La Béque (1,721 m)

de fr

A small peak that can be climbed on snowshoes from the Sarrat de Gaye road and offers a magnificent 360° view.
A fairly challenging hike that requires a good sense of direction when the tracks have not been made.

Details

n°109111
Creation:
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  • Snowshoeing
    Activity: Snowshoeing
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.49 mi
  • ◔
    Duration according to the author: 4 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,103 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,106 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 5,636 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4,049 ft
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Photos

The snow-capped mountains
The little hut at Courtaou des Esclozes
Mountain hut
Mountain hut

Description of the walk

Park the car on the Sarrat de Gaye road, on the right, in a lay-by lined with small rocks and before a right-hand bend.

(S/E) Head due south along a wide track towards the Courtalets huts.

(1) Cross a stream and go round these huts on the left.

(2). Continue due south. You will need to zigzag through the snow-covered mountain pastures towards the first hillock (1596 m).

(3) Go round it on the left. Now head south-west towards the rocks marking the summit of La Bèque at 1,721m. Admire the landscape with views of the Pic de Midi de Bigorre. The 360° view is spectacular.

(4) From the summit, head south-west then turn east quickly, slightly south of the ascent route, then due north-east.

(5) At around 1,600 m, turn right towards the south-east, following a gentle ridge, and descend due east towards the Courtaou de Sarroua, which can be seen at the bottom of the valley.
The slope is gentle and perfectly passable on snowshoes. A short stop at this mountain hut (a summer pasture building) provides a chance to rest.

(6). Cross the La Gaoubole stream, turn right at a 90° angle and head due south, climbing to cross the north-south ridge that separates the two valleys.

At a crossroads, turn sharply left, heading north-east, and head for the Courtaou des Esclozes sheepfold overlooking the La Gaoube torrent. Another break may be in order.

(7) From this sheepfold, continue north-east along a track that runs slightly above the Courtaou.

(8) Reach the end of the Sarroua ridge and turn left, heading due west, following the track.

(9) Cross La Guaoubole and turn right heading due north.

(1). Follow this track to the car (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 4,052 ft - Route du Sarrat de Gaye
  2. 1 : mi 0.06 - alt. 4,085 ft - Common junction of the circular loop
  3. 2 : mi 0.23 - alt. 4,196 ft - Courtalets huts
  4. 3 : mi 1.19 - alt. 5,207 ft - Mamelon, a secondary summit of La Bèque
  5. 4 : mi 1.57 - alt. 5,400 ft - Summit of La Bèque
  6. 5 : mi 2.07 - alt. 5,305 ft - Head south-east
  7. 6 : mi 2.72 - alt. 4,518 ft - Courtaou de Sarroua
  8. 7 : mi 3.81 - alt. 4,400 ft - Courtaou, cabane des Esclozes
  9. 8 : mi 4.3 - alt. 4,413 ft - End of the ridge, to the left
  10. 9 : mi 4.55 - alt. 4,341 ft - Bridge over the Gaoubole
  11. S/E : mi 5.49 - alt. 4,049 ft - Route du Sarrat de Gaye

Notes

To start the hike, take the Route de Payolle towards the Col d’Aspin from Sainte-Marie-de-Campan. After 500 m, having crossed the Adour de Gripp in a wide left-hand bend, turn right onto the Chemin de Peyrehitte, which climbs uphill. After 1,200 m, turn left onto the Route du Sarrat de Gaye, which follows the ridge for about 5 km to the start of the hike. Pass a culvert and continue until you reach a sharp left-hand bend. Continue for 800 m and park the car on the right in a small recess lined with small rocks (before a right-hand bend).

There are no water sources on this route. Two huts are available along this route.
This is a winter hike; you will therefore need warm clothing, a windbreaker, spare socks, gloves, sunglasses, sun cream and a hat.
You’ll also need: a map, a compass, a route map for this hike, a flask of hot drink and a snack.
A smartphone with this route saved on it may prove useful.
Please note: not all mobile networks have coverage in this area.

Worth a visit

After the Courtaou des Esclozes (7), a house has been renovated to illustrate the way of life of these shepherds, who were isolated for four months in these summer pastures. It is on the right, 150 m along the return route.
In the valley, Sainte-Marie-de-Campan is known for the Tour de France cycle race, but also for its many hiking trails of varying difficulty.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 6 reviews
Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Durisp
Durisp

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 20, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike completed on 20 March 2022, with no snow.
A minor inaccuracy (surely just a typo) in the description (list of waypoints): the altitude given for waypoint no. 4 at the summit of La Bèque is 1,600 m. whereas the specifications state "Highest point: 1,707 m", in line with the 1,721 m shown on the IGN map and my altimeter.

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64PYRENEES
64PYRENEES

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 29, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A lovely walk with no major difficulties; the view from the summit is very pleasant, offering a stunning 306-degree panorama.

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balou17
balou17

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A hike done on foot at the end of June. This hike requires a compass or GPS; there are no proper paths. At point 4, we didn’t head far enough south; a short detour to the lake; very nice.

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Biquet93
Biquet93

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 02, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

This was my girlfriend’s and my first snowshoe hike. Very easy to get to and with no technical difficulties. Magnificent scenery. If you don’t have snow tyres, park at La Séoube on the D918 and follow the track towards Sarrat de Bon. The road soon gives way to a pleasant track with alpacas in the surrounding meadows. Allow an extra hour and an additional 250m of elevation gain for the ascent. The Courtaou des Esclozes hut is open and well-equipped. If you’re camping, use the large communal barn rather than the small hut, which has been restored for heritage conservation purposes and not for travellers to camp in.

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rambau
rambau

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 23, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hello, I haven’t done these walks yet, but the website is excellent. I run a club and the guides for Brittany

, where we’re going in late June and early July, have been a great help.

Thank you

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Serge et Nadine
Serge et Nadine

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 04, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

This is an easy hike, so it’s suitable for many hikers; as a result, the route description is perhaps a little too geared towards more experienced hikers who are used to navigating with a compass.

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