Esterre walks

The seventh stage of the trek sets off from Luz-Saint-Sauveur, taking us to Lac d’Aubert, situated in the heart of the Néouvielle Nature Reserve.

It was following Napoleon III's visit that this small town in the Pyrenees began to flourish. This route highlights the buildings that the Emperor was directly or indirectly responsible for. Firstly, there is the spa district of Saint-Sauveur, then the bridge that bears his name and spans the Gavarnie river, and finally the small Solférino chapel, a reminder of his victory over the Prussians.

Panoramic view of Luz-Saint-Sauveur, situated at the confluence of three valleys. From the site, which has been developed as a viewing point, you can see the whole of the Central Pyrenees.

On this route, there are five 11th- and 12th-century churches to see:- The 12th-century Church of Saint-Julien in Sazos.- The churches of Saint John the Baptist and Saint Nicholas in Esquièze-Sère: listed historic monuments from the 11th century. One is in the basilica style, whilst the other houses ancient chapels. Visits in July/August, 4pm–6pm.- The 12th-century Saint-Michel Church in Vizos.- The Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Saligos, dating from the 12th century.

An unmissable hike, visiting five villages that look like something out of a mountain ecology textbook. The men and women have tamed the slopes, working tenaciously to make a year-round living from livestock farming, which now boasts an appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) designation. It is thanks to this activity that we have these charming landscapes of high-altitude gardens, flower-filled meadows meticulously bordered by ash hedges, balcony paths and terraces on retaining walls.

A short, very easy walk which, by following the paths once used by the area’s former inhabitants, allows you to discover two magnificent little villages in the Toy region near Luz-Saint-Sauveur.

You will be captivated by this short route, which leads to a breathtaking panorama of the Estaubé and Gavarnie cirques, the Pic de Cestrède and the Ardiden and Pic du Midi massifs.

A long time ago, a group of young people spent a memorable week at the Bolou stopover lodge, between Luz-St-Sauveur and Barèges. Although the accommodation no longer exists, the building is still as it was when we found it during a beautiful walk under, in, and almost above the clouds. I invite you to follow us into one of the valleys that leads to the Néouvielle Massif.

A beautiful, little-known hike offering superb 360° views from Léviste to Pibeste via Luz, Bergons, Gavarnie and Viscos. The climb is steep but not difficult, and your thighs will feel the burn on the descent. There is a loop variant starting lower down (Saligos) and returning via Coueylas.

Nestled at 2,019 metres in the Ardiden Massif, above Luz-Saint-Sauveur, Lake Bastampe is a little glacial gem in the Luz Valley. Off the beaten track, it lies nestled in a rocky cirque where the Pic de Carlis is reflected in its shallow waters. Its charm? A wooded island of mountain pines, sitting in the centre like a picturesque detail from a postcard!To reach it, you’ll face a lovely climb, long and steep towards the end. But the effort is well worth it for the route itself, which is quite simply magnificent: woodland, stony grassy slopes, and sweeping views towards the jagged ridges of the Pic de Badet d’Aubiste (2,741 m), the Soum de Culaus (2,577 m), the Pic de Bastampe (2,783 m) and the Pic de Barbe de Bouc (2,964 m), the latter being the very embodiment of these jagged, tapered peaks!The effort pays off: by the water’s edge, we treat ourselves to photos, a picnic and a nap whilst walking round the lake.

In the Ardiden Massif, two high-altitude lakes, two peaks and you. There are places we don’t talk about too much, for fear they might change. The Cirque de Litouèse is one of them. Up there, at over 2,000 metres above Luz-Saint-Sauveur, time seems to have stood still: first, the Lac de Bastampe, so picturesque with its island in the middle and its calm waters… Then, after a discreet pass between large granite boulders, Lake Litouèse comes into view: 42 metres deep, with waters so crystal-clear that you feel you can see right to the bottom. In days gone by, black trout used to live there! Above, the rocky, sun-drenched cirque beckons: first the Pic de Litouèse (2,420 m), from where the reward is immense – Gavarnie, the Vignemale and the Pic du Midi lined up as if to greet you, then the Soum de Caubarole (2,386 m). At the lakeside, a well-maintained hut guarantees peace and quiet. It’s one of those circular walks, with unforgiving slopes that will test your legs and stay with you for a long time!

Follow old paths hidden under beech and hazel trees to discover three villages with a rich traditional architectural heritage.

This is a must-see hike for fishermen and mountain lake enthusiasts, offering a quiet, unspoilt spot that is rarely visited. Lake Maucapéra is nestled in a basin at the foot of the Maucapéra peak (2,589 m), Cumadiére peak (2,623 m) and Lettious peak (2,589 m).

A circular hike, much of which follows old shepherds' paths. A good sense of direction is necessary on the climb up the left bank of the stream. The GPX track can be very useful from (S/E) to (4). This circular can also be done in the opposite direction. Please close electric fences and cabin doors. Thank you.

This is a fairly uncrowded hike leading to magnificent lakes below the Pic d'Ardiden, crossing small mountain pastures and ending in a fairly rocky area.

Once past the Pierrefite Gorges, you enter the Pays Toy, and Chèze is one of the first villages you come across. Its mining heritage is still visible, and the proposed route gives you a sense of the harshness of the trade, both in terms of the difficulty of accessing the mines and the extraction work itself. The Camparnas site still bears many traces of this activity. A mid-altitude hike best undertaken when the cloud cover is low. See practical information.

This is an easy and relaxing summer walk, perfect for filling a few hours if, like us, you are passing through Barèges, or if you want to explore the village for the first time after settling there for a few days. It is also a good warm-up before setting off on one of the more challenging hikes offered by the resort in the Néouvielle Nature Reserve.

A very pleasant short hike between Barèges and Saint-Justin via Courratge. The route is not difficult and mostly through forest. The view from the Oratoire Saint-Justin is magnificent, both towards the Luz Saint-Sauveur valley and towards the Tourmalet. The route is well marked and shared with the GR®10 between Barèges and Saint-Justin.

A very beautiful hike, but one that requires good physical fitness, good weather and sure-footedness.On a very short section along the ridge, you’ll need to be extra careful. The climb to the peak is difficult.Those prone to vertigo or wearing unsuitable footwear should take a lower path towards the pass, starting at (4), and reach the foot of the final ascent to the Pic de Viscos.