The Croix de Saint-Justin circular via the Adret trails in Barèges

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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.

Details

n°8594299
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.85 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,165 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,155 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 4,623 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,930 ft
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Photos

The bark of the Tauzin oak
The footbridge
ALAT commemorative stele
Downhill trail

Description of the walk

On the road between Luz-Saint-Sauveur and the Col du Tourmalet, stop at Barèges. After the double hairpin bend at the entrance to the village, drive for about 200 m and, on the left, just after the Hubert Reeves school, enter the public car park marked “Résidence de l’Ayré et HLM”, just before a large building with a timber-clad façade.

(S/E) Follow the course of the Bastan upstream along the footpath beside the stream.

(1) At the entrance to the footbridge crossing the stream, a large sign marks the start of the walks, theGR®® 10, and a beginner’s drawing trail. Cross the footbridge, then turn left onto theGR®® 10.

(2) Ignore the return path on the right and continue along theGR®. About thirty metres further on, you can see on the right, slightly off the path, a memorial stone in honour of the ALAT soldiers who died in the line of duty. Continue along theGR®® overlooking the Bastan valley.

(3) Continue straight on to the end of the path, where you will find a campsite and a rocky summit topped by the Cross of Saint Justin and a small chapel.

(4) After exploring the site and admiring the view, retrace your steps along the path for about 200 m.

(3) Leave theGR®® and take the path that climbs gently to the left (a variant ofthe GR®®10) and further on meets a track coming from the opposite direction, which descends towards a hamlet down to the right.

(5) Follow this track straight on, continuing along the path.

(6) In a sharp right-hand bend, the road crosses a stream via a concrete ford. At the bend, turn right onto the path descending southwards, more or less following the stream. After several long hairpin bends, the path moves away from the stream and crosses another path.

(7) Keep left to return to the stream, which you will soon cross before descending steeply alongside it. Join the GR®®again.

(2) Follow it to the left and return to the footbridge over the Bastan.

(1) After crossing the footbridge in the opposite direction, return to the car park by following the path along the stream (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,930 ft - Car park on the banks of the Bastan
  2. 1 : mi 0.13 - alt. 3,976 ft - Footbridge over the - Bastan (cours d'eau) - Affluent du Gave de Gavarnie
  3. 2 : mi 0.17 - alt. 4,022 ft - Junction of the circular loop
  4. 3 : mi 1.48 - alt. 4,124 ft - Junction: A/ straight on - R/ left
  5. 4 : mi 1.63 - alt. 4,154 ft - Chapel and the Cross of Saint-Justin
  6. 5 : mi 2.35 - alt. 4,350 ft - Follow the track straight ahead
  7. 6 : mi 3.05 - alt. 4,606 ft - Path descending to the right
  8. 7 : mi 3.45 - alt. 4,311 ft - At the crossroads, turn sharp left
  9. S/E : mi 3.86 - alt. 3,930 ft - Car park on the banks of the Bastan

Notes

This walk is not difficult; it can be done in trainers and walking poles are not essential. At most, take care during the descent between (6), (7) and theGR®® if it is raining or has rained recently: there is a risk of slipping. In this case, it is better to return via the hamlet of Souriche, as indicated below.

Worth a visit

Alternative route: you can continue along the track after (6) and descend further on, just past the hamlet of Souriche, which offers a more open, gently sloping descent.

It is also possible to do a (very) challenging circular route in the Capet Forest by climbing up to the ridges, which from the footbridge makes for a circular route of around 10 km and a bit over 1,000 m of elevation gain.

At the start of our route, the “Trait Nature” trail has been created; this is an interpretive trail offering an introduction to drawing in the natural environment, featuring numerous superb information panels. This facility was brand new when we visited in August 2018; I hope it has survived and been maintained since then, as it is a wonderful initiative.

Pyrenees National Park Visitor Centre in Luz-Saint-Sauveur

Néouvielle National Nature Reserve, managed by the Pyrenees National Park

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 9 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
Gif2019
Gif2019

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very easy to follow description. Hike without any particular difficulty. Very pleasant view. We were able to admire majestic birds of prey in flight.

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bruel Jean Louis
bruel Jean Louis

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

great trail with a crêperie at the end

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Damien64990
Damien64990

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with beautiful views over the valley. Suitable for children (aged 8 and 5). The steepest part is on the way back.

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basque randonneurs
basque randonneurs

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant hike that is accessible to everyone.
We had a wonderful time.

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stjo
stjo

Ah, @de Launay Daniel, what a well-written review, with heartfelt words and excellent English.

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de Launay Daniel
de Launay Daniel

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

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alainandria
alainandria

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A route accessible to all and ideal for a first taste of the beauty of the Barèges-La Mongie region. I recommend it to occasional walkers who want to enjoy the mountain air. Perfect if you are only in the region for a weekend.

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MaggyP
MaggyP

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This walk through the forest is very pleasant. The first part to La Croix is very easy and can be done with children. When you arrive at La Croix, there is a lodge and a crêperie where you can enjoy sweet crêpes, ice cream and drinks. The return journey is more difficult, with an almost continuous uphill climb to point 6, but it is possible to simply turn back on the GR. We came across some horses that came begging for bread.

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Azimut71
Azimut71
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 13, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The GR10 trail between <1> and <4> is very beautiful, wide, well maintained, and equipped with directional signs and benches.
A wonderful trail, almost horizontal except when approaching the cross.

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Yeti34070
Yeti34070

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The descent to Barèges at the end of the route is different from the one indicated on the information sheet.

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