Lake Superior and Lake de l'Île from Lake Aubert

Although less well known than their prestigious neighbours, the Néouvielle lakes are also magnificent. We can add Lac de l'Ours, which is accessible by footpaths.
This short hike with little elevation gain is an invitation to stroll from lake to lake, especially if you add Lac de l'Ours to the route, going from the small lake before Lac de l'Île and back. In this case, add an extra hour.
You are entering the Néouvielle National Nature Reserve, which is protected by regulations. Please respect these regulations (see practical information).

Details

3583925
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.75 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 343 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 334 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,382 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,162 m

Photos

Description of the walk

At Aragnouet Fabian, leave the Bielsa tunnel road and turn right onto the D 929 Route des Lacs. At the Lac d'Orédon junction, turn right and take the toll road to the Lac d'Aubert terminus (closed from 9:30 a.m., shuttle buses available).

(S/E) From the car park, return along the road to the edge of Lac d'Aumar. Signposted Col d'Estoudou.

(1) Continue either along theGR® 10 or along the road to the end of Lac d'Aumar.

(2) Take the path on the left towards Col d'Aumar. The well-marked path zigzags up to Col d'Aumar (altitude 2,374 metres).

(3) The well-marked trail descends.

(4) At the fork at around 2,330 metres, continue descending due north.

(5) At the Lacs d'Estibère lakes, take the path on the right.
If you miss it, don't worry, the path continues straight on to Lac Supérieur and you will have to go around it on the right. The path reaches the edge of the lake.

(6) Take a small south-east path that leads to a small lake.
Go around it on the left and join Lac de l'Île. Follow it on the left to its end.
Option: from this point, you can make a round trip to Lac de l'Ours by heading south-east.

(7). Cross the stream and climb a little on the hill on the right, being careful not to go down on the left. You will quickly find a well-marked path in the grass that heads roughly south-west to rejoin the path you took on the way up.

(4) Turn left and return to the car park (S/E) via the same route.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 2,162 m - Parking - Lac d'Aubert
  2. 1 : km 0.6 - alt. 2,198 m - Shore of Lake Aumar
  3. 2 : km 1.1 - alt. 2,199 m - End of the lake
  4. 3 : km 2.01 - alt. 2,382 m - Col d'Aumar (2374m)
  5. 4 : km 2.4 - alt. 2,326 m - Crossroads of the circular
  6. 5 : km 2.89 - alt. 2,309 m - Path on the right
  7. 6 : km 3.17 - alt. 2,325 m - Lake Superior
  8. 7 : km 3.85 - alt. 2,276 m - Lac de l'Île
  9. S/E : km 6.75 - alt. 2,162 m - Parking

Notes

Regulations concerning the Néouvielle National Nature Reserve:
• Dogs are not allowed in the core area of the Pyrenees National Park, even if kept on a leash
• Dog kennels - information available from Aragnouet Town Hall - Tel: +33 (0)5 62 39 62 63
• No fires, to prevent fires and damage to the ground
• Please respect the silence to preserve the tranquillity of the area
• Bring bin bags with you to take your rubbish back down with you
• No picking or collecting of plants, minerals or fossils is permitted
• Capturing animals is prohibited
• Regulated camping is permitted more than an hour's walk from a road access point, between 7 p.m. and 9 a.m.
• No camping or motorhome parking overnight to preserve the beauty of the sites and prevent pollution
• Hunting and fishing are prohibited

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

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 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
sosovroum16
sosovroum16

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 : No

We went hiking at the end of October, so there were very few people around, and the reserve was a real feast for the eyes! The climb up to the Col d'Aumar is a bit tough for those who aren't used to it, but the descent on the other side is very pleasant as the landscape is so beautiful!!! Be sure to follow the GPS carefully, as there are lots of small marshes... In summer, there are lots of herds to avoid, so keep your distance to avoid disturbing these lovely cows! 🐄🐄

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CRIBEY
CRIBEY

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

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christine.dumouch
christine.dumouch

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant hike, not very busy

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fougerey
fougerey
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful, uncrowded hike with lovely views of the various lakes.
To avoid the road at the start, we reached Lake Aumar via point 2191, which makes the hike a little longer but allows you to walk along the lake for longer.
Similarly, on the way back, we crossed to the other side of Lake Aumar, which gave us another view of Lake Aubert. The trail is very good at the beginning, a little rocky towards the end but without any real difficulty.

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chasqui
chasqui

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very "gentle" walk with no particular difficulties, even if the climb to the pass has a slight incline. This walk may inspire newcomers to take up hiking. The lakes offer different views that punctuate the route. Bring your swimsuit because you won't be able to resist the urge to take a dip. We chose the Aumar lakes at the end of the circular for swimming, which was a real treat. We went well over the recommended time to make the most of it.

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LDB
LDB

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Less frequented than the route above Lake Aubert. We did this hike with two children/teenagers aged 10 and 12, which was quite difficult for them. We arrived at the Lake Aubert car park before 9.30am. It took us much longer than 2½ hours given our physical condition (as adults) because you still have to climb the pass. The scenery is superb. The route is fairly clear except for the return after Lac de l'Ile, but it's easy to spot the pass you need to reach, so you can make your own trail.

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danielfr40
danielfr40

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant hike
Instead of returning by the road at the start, I recommend taking the path that runs parallel to the road alongside Lake Aumar and, while you're at it, going around the other side on the way back. It's longer, but it's a pretty route.
The climb to the Aumar Pass is easy and slightly shaded.
The descent on the other side would also be easy, but in May there are many snowy crossings, so bring walking sticks.
The upper lake and the island lake are fairly average, but the view of the mountains is stunning.
Thank you.

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Britanicus100
Britanicus100

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 11, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A route leading to lakes of dazzling beauty.
Thanks to our colleague for this hiking suggestion.
I made a video, which you can find here, that captures the atmosphere of this route and shows the path and important landmarks.

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Vador78
Vador78

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Important information: You will only be able to drive up to the Lac d'Aubert car park until 9.30am. From then until 6pm, the road from the Lac d'Oredon toll booth to Lac d'Aubert will be closed.
You can take a shuttle bus that connects the two car parks, but it is very slow and therefore runs infrequently. The last shuttle bus leaves Lac d'Aubert at 6 p.m.
Otherwise, you must be very careful not to lose your way on the descent from 4 to 5. There are some fairly wide passages with large stones, so you need to be very careful at this point.
Similarly, from 7 to 4, the path is not clearly marked and it is very easy to lose it.
Don't panic, you will always arrive with the VisoRando app to guide you, and even without it, as the lakes are located in a cirque. However, you risk lengthening the route and making it much more difficult, especially with young children.

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