Hèches walks

The route is no longer marked or maintained!!!Between May and October: tall, dense ferns between points 4 and 6 make the route very difficult. A summary of what the valley entrance has to offer: breathtaking 360° views, highlighting the incredible alignment of the valley. Discover steep paths, fords, shaded areas, mossy areas, ridges, meadows, forests and scrubby moorland, ending with a passage along a turbulent stream with multiple waterfalls.

the route is no longer marked or maintained!between points 4 and 5, there may be sections of around 20 metres of tall grass between June and September, but it remains passable all year round. The path may be muddy 100 metres before point 5. The circular is accessible on foot or by bike. You will discover Rebouc, Hèches and Héchettes, villages that have remained almost unchanged since 1820-1860, as evidenced by the inscriptions carved in marble on the doors. This route will also allow you to discover the winding and sometimes steep paths that connected each of these villages. Between villages, forests and meadows, the walk will be bucolic!

Starting from the village of Lortet, you will first cross the Neste river and, after a steep climb through the forest, you will be rewarded with beautiful landscapes.

Climb up to this beautiful hut, which is in perfect condition. It is closed and private. However, there is a small hut in good condition available below this spot. Please note: part of the hike is unmarked, so a good sense of direction is necessary.This hike can be done in average snow conditions. However, this requires even better orientation skills.

The Crête de Bassia from the Col de Beyrède offers a magnificent panoramic view of the Baronnies de Bigorre to the north and the Pyrenees mountain range from Arbizon to the Pic du Midi de Bigorre to the south.

On holiday in the Pyrenees, the weather is fine and dry, so why not take a walk to the Col d'Aspin with our two children (aged two and a half and five and a half).

From the Col d'Aspin, this short round-trip hike will take you along the ridges between the Campan and Aure valleys for a superb view of the Pic du Midi de Bigorre, the Arbizon and the Perdiguère peaks.

This hike can be done with or without snow... On the evening of 13 July 1944, seven British and Canadian airmen from the Royal Air Force took off to resupply the Nistos maquis. The Halifax aircraft crashed into the Pic du Douly. The airmen did not survive and were buried on site. Debris from the aircraft is still visible today. All this calls for silence and contemplation...

Snowshoe route offering views over the entire Payolle area. This hike can obviously also be done in summer. However, do not head towards Plo del Naou in foggy or snowy conditions as there are no landmarks (it is a very large summer grazing area). A good sense of direction is essential (especially after the summit).

A lovely snowshoe hike from the Payolle marble quarry. This is an unmarked trail, so a basic sense of direction is required.N.B. In some places, the IGN map is not up to date. The GPX track can be very useful.

A hike without too much elevation gain that leads to Pic de Mont Aspet (1,849 m), where you will have a magnificent 360° view.

A beautiful ridge hike offering superb views of the Aure Valley, to be done on foot or with snowshoes. No fewer than four peaks along the route, a real rollercoaster ride in the Pyrenees.

Hike offering some beautiful views of Lake Payolle and the Pic du Midi de Bigorre. At the Col d'Aspin, beautiful view of Arreau.

Hike along trails starting from Payolle, through the forest to the Col d'Aspin, then following the ridges of the Plo del Naou. At the summit, you can enjoy an exceptional panorama of the Campan and Arreau valleys, part of the Pyrenees mountain range, as well as the Pic du Midi de Bigorre and the Arbizon.

A lovely, easy hike from the Payolle campsite. This hike can be done on snowshoes. Le Courtaou near Les Esclozes has been restored. The Les Esclozes hut is maintained. A water supply channel is operational. This place was once an important settlement, as evidenced by the number of collapsed huts and barns. The route appears to correspond tothe PR® (no. 19), which is clearly marked in the opposite direction to the description.

Cette Crête de Bidour permet de descendre au Col d'Aspin depuis le Plo Del Naou et d'admirer la Vallée d'Arreau. En certaines périodes estivales, la zone de Payolle et les crêtes du Bidour sont assez fréquentées. Il est bon de démarrer la randonnée tôt.

A short walk through the wilderness, passing close to Courtaou d'Artigussy and Les Esclozes. A few leytès (traditional milk coolers) and building ruins bear witness to the area's former pastoral activity.

A walk steeped in local history. Starting at a 12th-century Cistercian abbey, a pleasant path leads to the 14th-century Château de Mauvezin de Gaston Phébus. Take a break on this rocky outcrop, which offers remarkable 360° views. The return to the abbey follows a downhill path through the woods.