Asson walks

Loop in the foothills of the Béarn Pyrenees. Beautiful view of the Bruges Nay plains and, further away, towards Pau. Although Ossau is not visible, Durban, Montdragon and Moulle de Jaut beckon, inviting us to climb them soon.

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 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.

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).

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.

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....

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).

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.

An easy, rural circular from Sainte-Colome in the Ossau Valley, alternating between beautiful woodland paths and farm tracks, offering a wonderful introduction to the Béarn foothills and the pretty village of Sainte Colome. Marked with PR®, then VTT and then GR®78.

This is a fairly easy hike that leads to a very large summer pasture area. There is plenty of water in this area. It is suitable for families, with a simple return trip to the hut. This hike can be done on snowshoes. The entire circular hike requires a minimum sense of direction. The GPX track may be useful.

Montagne du Rey, whose highest point is Soum de las Picarras (1,349 m), is the first peak in the Ossau valley and offers a superb 360° panoramic view from the Pau plain to the Pic du Midi d'Ossau.

A fairly short but steep hike in places, well marked, with superb views of the foothills, the towns of Pau, Tarbes, Oloron, and also the peaks: Pic du Midi d'Ossau, Pic de Ger, etc.

This is a family hike in the Ossau Valley, south of the city of Pau, between the villages of Bescat and Sévignacq-Meyracq. Mainly through the woods, it leads to the Tos de la Courade (tos = watering hole) and then joins theGR®78via a well-maintained path, before returning to the starting point. It overlooks the Ossau Valley to the south and, in the second part of the walk, the plain of Pau.

On the way there, exceptional views of the Ossau Valley and the Pyrenees mountain range. On the way back, you will pass through the small village of Bescat. The walk is then more shaded.

Easy country hike around Nousty, starting from the village centre with its beautiful buildings and wash house. On this very rural route, the Houn de Moussu is a local curiosity, a fountain providing water that is very good for your health, according to the elders. Legend has it that Henri IV drank from it when travelling from Pau to Coarraze. There is a viewpoint shortly after the 419-metre altitude on the Chemin Henri IV. The return through the fields, crossing fords, adds extra charm to the outing.

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.

A beautiful route on the hillsides of Rontignon, a few kilometres from Pau. Several beautiful views of the ridges and the Pyrenees.

A somewhat long walk, but not difficult, with good yellow PR® Route de la Vallée d'Arudy signposting, which occasionally overlaps with a GR®. Beautiful views of the Ger massif and perhaps towards Ossau. Several interesting churches along the way.

A circular route around the lower part of the village of Soumoulou via Gomer, where you can discover part of Henri IV's trail, the GR® 782, in the hills. The village's central square offers easy parking.

An accessible and varied circular route on the balcony of the Pyrenees. Starting and ending in the centre of Soumoulou, this hike is appealing for its practicality: spacious car park, easy start and a circular route that avoids any complex logistics. The route alternates between quiet roads, country lanes and PR® footpaths, offering a gentle immersion in the contrasting landscapes of the Pyrenees and the Béarn plains.

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.

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.

A circular loop of almost 25 kilometres taking you along the banks of the Gave, past the whitewater stadium, Franqueville Castle and part of the Henri IV path linking Pau to Lourdes. You will then return via Assat and the left bank of the Gave back to your starting point.

A lovely walk along roads and tracks, including a visit to the Piétat Sanctuary and a return route via the ridges of the Baliros and Narcastet hills, back to the starting point in Mazères.

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...

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).

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.

Two options: either a 2-hour family walk, the Fontaine d'Estéret route (a circular PR® route marked in yellow), or a longer route including the ascent across the Pla Dou Soum (1,391m) with a beautiful view of the Massif de Ger.

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!

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

A shaded walk on the hillsides of Jurançon to discover beautiful forests and estates.

You walk along old stony paths, unfortunately including a track. There is a beautiful view of the Ger massif and the Pic du Midi d’Ossau, and you eventually come to numerous barns, many in ruins but a few well-maintained.