Lake Cestrede

A beautiful walk in the Vallon des Granges de Bué, which can be done with children provided they are fit.

Details

73655
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.05 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 536 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 534 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,961 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,434 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Take the road to Gavarnie until you reach Gèdre. At the exit of the village, take a small road on the right in a hairpin bend towards Ayrues, then immediately turn left onto the Bué track until you reach the end (small car park).

(S/E) The trail starts slightly to the left as you arrive. Follow it for about 50 metres uphill until you reach theGR®10crossroads.

(1) Take this road on the right to quickly reach the Granges de Bué.

(2) Leave theGR®10and take the path on the right to reach the Oule stream.

(3) Cross the footbridge and a small scree slope. Climb a small ledge that ends in a flat area, where you will have a superb view of the Soutarra waterfall.

(4) Continue and, after a few switchbacks, you will come to a small gully requiring a 5-6m climb, using your hands for support in some places.

(5) Keep climbing to reach a second footbridge over the Gave de Cestrède.

(6) Cross this too and, almost on the side, you will reach the banks of the Lac de Cestrède.

(7) Retrace your steps to return to the car park where you started (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,436 m - Parking at Le Bué
  2. 1 : km 0.08 - alt. 1,447 m - GR10
  3. 2 : km 0.79 - alt. 1,538 m - Barns in Bué
  4. 3 : km 1.15 - alt. 1,551 m - Oule stream
  5. 4 : km 2.07 - alt. 1,736 m - View of the Soutara waterfall
  6. 5 : km 3.01 - alt. 1,901 m - Goulet
  7. 6 : km 3.73 - alt. 1,938 m - Cestrède footbridge
  8. 7 : km 3.99 - alt. 1,960 m - Lake Cestrède
  9. S/E : km 8.05 - alt. 1,435 m - Parking

Notes

Standard equipment, good footwear.
Drinking water available at the Cabane de Cestréde and camping possible.

Worth a visit

Lake Antarrouye.
Lake Culaus.
The Black Lake.

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.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 39 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
User 17564432

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A nice little walk to do in good weather, the scenery is magnificent. We are in the high Pyrenees, so the elevation gain is something to consider (it climbs a bit). There are plenty of yellow markings. If you follow them, you can't get lost.
A family walk, provided the children are a little older and enjoy hiking. The view of the lakes is superb and it's not too busy at this time of year (we met three people on the way up, nine on the shores of Lake Cestrède and six hikers on the way down).
Very well-designed hike information sheet

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DD5767
DD5767

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely little hike, Lake Cestrede is a bit empty at this time of year, but you have to go to Lake Antarrouyes, half an hour's walk away, which is really beautiful, small but beautiful. It must also be said that the sky was azure blue, which didn't spoil anything!

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User 875977

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Quite difficult and sometimes even dangerous. The lake is quite pleasant.

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filb
filb

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 : No

i'm an average hiker, but getting to the lake was really tough. I felt like I was at 3,000 metres. The path is mostly rocky, and it feels like you're walking along the bed of an old river. There are lots of sections with what you might call stairs with huge steps. as stated in the app details, you need to be in good shape, and I would add that you need to be in very good shape. That said, the lake is pretty, not very big, but the view along the way up is magnificent. There is a beautiful metal balcony next to the waterfall where you can admire the view. To sum up, I would classify this hike as difficult.

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carchet
carchet

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I am very satisfied

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AACR
AACR
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The climb is quite steep, rocky in places and there is little shade along the way. The arrival at the small lake is welcome.

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ALAIN 1975
ALAIN 1975

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

everything's fine

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Jos Beukeboom
Jos Beukeboom

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

very nice and beautiful surroundings

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Jake
Jake

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pretty lake, reached after a challenging climb in the sun at the edge of the forest. No orientation issues or technical difficulties. Good route description. It's best to set off early in the morning.

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modine
modine

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 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, accessible with children (aged 6 and 8). Some sections require a little caution, but there are no particular dangers. The lake is very pleasant, and a great place to dip your feet. The view is truly beautiful. The descent can be slippery, but it's fine.

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GG65
GG65

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike that requires a bit of training. The description should indicate "take a small road on the right towards Ayrues, turn left at the exit of Ayrues onto the Bué trail until you reach the terminus car park".
It would be a shame not to follow the Antarouye lake, which is less than half an hour away and is very beautiful. There are no particularly dangerous sections, contrary to what was mentioned in a comment. You just need to be careful, but it's very accessible.

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ANDRE Daniel
ANDRE Daniel

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

What is not mentioned in this report on the hike is the poor condition of the trail, which has not been maintained for years.
Some local authorities describe this hike as "family-friendly".
I strongly advise against taking children on this hike.
As I read in the comments below, it would be a shame to arrive at Lake Cestrède and forget its close and beautiful neighbour, Lake Antarouille.
Be careful, however, as one section of the trail is rather treacherous...
My judgement may seem excessive.
I would gladly agree with that of a member of the FFRP.

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pmb34
pmb34

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Easy route to follow. Lake Cestrede is common, but you really have to push on to Lake Antarrouyes, which is truly exceptional. There is just one technical and aerial passage that is difficult for those prone to vertigo. A cable would be welcome.

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julio
julio

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

5 stars for the guidebook, well done, plus the route is clear and easy to follow.
5 stars for interest, provided you go as far as Lake Antarrouyes, which is magnificent. We were very surprised by its "icy mint" colour, like a glacial lake, as it doesn't usually have this colour.
Only 3 stars for interest for Lake Cestrède, which is pretty but ordinary, whereas its big brother is exceptional. It would be a shame to stop at the gates of one of the most beautiful lakes in the Pyrenees after climbing the hardest part!

Physically, the climb to Cestrède is steep but not very technical. Antarrouyes is the opposite: very little elevation gain, but the end is technical and exposed, with a few dozen metres where you can't slip or stumble. Not for those who are afraid of heights!

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pluspreslahaut
pluspreslahaut

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

the path is well marked overall. When we went, the weather was very hot. About an hour from the lake, there is a dirt track facing the slope where there is a real risk of slipping. Otherwise, no problems, just a few rocky sections to avoid in wet weather. It's a shame that Visorando's suggestions don't mention the more beautiful and larger Lake Antarrouyes, which is only half an hour away and easy to access.

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