Lac de Soum from the Col du Soulor

de fr

This is an easy walk along the border between the Pyrénées Atlantiques and Hautes Pyrénées departments, suitable for walkers. You will encounter sheep, horses and cows, admire birds of prey soaring overhead and enjoy views of peaks such as the Pic du Midi de Bigorre and the Gabizos, as well as beautiful landscapes (the Ouzom and Arrens Marsous valleys).

Details

n°757527
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.72 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 140 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 136 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,599 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,449 m
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Photos

Col du Soulor
The lake
Lac de Soum
View of Lake Soum

Description of the walk

(S/E) From the Col du Soulor car park, head east and take a grassy path that leads to the start of the zip line. Descend slightly towards the Lac de Soum path and join it.

(1) Turn left. Immediately ignore a path on the left and climb gradually towards the Col de Soum. Ignore a path on the left and continue to a fork.
Then turn left to reach the Col de Soum (view of the lake).

(2) At the pass, turn left and follow theGR®101south-west, which climbs slightly and is bordered by other paths that run more or less parallel to it, which you should not take.

(3) Pass the Col de Mauben.

(4) At the fork, continue on theGR® (right-hand path). Go around Cap d'Août on the right and head south. Cross the ski lift line and join the Col du Soulor (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,472 m - Col du Soulor
  2. 1 : km 0.41 - alt. 1,449 m - Chemin du Lac de Soum, on the left
  3. 2 : km 3.05 - alt. 1,532 m - Lac de Soum nearby - col de Soum
  4. 3 : km 3.48 - alt. 1,549 m - Col de Mauben (1549m)
  5. 4 : km 3.64 - alt. 1,562 m - Fork, right
  6. S/E : km 5.72 - alt. 1,472 m - Col du Soulor

Notes

The D126 leading to the Col du Soulor is narrow in places and overlooks the valley floor in some sections. It is advisable to be comfortable driving on mountain roads.

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
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Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 42 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
jl nousty montagne
jl nousty montagne

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 24, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A family hike with children aged 5 and 7; there was still some snow on the ground, but we managed without snowshoes or crampons. It was an easy walk with little elevation gain and lovely views. We had a picnic at Lac de Soum.

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Francis L
Francis L

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Well-marked route, easy, very beautiful views.
Quite busy, which is the downside.

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User 24042869

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

Lots of mist at the start. A few drops of rain. Lovely walk.

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User 26511869

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

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

A pleasant, very popular hike, with little of interest apart from the Soulor Pass... I've done better...

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Alain du Gers
Alain du Gers

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The route is as described. Starting on the forest side, the climb is gentle at the beginning of the hike. Extending along the Serre ridge and the Cantau hut for an additional 3 km is worthwhile to enjoy the view of the Val d'Azun.

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Vielle-Aure
Vielle-Aure

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Very nice tour

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Renaud Lcq
Renaud Lcq

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very good short hike with wonderful scenery. Not too much elevation gain.

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Emilie 47
Emilie 47

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant short hike. Easy to do and the scenery is magnificent. Ideal for families with young children as the route is flat.

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gben
gben

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A nice, easy and very pleasant walk. Watch out for the sheepdog guarding the sheep.

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Al49
Al49
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A short, easy loop with few people offering a 360-degree view of the peaks. There are lots of blueberries on the left as you climb up to the pass. Be careful when parking, as horses roam freely and come up to scratch themselves against cars!

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castle
castle

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

easy route and beautiful scenery

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evedu64
evedu64

@pju
Thank you for your feedback.

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pju
pju

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Spectacular views along most of the route. Nice snack bar (restaurant) at the start of the circuit.
Narrow D126 road to access the start. Road to the Col de l'Aubisque not recommended for motorhomes. We are in the mountains 😉😉
Easy route, wide trail with little elevation gain. Be sure to take the right trail when you arrive at the zip line. Large metal markers line the route

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evedu64
evedu64
• Edited:

@AurélieHermenier

Thank you for your comment

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AurélieHermenier
AurélieHermenier

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A very pleasant hike that took 1 hour and 45 minutes with two teenagers. The Soum Lake does indeed resemble a marshy pond, but we saw many cows and horses grazing nearby, quenching their thirst. The view was stunning.

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