Circular loop of Néouvielle via Soum de Monpelat

Park at the Artigusse car park (paid parking during the summer season).

(S/E) Cross the footbridge over the Neste de Couplan and descend the path to the track.

(1) Then follow the track uphill towards the Lac de l'Oule dam (1,820 m).

(2) At the fork, turn left towards the dam and continue to it.

(3) Continue along the path on the left, following the western shore of Lac de l'Oule for 600 m.

(4) Take a path that climbs to the left to Col d'Estoudou, marked in red and white (GR®10).

(5) Once you reach Col d'Estoudou (2,260 m), take another path on the right to reach Soum de Monpelat and admire the superb panorama.

(6) Descend to return to Col d'Estoudou.

(5) Take the path on the right.

(7) At the fork with a sign, take the path on the left to descend to Lac d'Orédon.

(8) When you reach the Lac d'Orédon car park, turn right to cross it, then take the path that runs alongside the lake.

(9) At the fork, continue along the main path that climbs to the right through the pine trees and runs alongside the Route des Lacs.

(10) Continue along the path heading west (left) towards Les Laquettes and walk along the northern shore of these two small lakes. Reach the bivouac reserve area downstream from Lac d'Aubert.

(11) Walk along the dyke, then climb slightly up the path on the right to reach the last shuttle car park. Take the path on the left.

(12) Continue along the path, then turn right to reach the shores of Lac d'Aumar.

(13) Go around the lake to the left, following its entire circumference. The path is less accessible but passable, and this route offers a different view that is well worth seeing.

(14) At the end of the lake, on the south side, turn left and climb up to the Col d'Aumar: beautiful view of the Pic du Néouvielle with its two mirrors, Aumar and Aubert.

(15) Continue north towards Lac Supérieur.

(16) Climb up following the cairns and cross over to the opposite valley. Descend eastwards along the edge of scree slopes and grassy areas to the charming Lac de Gourguet (2,218 m).

(17) From the weir, follow the torrent to Laquet de Coste Oueillère (2100 m) at the base of the Port Bielh slope basin.

(18) Then descend the path that follows the bottom of the valley, between forest and clearings, to reach the northern tip of Lac de l'Oule (bis) near the Cabane de Lude.

(19) Continue along the track on the eastern side of the lake to reach the Refuge de l'Oule.

(20) Then turn right onto the path that descends, passes at the foot of the dam, then turns sharply south and rejoins the ascent route.

(2) Continue straight ahead, following the route in the opposite direction to the outward journey, until you reach the car park (S/E).

The hike can be very difficult to complete in a single day due to its length (28.30 km) and total elevation gain of 1,590 m. Allow for more than 12 hours of walking, depending on breaks, and a little less if you are an experienced hiker.

The Néouvielle Nature Reserve prohibits wild camping in protected areas. If you are hiking over two days, plan to camp in the reserved area downstream from the Lac d'Aubert dam (11), the only authorised camping site in the reserve. However, you may be close to other hikers. Outside the Néouvielle Nature Reserve, allow at least 1 hour's walk after a refuge; find out about the boundaries of this area.

Check access to the Artigusse car park, as the pass is closed in winter.

Alternative: you can shorten the route by cancelling the return trip to Soum de Monpelat (6). Continue to the fork (7) and instead of descending to Lac d'Orédon, follow the GR®10 trail that runs along the mountainside to reach Lac d'Aumar near (14).