Lac d'Estom in the Lutour Valley

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A beautiful hike in the Lutour Valley, which is a magnificent place.

Details

n°686767
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.79 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 440 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 440 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,805 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,365 m
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Arrival at Lac d'Estom!
Towards Lac d'Estom
The lake
Lutour Valley

Description of the walk

Departure from La Fruitière, easily accessible from a road suitable for vehicles.

(S/E) Take the path at the end of the car park (signposted Lac d'Estom, 1 hour 45 minutes). Follow the path on the right bank of the stream, an easy, steady climb.

(1) Leave the path to the Russell Refuge on your left and continue straight ahead.

(2) Then cross the stream on the Pouey Caut footbridge and continue along the path. After 10 to 15 minutes, the climb becomes steeper. You will arrive at Lac d'Estom.

(3) Return to the car park (S/E) by following the same route you took on the way there.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,365 m - Departure - La Fruitière
  2. 1 : km 3.08 - alt. 1,544 m - Intersection with Russell Trail
  3. 2 : km 3.43 - alt. 1,553 m - Footbridge
  4. 3 : km 5.35 - alt. 1,804 m - Refuge d'Estom
  5. S/E : km 10.79 - alt. 1,365 m - Arrival - La Fruitière

Notes

Refuge at Lac d'Estom with water source.
The estimated time (1 hour 45 minutes) is optimistic if you take the hike at a leisurely pace.

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 67 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 19628220

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent hike that was really enjoyable throughout, with beautiful panoramic views. The arrival at the lake is magnificent

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User 16932539

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

An easy hike, even for seniors like us (aged 77). No particular difficulties, except for temperatures above 30°C at midday on 16 August at the lake.
As you get older, the stones on the moraine seem to get higher and higher.
The estimated climbing time (1 hour 45 minutes) is a little optimistic. Allow 2 to 2½ hours.
Enjoy the hike.

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nat56
nat56

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

There weren't many people at the start at 8:30 a.m. The first part was easy along the water, with a few difficulties at the end, but nothing insurmountable, and we arrived at the lake with a magnificent view of the surrounding mountains and cliffs... There were more people on the way back, and in 10 years of hiking, I've never seen as many dogs as on this hike (we came across at least 20), even though I thought we were in the national park...

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User 9456811

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike where you come across numerous waterfalls. A popular route in summer.
Pretty lake but not much flat ground around the edge.

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User 20969554

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

This is a fairly easy route. There are a few climbs but none are particularly difficult. Very pastoral landscapes and forest paths. The lake is magnificent with views of the glacier.

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remycontant
remycontant

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 02, 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. Our group of 25 seniors enjoyed the scenery despite mixed weather and a spectacular thunderstorm. We received a warm welcome at the lake, thanks to the very helpful young man.

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clcyrot
clcyrot

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike, very popular in summer.
The first hour is a very easy, gently sloping path, ideal for children. You can also stop at the water's edge, which is very pretty.
The rest of the hike climbs a little more, but the arrival at the lake (after 2 hours and 10 minutes for us) is magnificent.
You can walk around the lake, which is well worth it even if the path is sometimes poorly marked.
A stop at the refuge to sample the blueberry tart is obviously a must!

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clcyrot
clcyrot

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike, very popular in summer.
The first hour is a very easy, gently sloping path, ideal for children. You can also stop at the water's edge, which is very pretty.
The rest of the hike climbs a little more, but the arrival at the lake (after 2 hours and 10 minutes for us) is magnificent.
You can walk around the lake, which is well worth it even if the path is sometimes poorly marked.
A stop at the refuge to sample the blueberry tart is obviously a must!

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fougerey
fougerey

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, and the caretaker at the Estom refuge by the lake is very friendly and his blueberry juice is delicious and refreshing (not too sweet)!

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User 25592606

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This route is magnificent and you arrive in paradise. It's a shame that the girls who urinate leave their paper half-covered...

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User 4819982

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful morning hike: at 11 a.m., walkers and hikers began to "climb". But starting at 7:30 a.m. and enjoying the cool air and magnificent light as the sun rose above the peaks, it was almost magical.
The rhododendrons in bloom provided a splendid pink and red colour against the rich green backdrop of the Pyrenees...
A delight for the eyes and a delight for the body: sometimes you just have to "take it slow".

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renaud64
renaud64

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

fairly easy hike, steady climb with magnificent scenery.

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Bientzat
Bientzat

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike on a well-marked trail, starting early in the morning. The path was often flooded due to heavy rain the day before. Stunning mountain scenery in the valley below, lit up by the morning sun. Please note that the refuge at the end of the trail is open from 1 June to the last weekend in September.
The journey took 2½ hours at a leisurely pace, taking time to admire the natural surroundings.

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Vanessa83140
Vanessa83140

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

An easy hike, gradually climbing alongside the stream before becoming a little steeper towards the end.
But the arrival at the lake is magnificent, and the effort is quickly forgotten.
Very busy, but that's to be expected as it's truly superb from start to finish.
Very warm welcome at the refuge, where you can enjoy a delicious blueberry tart with juice.

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Al49
Al49

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An unmissable hike with magnificent scenery. No difficulty, very nice refuge by the lake, good blueberry tart. The car park at La Fruitière fills up quickly, so it's best to set off early.

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