, but there is no guarantee that the track will be in good condition for the part we did not follow (between points and (4)). In this case, you will not pass the abbey.

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 2 reviews
Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
geai47
geai47

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed on 5 September 2025.
From Ortiac, the route takes you to the former priory of Saint Orens: beautiful ruins that give an idea of the size of this religious community. After a large clearing, the trail winds through a magnificent beech forest before arriving at the lake. The trail is not difficult. Also accessible from Hautacam, Lake Isaby is likely to be very busy in summer.
Return via the track.
The route was not very busy on that day.

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Christopher-McCandless
Christopher-McCandless

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Route taken on 7 September 2025. The temperature is high at the starting point, but most of the route is through woods, sheltered from the sun. It is a fairly strenuous hike. There are some steep climbs and some very steep climbs. Apart from that, there are no difficulties to report. The ruins of the abbey are interesting and make for some nice photos. The climb from point 6 to 7 is quite tough. The rest is very pleasant. Return via the same route to point 4. We took the track that branches off to the left and leads to point 1. It's a little longer but more relaxing. No one on the route but crowds at the lake. A good hike, thank you very much!

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