Asson walks

An excellent way to climb the Merdanson whilst remaining almost entirely under tree cover, which is very pleasant in summer. No technical difficulties during the summer months. There is also the option of climbing the Pic de Pas de Broc. => Map and GPX track are very useful.

On the forgotten trails of Saint-Pé-de-Bigorre No. 5A long journey from the Ouzom Valley, through Les Aoules, to the Génies Valley, in the unfathomable Saint-Pé massif.In all seasons, the landscapes and forests are impressive and majestic.Its main attraction lies in the beauty of the two valleys crossed from end to end: the Yerse and the Aguée, sites of ancestral pastoralism where shepherds and their flocks lived from June to October. There are still many traces of this to be found.

A pleasant walk through the woodland along the banks of the Gave de Pau, passing through Rieulhès, a typical Pyrenean hamlet. You’ll enjoy several remarkable views of the village of Saint-Pé-de-Bigorre.

Circular route in the foothills of the Béarn Pyrenees. Beautiful views over the plains of Bruges Nay and, further afield, towards Pau. If Ossau is not visible, Durban, Montdragon and Moulle de Jaut beckon, as if inviting us to climb them soon. This hike can be completed as a round trip in 5½ to 6½ hours, including stops.

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.

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!

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 few kilometres from the centre of Saint-Pé, a small pebble beach is the perfect spot for a refreshing dip in summer and a peaceful picnic break. The knitting rabbit is hiding in the tall grass on the neighbouring property!

A must-visit spot for the locals of Saint-Pé and their friends, the peaks of Le Mousqué and La Tourette offer a change of scenery and magnificent panoramic views of the surroundings of Saint-Pé-de-Bigorre.Ideal at sunset in summer.

Starting from the Place des Arcades in Saint-Pé-de-Bigorre, enjoy a pleasant, peaceful walk to reach one of the hills sheltering the village, the “Montagnou de la Lit”, to the east. From up there, you can easily reach the entrance to the Grotte de la Résistance and, for the more adventurous, that of the Tute Faiouias.Magnificent views over the Gave de Pau valley and the ridges of the neighbouring peaks of the Saint-Pé massif.Return via the “Montagnou”, another hill above the village.

A short walk in the hills above Saint-Pé-de-Bigorre offering breathtaking views of the village and its exceptional heritage: its 11th-century church, the former seminary and Catholic school, and the remarkable streets and houses dating from the 15th to the 18th centuries.There are also beautiful views of the mountain range to the south, including the Très-Croutz forest and the ridge of the Cirque de Bat dé Haü, stretching from the Toupiettes in the west to the Aülhet in the east.

A walk above the Nay plain, with panoramic views of the Pyrenees and the Piedmont!! Bring a picnic and enjoy the fresh air!!!

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).

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).

A lovely, challenging and demanding route through the Très-Croutz forest, passing along the bed of the La Génie Braque torrent.The circular route returns via the Aülhet ridge (and its hut, open all year round) after passing through the mountain pastures of the Bat de Haü cirque, clearly visible from the Gave de Pau valley and Saint-Pé-de-Bigorre.

Visiting the gaping maw of the impressive Gouffre de Paybou, lost deep within the steep forest, is just one of the reasons to undertake this splendid hike in the heart of the Très-Croutz Forest, in the Saint-Pé Massif.Here, we follow in the footsteps of Abbé Bernard Abadie, who brought fame not only to this chasm – which he ‘invented’ – but also to the remarkable and eerie site of Calihourc, where he posed for posterity, pipe in hand, beret firmly perched on his head and a mischievous look in his eyes… Warning!This walk takes place in the heart of the wilderness in a rather challenging environment: steep slopes, rocky outcrops, cliffs, thorny undergrowth, and at times a complete lack of signposting, or even a lack of a proper path… This is why it is reserved for experienced, fit walkers with a good sense of direction. A GPS device may also prove very useful.

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!

A hilly route through the woods along the Chemin Henri IV. The second part is mainly on a gravel track. There is little tarmac.

Discover a section of the Pyrenean foothills that has remained largely unspoilt: no forest tracks penetrate these vast wooded expanses. Explore unspoilt wilderness along an old path leading up to the mountain pastures and a former charcoal burners’ trail. Discover the vast beech forests of Tres Crouts and the Aoulhet mountain pastures, undoubtedly the most picturesque and wildest spots in the Pibeste-Aoulhet Regional Nature Reserve.

On the forgotten trails of Saint-Pé-de-Bigorre No. 3 A challenging and demanding circular route above Serre Pourcou, across the mountainous plateaus and summer pastures of the Pyrenean foothills, and through the vast and impenetrable forest of Très Croutz, or the state-owned forest of Saint-Pé-de-Bigorre. The diversity of the landscapes encountered never fails to impress the hiker...

First, discover the site itself, the Sanctuary of Notre-Dame de Piétat, built in 1661 by the inhabitants of the farming community of Pardies. The region is rich in history! Next, enjoy the splendid view of the Nay valley to the south-east of Pau, and another beautiful panorama of the Pyrenees from the sanctuary's orientation table. Finally, you can have fun discovering the fountains and other springs hidden in the woods and hills of the site....

On the forgotten paths of Saint-Pé-de-Bigorre No. 4 A beautiful view from the Pic de Miquéu (1,452 m) over the Saint-Pé Massif and the summer pastures, stretching as far as the peaks of the border range. The route takes in several ancient paths not marked on maps, which adds to its appeal. On the way back, you’ll discover the remarkable site of Calihourc, with its sharp limestone pavement shaped like confessionals, celebrated and photographed by Abbé Abadie in his book *Le Sanglier du Picharrot*.

The Picharrots waterfall is a classic spot for lovers of the Saint-Pé Massif who aren’t afraid to tackle the challenges of navigating the Integral Biological Reserve, which is deliberately left completely untouched by human intervention. This route offers an alternative, allowing you to take the Sentier des Gardes on the way there – a trail somewhat forgotten within the massif, but a truly epic one. The final section of the route, between the Bédeille ravine and the waterfall, is more challenging and at times more exposed. Return via the Génie Longue.

The Très Crouts Forest holds many curiosities. Here is an unusual one, as it is very rare in this area: a very active resurgent cave. At Aygo Blanco, the torrent gushes from the mountain at 650m and plunges 120m down through a series of small waterfalls, where the river spreads out its white angel’s hair… An enchanting walk to discover this hidden gem! Most of the route follows a path in reasonable condition, although it is old and unmarked. The final 100 metres are quite rugged.

A beautiful, physically demanding day’s hike with several exposed sections along the ridges, taking you to the heights of the Saint-Pé-de-Bigorre massif, first to the east and then north-east, above the Génie Longue torrent. Final stop at the Refuge du Col du Prat d’Aürelh (du Rey) and its summer pastures. Magnificent scenery! Solitude guaranteed!

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, 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).

Le Pladi is a mountain pass featuring a small, peaceful clearing. This route, along the Picoulets ridge, offers panoramic views over the Sauguet pastures and the Tres Crouts forest. You can extend the walk by heading to Prat dou Rey in the Batsurguère valley, or head back down the same way.

This short family walk takes you to a charming little cave that’s very easy to reach. Over the millennia, it has been home to all sorts of creatures, as well as humans. All have left traces, few of which are visible to the naked eye, apart from the bear droppings and the markings from palaeontological excavations.What remains is the cave’s impressive size – surprising and rare in the region – and its location in the ever-mysterious Très-Croutz Forest.