Houer Lake

de fr

Lac de Houer is very quiet, as hikers prefer to head towards Lac de la Pombie from Cabane d'Araille.
In summer, this walk allows you to admire the equally beautiful landscapes far from the crowds, surrounded by pastures and herds of cattle.

Details

n°3163305
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.84 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,736 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,745 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 7,365 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 5,620 ft
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Photos

On the ascent
View of the lake
On the descent
Lac d'Houer

Description of the walk

In Laruns, take the D934 road towards the Col du Pourtalet. Pass Lac de Fabrège. Continue for 9 km to the Cabane de l'Araille, 1.2 km from the Spanish border. Park in the car park at the side of the road.

(S/E) Cross the road and take the track between the road and the Gave de Broussey. This marked path leads to the Refuge de la Pombie, the starting point for climbing the Pic du Midi d'Ossau. Cross a footbridge.

(1) Leave the path to the refuge on your right and continue along the track that turns left. It passes to the right of a pastoral centre.

(2) Enter a small valley that opens onto a vast plateau, the Plaa de la Gradillère.

(3) The path passes to the right of a more or less dry pond and climbs about 200 metres to reach the Col de Houer.

(4) Descend due west to reach the Lacs d'Houer lakes.

(5) After enjoying the site, return via the same route to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 5,643 ft - Car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.27 - alt. 5,623 ft - Fork at the Refuge de la Pombie
  3. 2 : mi 0.43 - alt. 5,686 ft - Pastoral centre
  4. 3 : mi 2.06 - alt. 6,759 ft - Plaa de la Gradillière
  5. 4 : mi 2.75 - alt. 7,356 ft - Col de Houer (2220m)
  6. 5 : mi 2.92 - alt. 7,313 ft - Lac de Houer (2253 m)
  7. S/E : mi 5.84 - alt. 5,643 ft - Car park

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

Worth a visit

(4) From the pass, you can climb Pic de Canaourouye by following the ridge southwards.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 21 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
jatapol
jatapol

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk – the scenery is magnificent. Take your binoculars; there are plenty of marmots in the scree slopes beside the path. We also enjoyed watching the majestic flight of the vultures and red kites, and the rock thrushes keeping an eye on us from their rocks. The route description isn’t very precise at the start, but luckily a shepherd gave us some guidance. Finally, after the hike, a quick drink at one of the Spanish mountain huts on the Col du Pourtalet brings the day to a pleasant close and also allows you to enjoy the superb view across the entire cirque, dominated by the Pic du Midi d’Ossau.

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Philippe de Pau
Philippe de Pau

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The Aneou cirque is as lovely as ever, whether in summer or in winter on snowshoes... The route to Lake Lhouer is straightforward, with the path clearly visible (though the GPX track is still useful). Unfortunately, the lake is suffering from global warming, and the algae are thriving a little too much in the rising temperatures. There are magnificent views on the far side of the Pic du Midi d’Ossau, and you can complete a short circular route on the way down by passing to the left of the final rocky outcrop.

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User 21568363

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A stunning view of the legendary Pic du Midi d’Ossau… but that’s not all.
The lake was a bit of a let-down... a shame.

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mat marche
mat marche

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb hike that’s easily accessible by car. Although it’s very exposed to the sun and features some fairly steep climbs (straight up, with no hairpin bends), this hike lives up to its description and is still perfectly manageable! We came across lots of animals (cows, horses, sheep and vultures) at this time of year.
The climb is well worth it (beautiful views all the way) and leads to a superb 360° view of the Pic du Midi d’Ossau.
You can extend the walk by exploring the surrounding peaks or ridges.
It’s quite a busy spot, so do set off early if you’re after a bit of peace and quiet.

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Hameaux Nathalie
Hameaux Nathalie

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, easy hike, with few people around on this September day
Marmots
You can't get lost
No one at the lake

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Gaël_Brest
Gaël_Brest

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent hike!
The lake itself is nothing special (especially in summer), but the route is truly splendid!
We did it in the middle of summer, but we didn't see many people on the trail.
Don't hesitate to climb Pico Baguer, which doesn't require much extra effort and offers superb views.

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Loulou64
Loulou64

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with two children aged 8 and 9. A feast for the eyes, between the landscapes and the family of ibexes practically at our feet by the lake... 👍

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Jojo marcheur
Jojo marcheur

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very good hiking advice, exceptional environment, not very busy.
However, the description is too brief, as there are many intersecting paths. Fortunately, there are cairns to guide us to the pass.
Thank you for this choice in any case.

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Pascal donard
Pascal donard

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike at the bottom of the valley, with the option of camping before climbing up to the lake and waking up alone in the mountains!
Beautiful lake, don't hesitate to climb to the peak of Canaourouye

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MONEIN131
MONEIN131

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk in beautiful surroundings, with few visitors. Keep an eye out for marmots on the plateau. A pastoral setting with flocks of sheep, magnificent Blonde d'Aquitaine cows and horses.

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gpsb
gpsb

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike not marked or signposted. Very little traffic. Steep climb, few switchbacks.
Beautiful view, easy to find at the end as the cairns point to other valleys.
No worries with the GPX track, which allows you to find the right direction straight away.

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Titus33140
Titus33140
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
Nice hike, the drought has significantly reduced the lake and the ponds are completely dry. We were lucky enough to see a marmot. It's quite a climb right from the start. I thought my 7-year-old son was going to give up, but the lunch break gave him new energy and he managed to make it to the lake. Watch out for the herd of cows that charged a hiker who was taking a break.

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pamoncla
pamoncla

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The Lac de Houer walk is easy and a good way to test your fitness.
The scenery is magnificent, with a view of the Astun resort at the end.

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PatGilles34
PatGilles34

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent hike. Beautiful scenery. No particular difficulties, apart from the intense heat that day. We were lucky enough to see several marmots. View of the Pic du Midi. Simply sublime

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retriever33
retriever33

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 03, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello, everyone

An excellent route, far from the crowds, leading to lovely little lakes and a magnificent ridge offering stunning views.
I highly recommend it. You can camp around the lakes and there are a few accessible peaks in the surrounding area.
What a joy! Thank you for this guide.
retriever33

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