From the Croix de Buzy to Bescat

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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.

Details

n°3738185
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.39 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 155 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 155 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 525 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 386 m
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Photos

Bescat wash house
Bescat
Bescat
The Ossau Valley

Description of the walk

Park near the Croix de Buzy.

(S/E) Take Chemin d'Ossau. Pass in front of the restaurant L'Étable d'Ossau.

(1) At the fork (elevation 461), continue in the same direction on the carriage road (do not turn right). This road becomes Chemin de Lasserre, heading south-east then south. Pass all the turnings on the right and left and you will reach a picnic area.

(2) Stay on Chemin Lasserre, turning right. Pass the hamlet of Pillard and descend towards the village of Bescat on the tarmac road. Pass an access road to houses on your right and turn right at the next intersection. At the crossroads, turn right to Saint-Lizier Church.

(3) Turn left onto Chemin de Pouey to enjoy a magnificent view of the lower Ossau valley. Walk past the cemetery and turn right.

(4) At the T-junction, turn left onto Chemin Herrelore. Stay on this main road, ignoring all access roads on the right or left.

(1) At the fork you took on the way there, turn left onto Chemin d'Ossau and head for Croix de Buzy (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 454 m - Car park at Croix de Buzy
  2. 1 : km 1.02 - alt. 461 m - Crossroads of the circular
  3. 2 : km 3.78 - alt. 507 m - Picnic area
  4. 3 : km 5.13 - alt. 474 m - Église Saint-Lizier (Bescat)
  5. 4 : km 5.46 - alt. 478 m - Chemin Herrelore
  6. S/E : km 9.39 - alt. 454 m - Car park at Croix de Buzy

Notes

A landscape characteristic of a valley carved out two million years ago by the Ossaeux glacier.

You can take a break on the esplanade in front of the church, which offers a magnificent view of the Pic du Midi d'Ossau.

There are three picnic areas:
(S/E) At the start, at the Croix de Buzy.
On the Chemin de Lasserre, when you reach the tarmac road.
At the Saint-Lizier Church.

Toilets and playground:
At Saint-Lizier Church.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 10 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
4.1 / 5
User 25803779

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant and easy walk. Part of the path is gravel, then earth/pebbles, then tarmac.
The view is beautiful, and the walk is popular without being overcrowded.
The signs at the church are not very clear. Do not continue past picnic area number 2 (the one with the children's playground) but turn back towards the cemetery. You basically walk around the church.

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didier3158
didier3158

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant walk but too much tarmac.

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ISAP
ISAP

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk, unfortunately the clouds were too thick to enjoy the beautiful view of the Pyrenees! One downside was the lack of signposting after Bescat church and the cemetery to rejoin the circular on the way back. Simple signposting is needed!

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OCamp
OCamp

Overall rating : 2 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

The description and the Visorando map are quite clear, but there are no place names on the ground, especially at junctions. As a result, we took the wrong path and had to turn back...

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MGSN85
MGSN85

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb hike facing the Pyrenees with the Pic du Midi d'Ossau in view during the first half of the hike.

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Emeline et Paco
Emeline et Paco

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant hike with interesting mountain views. Lots of roads, but very little traffic.

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fabrice_tlsm
fabrice_tlsm
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 13, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

I recommend a short detour at 2. At the picnic tables, take the GR trail up the hill and head towards Bescat. It's only slightly longer.

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Titou70
Titou70

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 07, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent scenery on the way there, a bit too much traffic on the way back
A very pleasant inn at the start of the route

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Citron10
Citron10

Indeed, this little detour can allow you to enjoy an interesting view.

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Lou Poeyou
Lou Poeyou

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 02, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I recommend a short detour at Bescat church: turn left just after the church and you will arrive near the cemetery. There is a magnificent view of the lower Ossau valley with benches, a picnic table, toilets and a playground. Turn left to rejoin the route.

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Gerard.REYNAUD
Gerard.REYNAUD

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 19, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice route, a bit too much road, which is a shame, but there are few trails in the area!

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