Saoubiste Hut circular loop

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A very attractive circular path on paper but a little challenging in practice, between the two huts: 560 m of elevation gain, a fairly steep climb through the forest, followed by a traverse in the sun, before descending back into the forest to rejoin the wide path along the Brousset to the car park.

Details

n°100396892
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.28 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,755 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,755 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 5,876 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4,121 ft
Downloads
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Photos

Arrégatiou hut
The Saoubiste hut
Saoubiste hut

Description of the walk

(S/E) Leave the Pont de Camps car park, above Lac de Fabrèges in the upper Ossau valley. Take the small road on the right just below the bridge, and 80 metres after the hairpin bend, look out for the marked path on the left.

(1) Follow it up through a shady woodland, winding south-westwards, but with a steep gradient. As you emerge from the forest, the chamois await you in a wide-open landscape.

(2) The path continues to the left, along the edge of the forest, until you catch sight of the Cabane Saoubiste, occupied by a shepherd during the summer (cheese on sale at the hut).

(3) Head back north-east, slightly to the right of the access path, to follow the contour line heading towards the forest. The path is barely marked. It turns at a 90° angle towards the south-east and follows the forest edge as it descends towards the south. Follow the GPX track: there are few markings on the ground. The path crosses a first scree slope (Arrec de Gréchat), then a second (Ravin de Pombie: don’t be put off by the word ‘ravine’!)

(4) Carry on, then turn right, heading south-west towards the Cabane d’Arrégatiou, further down. A lovely little hut in stunning natural surroundings, with a lounge and duplex bedrooms!

(5) From the hut, take a path heading south-west which very quickly leads into the forest and rejoins the very wide track descending from the Refuge de Pombie. Please note: this wide track is intended for livestock heading up to the summer pastures!

(6) Take a small path to the left, following a small yellow arrow, to rejoin the trail. Otherwise, you’ll have to walk an extra 3 km of uninteresting terrain. You’ll come out onto the plain and the GR®108.

(7) Facing the Gave de Brousset, turn left heading due north along the GR®108, which leads back to Pont de Camps (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 4,121 ft - Pont de Camps car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.2 - alt. 4,199 ft - Start of the trail
  3. 2 : mi 1.13 - alt. 5,371 ft - Exit from the forest
  4. 3 : mi 1.53 - alt. 5,843 ft - Saoubiste Hut - Pic de Chérue
  5. 4 : mi 2.45 - alt. 5,584 ft - Pombie Ravine
  6. 5 : mi 2.86 - alt. 5,489 ft - Arrégatiou Hut
  7. 6 : mi 3.18 - alt. 5,364 ft - Junction
  8. 7 : mi 4.31 - alt. 4,423 ft - GR® 108 - Cabane de Caillou de Soques (1400 m)
  9. S/E : mi 6.28 - alt. 4,121 ft - Pont de Camps car park

Notes

Car park near the Pont de Camps restaurant, or just past it on the right (shaded). Toilets, drinks, meals.

Please note: no signposting, and the path between the two huts is very steep and poorly marked.

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Downloads
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Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

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