Lac de Sarrouyes

A very beautiful hike that is accessible to everyone. The descent into the steeply-sided Sarrouyes valley retains a wild appearance. The end of the climb is in the middle of a meadow, following the stream. You may see many marmots here.

Details

n°3662758
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.87 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Average

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,352 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,349 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 7,119 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 5,289 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

On leaving Saint-Lary-Soulan, turn right onto the D 25 towards Azet. Continue towards Val Louron. At the Col d'Azet, take a small road on the right in the bend. Park a little further on in the small car park.

(S/E) Take the track heading south, which passes under the Bruyères ski lift. Continue along this track and pass under the Myrtilles chairlift.

(1) You can shorten the route by climbing straight up following the ski lift. Otherwise, follow the track that passes under the chairlift and continue climbing more gently until you reach a hairpin bend.

(2) Turn right and reach the arrival point of the Myrtilles chairlift.

(3) Turn south onto the track, which becomes a grassy path. Very quickly, turn slightly right onto a secondary path and reach an unnamed pass, passing under the ski lifts.

(4) The well-marked trail switches to the other side and begins a 100-metre descent into the Sarrouyes valley to the Tuc d'Ardounes hut on the right.

(5) The well-marked trail begins to climb up to Lac de Sarrouyes.

(6) After spending some time enjoying the pretty lake, return along the same route to the small car park after the Col d'Azet (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 5,289 ft - Small car park after the Col d'Azet
  2. 1 : mi 0.51 - alt. 5,866 ft - Myrtilles chairlift
  3. 2 : mi 0.88 - alt. 6,148 ft - Trail marker
  4. 3 : mi 1.07 - alt. 6,299 ft - Arrival at the Myrtilles chairlift
  5. 4 : mi 1.49 - alt. 6,765 ft - Unnamed pass
  6. 5 : mi 1.86 - alt. 6,463 ft - Bottom of the valley
  7. 6 : mi 2.93 - alt. 7,113 ft - Lac de Sarrouyes
  8. S/E : mi 5.87 - alt. 5,289 ft - Small car park after the Col d'Azet

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 33 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
eaglefoot
eaglefoot

Overall rating : 2 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2026
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

As mentioned in previous comments, the first climb is quite steep. It’s not particularly interesting as it’s set amongst ski lifts, but there are lovely views over the valley, especially from the highest point. The valley leading down to the lake is rather bleak: narrow and rocky; it must be gloomy, even eerie, in overcast weather.
The lake is rather disappointing. We saw very few marmots during our visit
The most disappointing hike of our fortnight-long trip in the Pyrenees

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Souhaly
Souhaly

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A really lovely walk, there and back to the lake.
It’s a steep climb right from the start, as you tackle an elevation gain of around 450 metres straight away. This ascent can be gruelling as there’s no shade to be found. However, you’ll be rewarded by the many birds of prey and the view over Lake Loudenveille. On the other side, you’ll come across cows grazing freely during the summer grazing season and, above all, you’re likely to spot some marmots.
The return journey is inevitably tough on the knees and thighs during the final section, where the climb is steeper.
Nothing insurmountable for hikers of average fitness.

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User 30926180

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 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. Be warned, the climb is very steep near the ski runs. We were lucky enough to spot several marmots between points 4 and 5, and one near the ski runs.

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User 17076587

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 23, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A really lovely walk, especially the second part after the Val Louron slopes – magnificent views, marmots to be seen – brilliant! I highly recommend it! Make sure you take the stony path on the right at the Col d’Azet – the car park isn’t immediately visible, but you’ll find it a little further on. That’s where the walk starts.

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fidu
fidu

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A lovely walk, as mentioned in the previous comments. However, I think it’s a bit of a stretch to describe it as a family walk, as one previous comment did! I feel that’s setting people—regardless of their climbing ability—up for challenges that are mainly down to the elevation gain.

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User 3882980

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A lovely walk to go on once the snow has melted.

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User 15788547

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 : No

A very pleasant hike for families, but with a fairly significant elevation gain, so it's best for children who enjoy walking. The hike ends beautifully at Lake Sarrouyes, where you arrive to the sound of marmots whistling if you're quiet enough.

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Sport
Sport

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 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 with the Sarrouyes lake as a reward.

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Stephanie44
Stephanie44

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 15, 2024
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; the closer you get to the lake, the more spectacular the scenery becomes. The final climbs are a bit challenging, but the circuit is very popular due to its accessibility for families from the Val Louron chairlift, which detracts slightly from the enjoyment

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catherinelanglais
catherinelanglais

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A lovely walk with no particular difficulties!
The trail is well marked!
The climb is a little steep under the chairlifts up to point 3 and isn't particularly interesting, but once you reach the pass, the view is magnificent!
We heard marmots but didn't see them!

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Julien65
Julien65

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A family outing for some exercise. It got us back into shape, which was great. The scenery was magical. We had a wonderful time

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devatnouaillefamily
devatnouaillefamily

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great itinerary, it's splendid, I highly recommend it!!!

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DV99
DV99
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A family outing with children aged 9, 8 and 5... a beautiful walk... cows and marmots everywhere

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Jlbmathis
Jlbmathis

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very good app for first use

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genevieve.margerit
genevieve.margerit

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The hike begins on a steep slope below the chairlifts. You can avoid this tedious section before the end of September by starting from Val Louron station and taking the Myrtilles chairlift, which will take you to point (3). The hike is uncrowded and wild. We were lucky enough, after passing the unnamed pass on the other side, to hear the bellowing of stags (around 9 a.m.). This autumn was very dry, and the landscape seemed very mineral.

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