Grand Tour of the Pic du Midi d'Ossau

Why Grand Tour? Because it's a must-see passage through the Ayous Refuge in a setting that is, how can I put it? Sublime...

⚠️ 23/09/2025: The Magnabaigt trail (section of the Tour du Midi d'Ossau) will be closed from 1 September 2025 until further notice from (13) to (S/E) for forestry work. Hike not possible at this time.

Details

n°2082

Creation:
01 Jan 2012

Last update:
23 Sep 2025

Last review:
08 Sep 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 21.11 km
Duration according to the author: More than 12 hrs
Difficulty: Very difficult
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 1,480 m
Descent: - 1,472 m
Highest point: 2,311 m
Lowest point: 1,414 m

Country: France
Areas: Pyrenees, Vallée d'Ossau‎
District: Laruns (64440)
Start/End: N 42.868707° / W 0.448263°
IGN map(s): Ref. 1547OT, 1547OTR, 1647OT, 1647OTR
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Description of the walk

This hike is described in three stages but can be done in a single day. In this case, it is classified as Very Difficult.

stage¹: Lac de Bouys-Artigues / Refuge d'Ayous

(S/E) From the car park, pass in front of the Refuge de Bious-Artigues and take the wide path. Cross the Gave de Bious on a bridge.

(1). Further on, instead of crossing the river again, take the path that climbs to the right into the forest (marked^GR®®10). The path climbs steeply to reach a clearing. Stay on the^GR®®10to reach the Ayous lakes, first Lac Roumassot, then Lac du Miey and finally Lac Gentau, after a steep climb.

(2) Leave the^GR®®10(which heads towards Col d'Ayous) and turn left towards the Ayous Refuge.

stage²: Ayous Refuge / Pombie Refuge

(3) Take the path that climbs south towards Pic de Larry.

(4) Pass by the foot of Lac Bersau, below Pic Hourquette (on the right), then between Pics de Bielle and Casterau.

(5) Turn left to walk along Lac Casterau, below the peak of the same name on your left.

(6) Leave the Cabanes de la Hosse on your right, cross the Gave de Bious and climb towards the Cabane de Cap de Pount. Further on, you will arrive at the Peyreget hut.

(7) At the fork, turn right towards the Col de Peyreget.

(8) At Lac de Peyreget, turn left and cross an area of scree to reach Col de Peyreget.

: :9:: Descend towards the Pombie refuge, near the lake of the same name.

stage³: Pombie Refuge / Lac de Bouys-Artigues

(10) Climb the path behind the Refuge de Pombie towards Col de Suzon on the eastern slope of Pic du Midi d'Ossau.

(11) At the pass, take the path that descends towards the bottom of the valley.

(12) Further on, leave the path to the Cabane de Magnabaigt on your right. The trail crosses a wood before reaching the edge. Arrive at the Col Long de Magnabaigt.

(13) The path descends into the Bious-Artigues woods and leads to the Lac de Bious Artigues car park (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,415 m - Refuge - Lac Bious Artigues
1 : km 2.01 - alt. 1,544 m - Gave de Bious footbridge
2 : km 5.1 - alt. 1,955 m - GR10 junction - Ayous refuge - Lacs d'Ayous
3 : km 5.55 - alt. 1,968 m - Refuge d'Ayous (1980m)
4 : km 6.76 - alt. 2,084 m - Lac Bersau
5 : km 7.55 - alt. 2,015 m - Fork in the road
6 : km 9.32 - alt. 1,718 m - Hosse huts
7 : km 9.93 - alt. 1,638 m - Cap de Pount hut crossroads
8 : km 12.39 - alt. 2,090 m - Lac de Peyreget
9 : km 13.85 - alt. 2,177 m - Col Peyreget
10 : km 14.68 - alt. 2,031 m - Refuge de Pombie
11 : km 16.4 - alt. 2,128 m - Col de Suzon
12 : km 17.54 - alt. 1,936 m - Magnabaigt Hut crossroads
13 : km 19.68 - alt. 1,657 m - Long de Magnabaigt Pass
S/E : km 21.11 - alt. 1,415 m - Lac Bious Artigues

Notes

The first and last stages are fairly short (half a day), while the second is rather long.
Bivouacking is possible near the refuges.

Variant 1: it is possible to shorten the route by avoiding the circular loop via the Ayous refuge (but it's a shame): when you reach the bridge over the Gave de Bious, instead of turning left, continue on the 4x4 track across the bridge, then turn left onto the path that climbs up to the Peyreget hut.
Variant 2: to avoid the Col de Peyreget and the scree slope at Lac de Peyreget, turn left and go around the Pic de Peyreget via the Col de l'Iou and the Col de Soum de Pombie.

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

Coeur du Parc national des Pyrénées - more information

Worth a visit

At the Col de Suzon: access to the Pic du Midi d'Ossau (avoid if prone to vertigo and 2 tricky passages, rope up).
From the Ayous refuge: reach the Col d'Ayous and the Pic d'Ayous for the panorama.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5

Based on 48 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5

Route interest
4.9 / 5

User 17617934

08 Sep 2025 at 20:34 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The hike is very long, but if you break it up into three sections and stay overnight in the two refuges (Ayous and Pombie), it becomes much easier and more enjoyable. This allows you to take your time and really enjoy the absolutely magnificent surroundings. If you want to avoid the Peyreget scree, you can take a detour via the Suzon Pass. It's longer but much easier... In the morning, at sunrise, there is a real ballet of izards in the Pombie moraine... A real treat...

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User 12138366

08 Sep 2025 at 11:07 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Nice walk but too crowded at the weekend

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coumenges gilbert

12 Aug 2025 at 09:39 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

this 23 km circuit, which returns via the Ayous lakes, is as spectacular as ever, but it has fallen victim to its own success and is now used by crowds of people with varying levels of fitness, with all the associated inconveniences. Even the paid parking does little to curb the crowds

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COSTE BRUNO

01 Jul 2025 at 08:14 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Very pleasant hiking area with numerous lakes along the route. However, we had to leave the main paths because it was very crowded, even on Friday. We slept in a tent at the second refuge. The mountains are beautiful. I will be back...

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alltrax

24 Jun 2025 at 17:53 7200 • Edited: 25 Jun 2025 at 10:11 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed over two days on 21/22 June 2025.
According to Strava, 28 km with 1,650 m of elevation gain (starting from the lower car park plus access to Lake Paradis, which adds a little distance to the initial route).
Day 1: climb to the Ayous lakes to camp by Lake Paradis. Alone in the world at the end of June, magical.
Day 2: descent to the Gave de Bious and the serious stuff begins with the long climb to the Col de Peyreget.
Long and steep, but so beautiful! Lots of animals roaming free, friendly marmots, chamois dancing on the snowfields.
The scree slope may seem difficult at first, but it is very well marked and ultimately not at all unpleasant to climb.
Once over the pass, we descend towards the Pombie refuge and begin the traverse that leads to the Col de Suzon, for the long descent back to the starting point.

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boris07370

10 Sep 2024 at 05:18 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

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Olivier PB

23 Aug 2024 at 08:15 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

although the route description is sufficient to fully enjoy the magnificent Pyrenean landscapes, the hike remains challenging, especially as two points are somewhat unclear, even misleading, along the route
difficult, especially as two points are somewhat unclear or even misleading along the route:
- the passage after Cap de Bount is relatively poorly marked and the path to follow is not easy to find, but above all, it is important to warn hikers that the climb is very difficult, not technically but physically, with a gradient of over 20% for at least 3 km
- . Although the scree below Ossau is very well marked, this is not the case for the scree after the Pombie refuge towards the Col de Suzon. It should be marked as it is at least as difficult as the one at Ossau after several hours of walking
this is just to complete a very good description and a walk that is well worth the effort of finding the route. I recommend it, but only for experienced walkers if done in one go
PS: beware of fog, even in July and in the middle of the day...

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aadore

22 Jul 2024 at 10:32 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed on 20 July, but cut short due to forecast thunderstorms. At the Peyreget huts (landmark 7), I did not continue the ascent and returned to Lake Bious-Artigues following the GR and the pastoral trail. The landscapes are magnificent, the valleys are incredible and the succession of lakes makes the time fly by. There is a steep climb at the start but no major difficulties to speak of. I will definitely be back to do the full tour with a bivouac stopover.

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Clethys

27 Jun 2024 at 10:22 7200 • Edited: 27 Jun 2024 at 10:22 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A challenging two-day hike with some impressive elevation gains, magnificent landscapes and lots of wildlife.
On the first day, a 6-hour walk to reach Lake Peyreget (a splendid spot with breathtaking views of the Pic du Midi summit)
Then on the second day, a 4-hour walk to return to the starting point.
This is the ideal season for this hike. There is snow on the ground but no special equipment is required. The trail is sometimes poorly marked, so a map is essential.

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Team panda

07 Aug 2023 at 09:10 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Arrived at the car park at 8 a.m. For information, there are two car parks: one at the bottom for €3 with an additional 20-minute walk to the start of the trail, or one at the top for €6 (return time limited).
An exceptional hike with varied landscapes and animals roaming free 🐂🐎🐏🐑. Doable in a day with excellent physical condition. Breathtaking panoramic views.
Very popular trail with shelters and drinking water points along the way.

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aleksander1336

30 Apr 2023 at 20:28 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A challenging hike with some nice elevation changes, but you have to keep your footing because there is quite a bit of snow.

Once at the top of the Col de Peyreget, you can easily slide down to the refuge on your own, like sledging.

The refuge is a bit dirty and full (some people camped outside in tents to free up four places) for this time of year, which is still snowy.

An ideal refuge far away from all the cheaters...

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carameldu29

25 Nov 2022 at 14:49 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 04, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike with no particular difficulty if done over two days. No one camps at Lac de Peyreget at this time of year.
Superb scenery

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narcore

28 Oct 2022 at 22:49 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 25, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

a superb hike that I did in the opposite direction
not many people at this time of year except for the Lac Bious-Ayous section, which was packed

the signposting is very limited for beginners, so make sure you have a GPS tracker

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FCupcic

10 Oct 2022 at 11:48 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 07, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed in 6.5 hours including breaks. In practice, this hike does not deserve the "very difficult" rating given in the Visorando guide, especially since the "Grand Tour du Pic du Midi d'Ossau", which is longer and has more elevation gain, is only rated "difficult" by Visorando (not very consistent).
In reality, neither of these two hikes presents any particular difficulty.
Best regards.

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Dums

29 Aug 2022 at 14:08 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 29, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A challenging, physically demanding hike, but so beautiful. It's a feast for the eyes

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