From Port de Balès to Lac de Bordères via Mont Né

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A fantastic panoramic hike, winding its way between Haute-Garonne and the Hautes-Pyrénées, with the ascent of Mont Né and Lac de Bordères as the destination.

Details

n°51725689
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.94 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,657 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,660 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 7,037 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 5,709 ft
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Description of the walk

Park at Port de Balès.

(Start/End) From the car park, head towards the “Port de Balès” sign on the Haut-Garonne side, and, at the signposts, take the path heading north-west. The route leads to a track which you should take on the left. After five hairpin bends, leave the track at the end of the sixth.

(1) Head west onto the path leading up to Mont Né (signposted). Take care, as the signposting is rather patchy on this section. After some steep climbs, the gradient gradually eases off and you’ll come to a slight junction (unmarked).

(2) Head right to reach the ridge leading to Mont Né, heading south-west.

(3) Fantastic views from the summit: notably the Pic du Midi and Aneto. Carefully descend the fairly steep slope towards the Port de Pierrefite.

(4) Head south-west towards Lac de Bordères, following theGRP®® “Oueil-Larboust” trail. A few hundred metres after entering the Montious Nature Reserve, you’ll reach Lac de Bordères.

(5) Return to the Port de Pierrefite.

(4) Turn right onto the track on theGRP®® “Oueil-Larboust”.

(6) Pass the Mont Né refuge and continue along the track until you reach the D51d.

(7) Follow the road to the left to reach Port de Balès and, consequently, bring this wonderful walk to an end (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 5,764 ft - Car park at the - Port de Balès
  2. 1 : mi 0.84 - alt. 6,152 ft - Trail abandoned
  3. 2 : mi 1.31 - alt. 6,827 ft - Junction
  4. 3 : mi 1.51 - alt. 7,028 ft - Mont Né
  5. 4 : mi 2.19 - alt. 6,089 ft - Megalithic enclosure - Cromlech du Port de Pierrefite
  6. 5 : mi 3 - alt. 5,804 ft - Lac de Bordères
  7. 6 : mi 4.62 - alt. 6,050 ft - Refuge du Mont Né
  8. 7 : mi 5.79 - alt. 5,709 ft - D51d road
  9. S/E : mi 5.94 - alt. 5,761 ft - Port de Balès

Notes

Watch a video of the walk via the following link: https://youtu.be/46SifG2Lkc0

Make sure you arrive early at Port de Balès, as the car park gets very full during the day.

Worth a visit

For the more ambitious, there is the option to extend this circular route by taking the Pic du Lion route at point (4).

The villages of Bourg d’Oueil, below the Port de Balès on the Haut-Garonne side, and Mauléon Barousse on the Hautes-Pyrénées side.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 5 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
Algod
Algod

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent hike with some breathtaking panoramic views, whether at the summit of Mont Né or around Lake Bordère (where you’ll be tempted to take a dip, but it’s strictly forbidden, as it is at most of the lakes in the region).

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Baco13
Baco13

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A truly beautiful route with views of the Pic du Midi. The hardest part is at the start if you head straight up towards the summit. There are several possible routes, but you can’t go wrong. The lake is stunning.

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Kapten
Kapten

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The path is easy to follow and is signposted all the way.

We took a slight detour via the Crête de la Pale. This allows you to tackle the steep gradients by spreading the effort over a greater distance, whilst enjoying a long and very pleasant ridge walk.

Otherwise, the area is magnificent and presents no major difficulties. The only drawback is the high number of visitors. At the lake, several instances of inappropriate behaviour were observed, ranging from campers lighting fires to people swimming, and other conduct unsuitable for the location and in breach of the regulations in force.

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Yoganidra31!
Yoganidra31!

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely hike in open country with magnificent views of the Pyrenees – make sure you bring plenty of water.
Most of the ascent takes place during the first part of the walk up to Mont Né. The hard work is rewarded by a 360-degree view on arrival. The descent to the lake is surrounded by superb vegetation leading down to the dark waters of the lake. A very pleasant picnic despite the many walkers present. The return from the lake follows the same path, then you begin the gentle descent on the second part of the circular route.
Before reaching the end, there is the option of taking a small path opposite to avoid the road.
Hike completed in 3½ hours.

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Jean Pech
Jean Pech
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk.
Promising views, but on that day the sky was overcast => the peaks were hidden (unfortunately).
Please note that:
- The climb up Mont Né is steep in places.
- The entire hike is in open terrain (beware of the sun in summer).
- Only water source: 100 m before reaching the refuge (or treated lake water).
- Toilets at the refuge.
- Two short tricky sections in wet weather (not recommended for those with poor balance).
- It gets very busy (set off early).
- A flock of sheep is present in season.
- A bar/restaurant/souvenir shop is open at the pass from June to mid-September: well worth a visit!

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Other walks in the area

Walking Mont Né, Lac de Bordères and Pic du Lion from Port de Balès

Visorando Member
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