Lake Estaens

de fr

This round trip hike is mostly in Spain and is suitable for all walkers. It is a very easy family walk. The green surroundings are home to marmots and chamois, if you know where to look. From the end of June onwards, numerous flocks of sheep, cows and horses graze here. The lake is splendid and is surrounded by white rock mountains on the left with the Aspe peak and the Visaurin and on the right by red rocks with the Gabedaille peak.

Details

n°3189591
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.26 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,745 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,749 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 5,909 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4,298 ft
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

Lake Estaens
Lake Estaens
lake Estaens
Lake Estaen

Description of the walk

Access: In Oloron-Sainte-Marie, head towards Somport on the N134. Pass Urdos and just before the tunnel, head towards the pass. Follow this road for 3.5 km, then take a right turn at the junction marked 1329 on the map. The car park is in poor condition. This is a very popular hike, so don't arrive too late in the summer.

(S/E) Take the path below the car park. This path leads to the Gave d'Aspe, which you cross. Follow the track to a fork with a sign.

(1) Leave the track and turn right. Cross a small footbridge and you will come to a second signpost. Continue straight ahead and after two hairpin bends in the forest, rejoin the track you left at the start.

(2) Turn right onto the track that leads to a sheepfold, the Cabane d'Escouret (cheese shop). Follow it to a fork.

(3) Leave the sheepfold on your right and climb to the left (north-west), then follow the hairpin bends to the west. At the edge of the woods, you will reach the Spanish border next to border marker 292 (altitude 1,645 m).

(4) The trail heads due west and arrives at a flat area with a small stream at theGR®11junction.

(5) Ford the stream, looking for the most suitable place, and continue along the trail, which is generally westbound. You will reach a mostly dry ravine and then a flat area (altitude 1,800 m).

(6) Descend 40 m to reach the lake shore.

(7) Enjoy the peace and quiet and the magnificent panorama, then return by the same route to the car park where you started (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 4,327 ft - Car park. Cross the - Gave d'Asp (cours d'eau) - Espagne - Affluent du Gave d'Oloron
  2. 1 : mi 0.13 - alt. 4,314 ft - Junction - sign
  3. 2 : mi 0.47 - alt. 4,633 ft - Track
  4. 3 : mi 0.54 - alt. 4,652 ft - Sheepfold junction
  5. 4 : mi 1.34 - alt. 5,308 ft - Spanish border
  6. 5 : mi 1.61 - alt. 5,489 ft - Stream - junction °°GR®°°11
  7. 6 : mi 2.17 - alt. 5,846 ft - Gully
  8. 7 : mi 2.63 - alt. 5,761 ft - Lac d'Estaens (1754 m)
  9. S/E : mi 5.26 - alt. 4,327 ft - Car park

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

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.

Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 23 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
taboulechat
taboulechat

Hello.
I’ve also posted the circular route around Lake Estaens via the Chemin des Échelles.
Kind regards

Machine-translated

User 26479763

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

It’s a shame that the outward and return journeys follow the same route. A circular route would have been ideal.

Machine-translated

User 13317411

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk, but very busy in August! The car park was full, but we arrived around 2 pm and some spaces became available.
We’re weekend hikers (adults only) and the route is still accessible. Stunning scenery and the lake as a reward at the end (the water level of which is particularly low due to the heatwave…)
We saw cows and sheep along the way, but no marmots and certainly no chamois.

Machine-translated

Sardine3472
Sardine3472

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, not very difficult. There’s no risk of getting lost – the path is clearly signposted. The view when you reach the lake is stunning.

Machine-translated

User 27056717

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk that begins by passing through a forest – so it’s very shady – before emerging onto the grassy plateaus amongst herds of cows and sheep.
However, the difficulty level is significantly underestimated: the first 2 km are very steep, and the following 2.5 km across the meadows alternate between steep sections and deceptively flat stretches. That’s not what I’d call an easy walk!!
The return journey is, of course, a leisurely one along the same route.

Machine-translated

User 16693850

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful, very good.
The problem is that walkers aren’t respecting the area. There’s lots of toilet paper and rubbish lying about, and dogs are present even though they’re banned in the national park. Tourists are going for a swim...
Hikers, please take your rubbish away with you – even your toilet paper. There are so many of us passing through these areas; if we want them to stay as they are, we need to treat them with respect. Thank you for reading.

Machine-translated

User 30132929

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A walk with no technical difficulties but with a fair bit of elevation gain. As novice walkers, we found it quite challenging, especially as we set off a bit late and were heading back around 1 pm. Do feel free to walk round the lake to reach the viewpoint (be careful – the cliff edge is unsecured).

Machine-translated

LOS ESCAPATS
LOS ESCAPATS

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike, especially in good weather

Machine-translated

User 9438379

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 : Yes

The magnificent Lake Estaens under the sun. Beautiful images captured (photos and videos)
Most of the hikers were chatty Spaniards!
Fairly easy route.

Machine-translated

User 27283967

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Machine-translated

Gaël_Brest
Gaël_Brest

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful walk. Particularly busy in summer, we started the walk around 3pm (with no risk of storms) and it was really very pleasant: very few people, a really varied climb and a beautiful lake.

Machine-translated

Murielle Biez
Murielle Biez

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful hike, very busy! Lots of children and families.
Magnificent scenery. It's spectacular.

Machine-translated

Murielle Biez
Murielle Biez

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Following the damage caused by the weather in February and March 2025, the route has been modified. The signposting is well done. A beautiful hike

Machine-translated

taboulechat
taboulechat

Go to your account, then profile information, and you can change your email address. Of course, remember to save the changes.
Happy hiking!

Machine-translated

muntot
muntot

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

On snowshoes

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking Lac d'Estaens loop via the Chemin des Échelles

Visorando Member
Lac d'Estaens en boucle par le Chemin des Échelles
↔6.65 mi ↗+2,162 ft ↘-2,165 ft ◔4h 55 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Urdos (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
The aim here is to make a loop. You will need to climb down a small chimney and follow a path that runs along the cliff and takes you down a ladder. Magnificent view of the peaks and the valley below.

Walking Circular loop via Lac d’Estaëns or Ibon de Astanès

Visorando Member
Petite boucle par le Lac d’Estaëns ou Ibon de Astanès
↔6.71 mi ↗+2,218 ft ↘-2,221 ft ◔5h 00 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Urdos (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
It is a peaceful valley where a thin stream flows, where large herds of horses and cows graze in the calm air, indifferent to this geological feature, this reddish earth, on the border between Spain and France and Lac d'Estaëns (Ibon de Astanès).

Walking To the Gentiane plateau from the Chalet Cadier

Visorando Member
Vers le plateau de la Gentiane depuis le Chalet Cadier
↔3.40 mi ↗+1,152 ft ↘-1,138 ft ◔2h 35 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Urdos (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
If you’re looking for a route in the Somport area that’s less busy than the one to Lac d’Estaens but just as beautiful, this one might be just what you’re after. It’s a modest route (fairly short, suitable for all) but offers spectacular views across the entire border range around Somport. You might even come across walkers accompanied by one or two donkeys, for whom this route is a classic.

Walking The Bois du Sansanet and the Col Causiat around Somport

Visorando Member
Le Bois du Sansanet et le Col Causiat autour du Somport
↔4.92 mi ↗+978 ft ↘-981 ft ◔3h 05 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Urdos (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
An easy loop allowing you to discover the diversity of landscapes and natural areas on the northern flank of the Col du Somport. The climbs are gentle and the route is fairly easy to follow, provided you have a map on your phone with GPS. In addition, the Espace Somport is a pleasant place to relax. Everything you need for a "cool hike"! Visorando app recommended

Walking From Somport to Astún via the ridges – HIKE TO SEE AGAIN

Visorando Member
Du Somport à Astún par les crêtes – RANDO À REVOIR
↔6.86 mi ↗+2,782 ft ↘-2,795 ft ◔5h 35 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Aísa (Huesca)
Hike to revisit A little-used border hike offering views of the three valleys of Aspe, Canfranc and Ossau from above. Stunning views in all directions. Route for hikers: you will need to find your bearings at the start as there are no signposts. The end of the route can be avoided by hikers who suffer from vertigo.

Walking Lake Estaens as seen from Les Forges d’Abel

Visorando Member
Le Lac d'Estaens depuis les Forges d'Abel
↔5.93 mi ↗+1,998 ft ↘-1,978 ft ◔4h 30 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Borce (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
This circular route takes you to Lake Estaens from Les Forges d’Abel. It is also possible to do this hike as a return trip from Sansanet; this route is described on the Lac d’Estaens information sheet The route suggested here is a circular route offering a variety of scenery. Please note that this walk is slightly more vertiginous than the other one, in that reaching the lake requires using a small ladder attached to the rock face and a few handrails – though it is completely safe. Alternatively, it can be done as an ascent, which is less vertiginous than a descent. Although the route is not signposted, it is very well maintained and it is impossible to get lost. However, it is advisable to follow the route on the app to ensure you don’t get lost.

Walking The Pic de Gabedaille

Visorando Member
Le Pic de Gabedaille
↔6.03 mi ↗+2,989 ft ↘-2,986 ft ◔6 hrs ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Borce (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
A modest but extremely well-situated summit, on the France-Spain border, on the watershed (Gave d’Aspe and Río Aragón Subordán), in an exceptional geological area and with unobstructed views of the Western Pyrenees. A hike suitable for anyone accustomed to walking in the mountains and navigating with a map (off-trail descent).

Walking Arlet Refuge and Lake Arlet from the Espélunguère car park

Visorando Member
↔10.26 mi ↗+2,697 ft ↘-2,671 ft ◔7h 05 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Borce (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
There are several routes to Lac d’Arlet and the Arlet Refuge. This is one of the most beautiful: varied scenery with a magnificent viewpoint at an elevation of 1909 metres on the map, followed by the arrival at Col de Lapachouaou. The first half of the hike is steady but fairly strenuous. The rest of the way to the lake follows the contour lines more or less. You’ll have plenty of time to admire the stunning scenery unfolding before you from the slopes of Montagne de Banasse.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.