In the Lourdios Valley at Issor

Starting from the charming village of Issor, this walk, which runs partly through woodland, is ideal on hot days. After leaving the village, the path enters a wood, then crosses streams. In summer, the play of shadows and the coolness of the surroundings are particularly pleasant.
In days gone by, the villagers used this path to transport boxwood from the neighbouring Bisarce mountain on the backs of mules. This hardwood was used to make a wide range of everyday objects.

Details

3114694
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.20 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 259 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 262 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,142 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 968 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Yellow markings.

(S/E) From the Town Hall Square, cross the D918 and head down the road towards the Auberge des Trois Baudets. At the bend, turn left to cross the bridge over the Gave de Lourdios

Continue to the houses, veer right then immediately left for about a hundred metres, taking the narrow lane that quickly cuts through the meadows. Follow this lovely grassy path lined with hazel trees and then majestic chestnut trees until you reach a wooden footbridge over a stream.

(2) Cross this wooden footbridge, begin a short climb towards a barn and then a large meadow. Continue beneath the high trees of various species, which, a little further on, give way to magnificent box trees in the undergrowth. Take a steep path up to a minor road.

(3) Turn left and continue along this small, downhill road which passes through Mauregard and leads to a bridge on the right.
Carry on straight ahead, ignoring this bridge, and walk on, keeping the Gave de Lourdios on your right at all times. Look out for a path on the right.

(4) Take this path, pass the sewage treatment plant and continue along the small road which leads to the picnic area near the bridge

(1) Turn right and follow the route back to the Town Hall square (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,083 ft - Town Hall Square
  2. 1 : mi 0.17 - alt. 1,004 ft - Junction of the circular loop
  3. 2 : mi 0.58 - alt. 1,043 ft - Footbridge
  4. 3 : mi 0.97 - alt. 1,037 ft - Road junction
  5. 4 : mi 1.82 - alt. 994 ft - Path on the right
  6. S/E : mi 2.2 - alt. 1,083 ft - Town Hall Square

Notes

Dogs must be kept on a lead.
Picnic area near the bridge.
Route inspired by the Vallée de Barétous brochure ‘30 walks in Béarn’.

Worth a visit

The pretty little village of Issor.
Peaceful countryside and the banks of the Gave de Lourdios.

The Church of Saint John the Evangelist, rebuilt in 1687. The bell tower was built in 1924.
It is inside that the church at Issor reveals its treasures. Its 17th-century gilded wooden altarpiece is remarkable. In the Baroque style, it depicts the coronation of Saint John the Evangelist. At the back, two oak balustrades date from the 18th century.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 3 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
jacquito
jacquito

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A short circular route through woods and fields. A lovely way to get some fresh air on a warm afternoon.

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FLOCH
FLOCH ★

Good evening, and thank you for this review.
I did this walk during a holiday in Arrette in 2012.
I wasn’t aware of this alternative route.
Thank you for suggesting it so that I can include it in the route description.
Visorando continues to grow thanks to contributions from walkers.

Kind regards

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JuliadAspe
JuliadAspe

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello!
There’s a little detour that takes you off the tarmac for a bit!
In the last quarter of the route, instead of continuing along the road, there’s a little grassy path on the right that continues to run alongside the stream (the road carries on straight ahead).
Take this little path (so you’re still following the stream) and follow it until you reach the picnic area next to the bridge.
The path is clearly marked on the map.
There’s also space to park your car, which saves you having to walk the stretch of road between the town hall car park and the start of the footpath.

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Gerard.REYNAUD
Gerard.REYNAUD

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely little, easy walk that we chose because of the storm that was raging that day!
As it was relatively sheltered, this reduced the risk of falling trees, which were a common occurrence in the area.

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