Lac du Hourat from Cambasque

A beautiful lake with an island, difficult to access from Lake Ilhéou.

This hike is classified as difficult because the path is steep from Lac d'Ilhéou and a good sense of direction is necessary at the end of the route. This summer hike can be undertaken from the end of June until the first snowfall (for the Ilhéou - Hourat section).

Beware of Patou, the sheepdog. Do not cross through a flock, but go around it.

Details

n°147685

Creation:
25 Aug 2015

Last update:
01 Jan 2025

Last review:
17 Sep 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 12.69 km
Average duration: 6h 30
Difficulty: Difficult
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 1,018 m
Descent: - 1,020 m
Highest point: 2,359 m
Lowest point: 1,344 m

Country: France
Areas: Pyrenees, Massif de Cauterets, Lavedan
District: Cauterets (65110)
Start/End: N 42.882307° / W 0.14255°
IGN map(s): Ref. 1647OT, 1647OTR, 1748OT, 1748OTR
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Photos

Description of the walk

Access: on leaving Cauterets, turn off the D920 after the swimming pool and casino and follow the Route du Cambasque to the right. Continue to the terminus under a large cubic metal structure used to store parts for the chairlift.

(S/E) Head south-west along a well-marked path that climbs uphill. You will reach a bend in the track with a sign prohibiting access to unauthorised vehicles. Continue straight ahead along this track, which climbs up the left bank of the Gave d'Ilhéou, until you reach a wide footbridge.

(1) Cross it and turn right, following the red and white markings of^{the GR®10}. Follow this track for 500 metres.

(2) Turn left off the track and follow the markings. The path climbs above the track on your right. Head west.

(3) Cross the track, still following the markings. The well-marked path climbs over large rocks and scree. It turns right, heading due north for 150 m, and rejoins the track.

(4) Follow it to the right, still heading due north. Follow the markings for 100 metres.

(5) Leave the track and turn left, following the markings. The well-marked path climbs steeply and overlooks the track on your right. Head south. Join the track again.

(6) Turn left. Follow the markings; the track passes above Lac Noir. It curves to the right and heads north to reach Lac d'Ilhéou (or Lac Bleu).

(7) Reach the Ilhéou Refuge.

(8) Pass the refuge, cross a footbridge and immediately turn left (ignore the path on the right that leads to Col d'Ilhéou). A well-marked and cairned path climbs gently to the south-west. Follow the cairns carefully. The path overlooks the beautiful Lac d'Ilhéou, at the end of which the slope becomes steeper.

(9) The path turns left and heads south, aiming for a small wall on the left. In rocky areas, the cairns are well placed and allow you to climb with confidence. Reach the top of the scree. Descend slightly towards a stone shelter built under a large slab. Pass to the right of a tiny lake that is always full of water and arrive at Lac du Hourat (a wild lake, a good place to take a break).

(10) Follow the same route as on the way up. Follow the cairns carefully to the Ilhéou refuge.

(8) Take the uphill track again. Continue to the junction near Lac Noir.

(6) Leave the markings and follow the track to the left to pass in front of a beautiful rebuilt hut at the edge of the track.

(11) Cross a footbridge and turn left onto the trail. Join the path you took on the way up.

(4) Turn left and follow it to the footbridge.

(1) Do not cross the footbridge. Stay on the right bank of the stream. Continue to follow the red and white markings of^{the GR®10}. Continue downhill.

(12) Leave the^GR®10and descend to the left, into the summer pasture, heading for the car park below. You will need to cross an old stone wall, avoiding the beautiful restored barn on the right (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,347 m - Departure - Gave d'Illhéou (rivière) - Affluent du Gave de Cauterets
1 : km 1.18 - alt. 1,491 m - Footbridge - Cascade de Sahucs (Cauterets)
2 : km 1.44 - alt. 1,522 m - On the way up, leave the track
3 : km 2.59 - alt. 1,734 m - Straight ahead, cut across the track
4 : km 2.84 - alt. 1,803 m - Junction with the track
5 : km 2.91 - alt. 1,821 m - Fork in the road
6 : km 3.31 - alt. 1,889 m - Crossroads at elevation 1896
7 : km 3.96 - alt. 1,976 m - Lac d'Ilhéou ou Lac Bleu
8 : km 4.04 - alt. 1,984 m - Refuge d'Ilhéou
9 : km 5.06 - alt. 2,118 m - Change of course
10 : km 6.05 - alt. 2,353 m - Lac du Hourat
11 : km 9.44 - alt. 1,832 m - Footbridge and to the left
12 : km 12.35 - alt. 1,398 m - Leave the GR10
S/E : km 12.69 - alt. 1,347 m - Car park at the start

Notes

(8) At the Ilhéou Refuge, there is a water source and the opportunity to enjoy a quiet drink while admiring what we have achieved and the other hiking possibilities from this location (^GR®10trail).

We are in the high mountains, where the weather can change very quickly. You will therefore need clothing to protect you from the rain and cold.
Two litres of water, a snack for lunch, a camera, a 1:25,000 map, the GPX track and the PDF of the hike.

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

Coeur du Parc national des Pyrénées - more information

Worth a visit

In Cauterets, there are restaurants, cable cars to Cambasque and numerous hikes in the Pyrenees National Park. Restaurants, accommodation and other hikes outside the park.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5

Based on 14 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5

Route interest
4.6 / 5

cathycoco

17 Sep 2025 at 10:44 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

we didn't go all the way to Lake Hourat because the weather wasn't great and, above all, the descent would have been difficult in the rain
lake Ilhéou, or Blue Lake, is magnificent. We took a short break at the refuge

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User 2824178

26 Aug 2025 at 13:07 7200 • Edited: 26 Aug 2025 at 13:25 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful walk to Lake Ilhéou that is suitable for everyone, without any great difficulty. With children, follow the trail and not the GR10. There is very little shade along the route, so bring water. We did not plan to continue on to Lake Hourat.

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caazro65

11 Aug 2025 at 14:12 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Excellent route, not very busy, a little technical in places as expected.

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XavGrock64

11 Aug 2025 at 12:03 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A beautiful walk, but in full sun with few shaded areas, so bring plenty of water. Quite busy until you reach Lake Ilhéou, but it's worth the detour as the lake is very large and beautiful. You can eat, drink and fill up with water at the refuge next to the lake. The rest of the route to Lake Hourat is more difficult, so it's best to be an experienced hiker as there is a lot of elevation gain over a short distance. The route is well marked. There are two fairly steep sections where you may need to use your hands on the rocks, but there are no particular dangers on this section. Lake Hourat is also worth a look and you will undoubtedly appreciate the tranquillity of this uncrowded spot.

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missina

05 Jul 2025 at 17:44 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This hike should be avoided in hot weather as there is no shade whatsoever. It should also be avoided if you tend to attract horseflies, as there are many in the area. I learned this the hard way, and I know for a fact that I am not the only one who has been devoured.
Otherwise, the main attraction is Lake Ilhéou, a classic but definitely a must-see once in a lifetime if you love the Pyrenees!
We followed the trail scrupulously, which meant we used up a lot of energy on the way there on a scorching hot day (I alone drank 1.5 litres of water by the time I reached the Ilhéou refuge). It is also possible to reach the lake by following the track that starts from the Cambasque car park. This may be less interesting for experienced hikers, but it can be appealing for families or people who are a little less fit. This is the route we took on the way down.
We didn't go as far as Lake Hourat because we had to get back to Cambasque early. Maybe next time. In cooler weather and with repellent in our pockets this time .

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smashdc

04 Dec 2024 at 18:59 3600 • Edited: 04 Dec 2024 at 22:14 3600

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The start of the climb follows a semi-passable road but in a very beautiful setting ;-)
It is better to cut across this road on the way up, even if it is quite difficult on the paths, which are very rocky, otherwise it may significantly lengthen the hike. On the way back, I "cut across" less of the passages that I found difficult earlier because it is easier going.
Allow for more than 600 m of elevation gain for Lac d'Ilhéou or Lac Blanc.
The hardest part is yet to come on a route that is not very well travelled towards Lac du Hourat.
The path is clearly visible overlooking Lac d'Ilhéou but is not very wide and quite often sloping, and it becomes increasingly rocky.
As you approach the difficult climb, which is easy to recognise as it is almost entirely rocky, it is quite difficult to find your bearings. In principle, you should follow the stream flowing down the right-hand side (vertically), which you can see from above...
There are few cairns and you can't see them all on the way up, so a trail seems necessary even though I have indicated the principle to follow.
With the remaining snow, it is more difficult and you have to go around it because the gradient is steep: 22% - 27%.
Don't hesitate at the very beginning to cut across the stream at a flat section; this will save you from having to make the first detour and it's easy to do.
The climb will be as long as the descent on the rocky section. On the descent, I can see the cairns better and I follow the stream flowing on the left (going down; on the right going up, in theory, where it seems less difficult). Frankly, it's not easy, even among the hikes I've already done in the region...
A very beautiful lake at the end. You can continue a little higher towards the pass, but I was already quite tired and it's not easy and could be quite a workout! There was a fairly strong gusty wind at the top, but I still took my break at the top as it was warm.
The descent is a bit tough on the legs given the terrain. Good physical condition is required.
The views are still fantastic!

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Emi8064

24 Jul 2023 at 09:29 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

The start of the hike is truly magnificent, but the end, with the passage through the scree wall, is really very difficult. We hesitated to attempt it. Thank you to those who put all these cairns along the route. Lake Hourtat is not the prettiest in the area. However, if you don't want to meet anyone, it's ideal 😅.

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danielfr40

27 Jun 2022 at 20:39 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I went to the refuge and other places, but not to Lake Hourra
I set off from Cauterets, a steep slope up to Cambasque.
As the weather was foggy/rainy, I only took the track, not the GR trails
It's not easy to find your way between the two lakes, but luckily your trail guided me, thank you
I'll do it again for the view, because it was foggy this time

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Sudouestguy

06 Jul 2021 at 17:29 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
the route is busy, even very busy, up to the lake and Ilhéou refuge, but choosing the GR means you will encounter fewer people than on the road.
The description is accurate up to point 8, which ends with "the slope becomes steeper". This is indeed the case up to point 9 on the map, beyond which the presence of a very steep scree slope could be indicated more clearly than in the introduction to point 10.
Similarly, the description of point 10 is too vague and could do with more detail:
- you do descend towards a stone shelter, but only slightly,
- "pass to the right of a tiny lake" is indicated after the stone shelter. It would be wise and clearer when on the ground to indicate the climb up a scree couloir between the shelter and the lake.
A beautiful hike with a magnificent lake at the end, suitable for experienced hikers (scree couloirs, navigating by sight, reading the terrain and cairns). Walkers will stop at Lake Ilhéou.

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sedno

07 Sep 2020 at 18:57 7200

Thank you for your reply. I couldn't load the GPX file! Perhaps there's a problem with my browser?

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sedno

07 Sep 2020 at 18:25 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

i would have liked to have a GPX track
no major difficulties otherwise

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jb.julien.breton

10 Aug 2020 at 12:27 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2020
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 with a wonderful reward at the end. Follow the cairns carefully, which will lead you to the lake without any particular difficulty. This route is not very well-travelled, so it is best to be cautious. For my part (as an occasional hiker), it took me 1 hour and 10 minutes from the Ilhéou refuge (with quite a few photo breaks) and 50 minutes for the return trip.
Some sections require the use of your hands, but nothing insurmountable. Make sure you have a good pair of hiking boots and walking sticks.
Enjoy your hike.

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Monbet

23 Aug 2019 at 11:55 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 23, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A superb hike, Lake Hourat is magnificent (a diamond in a mineral cirque). As I don't have a car, I took the cable cars from Cauterets to the Lys ridges and then walked (45 minutes downhill) to Lake Ilhéou. From there, the path to Lake Hourat is not well marked (just a few cairns), so it's best to download the route onto your GPS (which I did). It's best not to go alone on this hike as it is very quiet, off the beaten track, which is also part of its charm.

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toutan

20 Aug 2018 at 13:41 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Superb hike to the magnificent Lac Hourat, well marked but requiring caution above Lac d'Iléou. Recommended hike.

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laurent-g

14 Aug 2017 at 16:41 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Instead of starting on the wide path, you can take the GR trail at the bottom of the car park, on the other side of the Gave d'Ilhéou river (basically, we did the opposite of what the signs indicated, thus avoiding the morning crowds and saving the wide, more relaxing path for the end of the day). We were alone there. The GR is certainly less regular and slower, but much less monotonous, and you walk closer to the river (the marmots are also closer). You will join the walkers on the trail at a footbridge.
Be careful at Lake Hourat, before signpost no. (10) in the description: we got confused by following other cairns and then several people climbing the large scree slope on the right, which leads up to a small dry lake (marked Hourat on the IGN map) and then on to the Hourat breach. This is a mistake; you need to aim for the climb on the left (which we did on the way down). Once at the top of the scree slope, you can join the climb to Lake Hourat, but this very steep scree slope is a real pain. Stay on the left once you start the climb after leaving the lake, and follow each cairn to reach the top. Then descend slightly to a small plateau where there is a stone shelter built under a large slab. Be quiet so you can see the large marmots living in the area. The final climb is still done by following the cairns. Lake Hourat is very beautiful and deserted, perfect for a nap or dipping your feet in the water. The descent offers very pretty views of the mountain and Lake Ilhéou (on the way back, stop for a crêpe at the refuge, where the managers are very friendly).

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