Argelès-Gazost walks

To the west of Argelès-Gazost, there is a very pretty, not too difficult circuit on well-maintained trails offering two viewpoints over the Gave de Pau valley and a 360° view of the Central Pyrenees!

Starting from Ouzous, this hike takes you along the discovery trail, around Argelès-Gazost and above the animal park. From there, a 500 m climb takes you to Mont de Gez via the south-southwest. The return route passes through Gez and the Bourdalat equestrian centre before reaching the Ouzous car park. This shaded route mainly follows tracks and paths.

Round trip hike on a good path on the southern slope with Mediterranean-type vegetation, arriving at the station of the old cable car (1935-1969).

An easy and very pleasant walk, ideal if the weather prevents you from going to the high mountains.

Set off to discover this pretty little village between Argelès-Gazost and Lourdes. Don't forget to look up at the sky, where you're sure to spot bearded vultures, black kites and vultures. The flora is also very rich. A perfect walk for families with children.

Starting from the Town Hall in Agos-Vidalos, head towards the church in Vidalos. Then, descend towards the Gave de Pau river at the Pont de Boô-Silhen bridge. Walk along the Gave de Pau (left bank) and then climb up to the Vidalos Tower. You can climb the tower (free of charge) and admire the view over the Argelès valley and the Pyrenees mountain range. Return along the Gave de Pau.

Circular path on the heights of Artalens-Souin, with beautiful views of the valley. The duration is based on walking with two children aged 6 and 10, so it is for guidance only.

This is a physically demanding hike, reserved for experienced hikers or trail runners. The elevation gain is very significant over a relatively short distance. It is advisable to bring plenty of water and protection from the sun, as a significant part of the route is exposed. Protection from wind and rain is also strongly recommended.

A circular route from Pierrefitte-Nestalas to visit the Abbey Church of Saint-Savin and its museum (if open). The Abbey Church is renowned for its furnishings; visit it with the description provided on the website to appreciate them fully. After a steep climb of about an hour up the mountain, the route follows the road, which in practice has very little traffic.The starting point can be adjusted to a car park in Pierrefitte-Nestalas.

A very pretty circular reserved for very good walkers who are not afraid of heights. The hike is classified as difficult because of the passage over a ridge, but there are no particular dangers anda good sense of direction is essential. (¹) Part of the return route is quite steep, after the Col de Las Escures. This hike should only be attempted in the absence of snow and rain. The GPX track is essential for this route.

Hike to a first-class viewpoint in the Hautes-Pyrénées. The ascent along the ridges allows you to enjoy a 360° panorama for much of the route and to visit the Pics du Malinat and Arraillé.

This hike is not technically difficult but goes beyond the scope of a "Sunday stroll". Its appeal lies in reaching the pastoral summer pastures above the magnificent Batsurguère valley, at the gateway to Lourdes, and taking a break in a perfectly maintained refuge hut. To the west, you can see the Aguée valley, towards the Col d'Espadres. The place is quiet and superb. With a bit of luck, you will be in the company of horses roaming free on the grassy slopes of the pass.

One of the most beautiful panoramas in the Cauterets region. Accessible without any particular difficulty. 360° view of the highest peaks in the central Pyrenees.

Here is another way to reach Lac d’Isaby from Ortiac. Along the way, you will visit the ruins of Saint-Orens Abbey and the Paspich and Pradets waterfalls before reaching Lac d’Isaby and climbing up to the Cabane Picourlet.

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).

This ridge hike offers views over a large part of the central Pyrenees. It should only be attempted when there is no thick, unstable snow. The return via the village of Ourdon requires a good sense of direction.

Short hike on the outskirts of Lourdes, in the Batsurguère valley. Above the charming village of Omex, there are isolated pastures in a natural basin, the source of the Moules stream. The pass is topped by the Soum of the same name and the Mail des Portes, the start of the beautiful Pernes ridge, towards the Soum du Montné, gateway to the Saint-Pé-de-Bigorre massif and the Très-Crouts forest.

Pic de Berbeillet is a small, easily accessible peak which, thanks to its location, offers a stunning 360° panoramic view.

A pleasant little summit easily accessible from the large car park at Col de Couraduque. Thefirst part to Col de Bazès is on easy forest tracks. However, thesecond part to the summit of Pic de Bazès is more technical. At the summit, there is a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains.

This is an easy route as there are no steep slopes, although its length could classify it as 'moderate'. It takes you around Lac de Soum via the Col de la Serre, the yellow house, the Col de Bazès and the Cantau hut. A picnic break by the lake will make this route even more accessible.

Short, easy winter hike. This is a standard hike in the Argelès-Gazost region. A wide, well-marked trail leads hikers from the mini winter sports resort of Col de Couraduque to the Refuge du Haugarou, which is actually a beautiful mountain hotel. In winter, this route is best done on snowshoes (even though it is generally well groomed and possibly passable in shoes)! In summer, as the route follows a road, you may encounter cars...

Hike along the ridges with the ascent of Hautacam. The view is exceptional throughout the route. This hike can be done when the snow conditions are stable. This unmarked hike requires a good sense of direction and a GPX track.

Superb views of the surrounding mountains all along the route and from the Hourquette d'Ouscouaou.

A magnificent, challenging hike along the ridges at 2,000 m facing the Pic du Midi de Bigorre. Although off the marked trails, it is quite busy in summer. In winter, it is completely off the beaten track for hikers, particularly in the final section (see note in Practical Information below). In winter, as in summer, save this route for a perfectly clear, sunny day, as the views are remarkable and you won’t regret the effort.

An exceptional, challenging and demanding route through the Très-Croutz forest, first on the Gave de Pau side, with a brief detour to the Val d'Azun side at the Col d'Andorre, then on the plateau at 1,400 m, between the Col d'Espadres and the Saint-Pé ridge (Maletaule or Soums).Summer pastures with centuries of pastoral activity, at the crossroads of important local historical sites, including the famous Très Croutz (the Three Crosses of the Bigourdan bishoprics).

This short family walk takes you to a cute little cave that is very accessible. Over the millennia, it has been home to all kinds of animals, as well as humans. All have left traces, few of which are visible to the naked eye, except for the bear dens and the paleontological excavation sites. What remains is the beautiful volume of this cave, surprising and rare in the region, and its location in the ever-mysterious forest of Très-Croutz.

This is a hike that is accessible to everyone. The entire return journey is in the open at the bottom of the valley and, weather permitting, you can admire the flying wings in flight and the peaks of the Soum de la Pène to Grand Gabizos mountain range (north to north-west).

From the start, there is a superb panorama of the surrounding mountains. The view of the widening lake is splendid.

A very pretty snowshoe circular loop off the beaten track. In the snow and without permanent markings, it is important to follow the description carefully. Your efforts will be rewarded with snow-covered landscapes stretching as far as the eye can see. This hike can be done without snow.

This is an easy, short hike, ideal for young children. The lake, nestled in lush greenery and surrounded by mountains, is truly magnificent. Calm and peaceful, it makes you want to stay there for a long time.

Montaigu is a beautiful peak in the Hautes-Pyrénées, facing the Pic du Midi de Bigorre and set back far enough from the main border range to offer a beautiful 360° view. This slope via the Hautacam ridges is the longest, but it is also the most beautiful and wildest. It offers a few aerial sections that add a certain interest! Only to be attempted if the weather is perfectly clear!

Lac dets Plagnous is a tiny lake above Lac d'Isaby. A little more difficult to access than the latter, it is neglected by hikers. However, it is very pleasant and makes you want to stay on its banks for a while.

This circular walk takes you to four magnificent high-altitude lakes nestled in the heart of the Hautes-Pyrénées: the lakes of Isaby, Plagnous, Ourrec and Bassias (or Couey Seque). The route alternates between mountain paths, mountain pastures and panoramic views of the surrounding peaks. Suitable for walkers accustomed to hiking in mountainous terrain, this route offers an immersion in an unspoilt environment featuring a succession of lakeside scenery, pastoral areas and remarkable viewpoints. A lovely outing to enjoy the diversity of the Pyrenean landscapes and discover several lakes in a single day, or with the option of camping at Lac de Bassias.

Near Lourdes, and dominated by the Pic du Montaigu (2,339 m), the Castelloubon offers a variety of landscapes that can be explored via nine hiking routes of varying lengths. This circular route, starting from Juncalas, follows sections of these trails to explore the eastern part of this High Pyrenees region, featuring forests, pastures and ridges. You can thus admire the high mountain range, the foothills and the plain. It takes you up the Soum de Trées and the Tuquet de Lhési, and also allows you to visit the villages of Gazost, Ourdon, Lias and Ousté.

A classic family walk. A stunning view from the summit, from where, in good weather, you can see the Vignemale, the Pic du Midi de Bigorre, the Ardiden, etc. There are also lovely views towards Lourdes, Tarbes and Pau all along the ascent. The first section is through a well-shaded forest, whilst the second is more exposed. Bring a cap and water in summer. It is a shame, however, that the summit has been left to fall into disrepair, as the promontory is no longer accessible, nor is its orientation table.

Short hike in the hills above Lourdes. The route is very quiet but well worth a look. It follows the northern ridge, which is the longest and has the greatest elevation gain. From the main summit at 791m, where a cross has been erected, there is a 360° view of the Lourdes region. From the second summit at 719m, there is a viewpoint with the old Béout cable car installation. A little further on is the entrance to the cave known as the "Gouffre de Lourdes", which is 82m deep.

Tour of the Cité Saint-Pierre via the Béout ridge, passing by the summit cross and the old cable car station with views of Lourdes, the Gave de Pau and the start of the Vallée des Gaves.This hike in a wild area, with little or no signposting and trails that are difficult to see in summer and overgrown with ferns (especially on the descent), makes it accessible only to "adventurers" over the age of 10 who are not afraid of discovering this little summit!

The Cabane de l'Aoulhet is a popular destination for the inhabitants of Saint-Pé, located above the village in the heart of the Très-Croutz forest. Although it is a stop on many routes in the massif, it can also be a popular destination in itself, on the border between the sunny summer pastures and the mossy forest, with a remarkable view of the Montné cliffs, the steep-sided Génie Longue valley, the Picharrots cliffs and the other summer pastures of Prat du Rey.

A lovely mid-mountain hike through the lush forest of Saint-Pé-de-Bigorre (or Tres-Croutz or Crouts = Three Crosses in Bigourdan). The first quarter of the hike is a bit challenging, as it is steep. You then pass through the Aülhet and Artigue mountain pastures, before following the ridge westwards to the summit of Soum de la Génie Braque. Well known to locals, this route offers a guaranteed change of scenery!

Just a stone’s throw from the village of Saint-Pé-de-Bigorre, this walk takes us along the trail of the massif’s caves, particularly those on a large hilltop, the Mountagnou de la Pale. The caves are dotted along this route as if laid out especially for the walker. We approach the gaping hole of the Gouffre du Hayau, whose unusual size and the draught of air coming in would surely draw you into its dark abyss, were you not careful... This route was significantly altered in May 2024 by the creation of a new ‘karst trail’.

An exceptional and magnificent circular route on the heights of Saint-Pé-de-Bigorre, in the Tres-Croutz forest, then along the ridge of the Soums de Maletaule. This route circles the Génie Braque torrent, which supplies water to the village below. On the mountain pastures, the landscapes are magical in both summer and winter, on the northern side (St-Pé) and the southern side (the main Pyrenees range).

An off-the-beaten-track hike that takes you up two small peaks near Lourdes.A good sense of direction is required for the climb to the Pic du Jer. Do not attempt this hike in wet weather. ⚠️ User comment dated 8 March 2026 => There appears to be a serious access issue at the start due to the poor condition of the track. See alternative route in the practical information section.

On the forgotten trails of Saint-Pé-de-Bigorre No. 6 The Araü is the mountainous ridge jutting out from the Massif de Saint-Pé down to the Gave de Pau at the foot of the village. Its imposing, entirely wooded silhouette conceals pretty clearings, once meadows, some well-known paths and others forgotten, used only by hunters and hiking enthusiasts beneath the tall trees of the forest. Its summit, towering arrogantly over the village, is the Soum de las Toupiettas (1,357m).

A lovely, fairly challenging route offering views of the Pic d'Arrens and the high mountains in the background.A path linking the Tech Dam valley to the Lac d'Estaing valley via the mountain pastures.

On the hillsides of Saint-Pé-de-Bigorre, this 10 km route with an elevation gain of 180 m takes you through everything that makes the immediate surroundings of this village so beautiful: its small paths, meadows, woods, rivers and houses, in short, its rural heritage.Whether you're a regular walker or runner, a local or a visitor, you're sure to enjoy yourself here!

A must-see for Saint-Pé residents and their friends, the peaks of Le Mousqué and La Tourette offer an exotic stroll and magnificent panoramic views of the surroundings of Saint-Pé-de-Bigorre. Ideal at sunset in summer.

In the Hautes-Pyrénées, near Lourdes, Saint-Pé-de-Bigorre reveals some of its charms during this hike: architecture, limestone massif and caves (with views of the Gave de Pau and the surrounding mountains), and even its Devil's Bridge!

This beautiful, accessible walk is steeped in history; it follows the old Pontacq road used by charcoal burners in days gone by. Once you arrive at the Mousqué plateau, you can enjoy a shaded picnic area at the foot of century-old oak trees. From there, admire the superb view of the Saint-Péen massif and its countryside, then the Nay plain stretching all the way to Pau.

Once past the Pierrefite Gorges, you enter the Pays Toy, and Chèze is one of the first villages you come across. Its mining heritage is still visible, and the proposed route gives you a sense of the harshness of the trade, both in terms of the difficulty of accessing the mines and the extraction work itself. The Camparnas site still bears many traces of this activity. A mid-altitude hike best undertaken when the cloud cover is low. See practical information.

A beautiful, easy circular path near the small village of Gez-ez-Angles, located a few kilometres from Lourdes. You will walk along an open ridge to the small summit of Aubuchous, where you can enjoy a wide panorama of the foothills and the Pyrenees mountain range, before returning to the village via a more wooded path.

In the Val d'Azun, away from the shores of Lake Estaing the Barbat huts and Lake Barbat are perfect for a day out.