Lakes of Ayous

The not-to-be-missed Lacs d'Ayous, deep in the Ossau valley, with a magnificent view of the Pic du Midi d'Ossau.

Details

58698
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 15.74 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 751 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 752 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,096 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,394 m

Photos

Description of the walk

From Laruns, head towards Spain via the Col du Pourtalet. After the hamlet of Gabas, in a hairpin bend with a small car park on the left, turn right towards the Lac de Bious-Artigues (road closed in winter, which explains the sign "Interdit à Tous Véhicules" which can lead to confusion).
Two car parks are available. The first is on the edge of the lake and the other further down before you reach the lake.
Leave early, otherwise you'll have to park in the "lower" car park, which is an extra 30 minutes' walk.

(S/E) At the start of the walk, head towards Lacs d'Ayous. The path skirts the lake on the left, then leads into a forest.
After a concrete climb, reach the Pont de Bious junction.

(1) Leave the track and follow the GR®10to the right towards Lacs d'Ayous (signposted). It passes through a forest and twists and turns. It then leaves the forest and reaches a pastoral area. Continue on past a promontory behind which is the first lake, Lac de Roumassot.

(2) Walk alongside it. The path then continues along a waterfall to reach the second lake, Lac du Miey.
Behind a final promontory, with a gentler climb, you will find Lac Gentau with, above it, the Refuge d'Ayous from which you can enjoy a magnificent view of the lake with the Pic du Midi d'Ossau in the background.

(3) From the refuge, continue along the path that twists and turns along the feeder stream to Lac Gentau towards a ridge.
This leads to Lac Bersau, which you skirt to the left to reach, after a few metres, the pass between Pic de Bielle and Pic Castérau, the highest point of the route.

(4) Take the fairly steep path down to a fork at the bottom of the valley.

(5) Leave the Col des Moines path on your right and turn left onto the path leading down to Lac Castérau.

(6) Follow this path over a small rise and then wind its way down the scree to the path leading from the Hosse shepherd's hut.

(7) Go down to the left towards the bottom of the valley, following the valley. Leave the paths leading to the Pic du Midi d'Ossau on the right and descend to the Pont de Bious where you left the track to take the path.

(1) Then take the same path back down through the forest to Lac de Bious-Artigues.

(8) For the more courageous, turn left to walk around Lac de Bious-Artigues and back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,415 m - Lake Bious Artigues
  2. 1 : km 1.99 - alt. 1,544 m - Pont de Bious. Turn right onto the GR10
  3. 2 : km 4.13 - alt. 1,852 m - Lake Roumassot
  4. 3 : km 5.48 - alt. 1,968 m - Ayous refuge - Lacs d'Ayous
  5. 4 : km 7.33 - alt. 2,054 m - Collar
  6. 5 : km 7.68 - alt. 1,984 m - Col des Moines crossroads, left.
  7. 6 : km 8.16 - alt. 1,944 m - Lake Castérau
  8. 7 : km 9.35 - alt. 1,719 m - Cabanes de la Hosse. Left towards Pont de Biou
  9. 8 : km 13.44 - alt. 1,434 m - Start of the tour of Lac de Bious-Artigue.
  10. S/E : km 15.74 - alt. 1,416 m - Lake Bious Artigues

Notes

The path is clearly visible and well signposted.
During the summer months, the upper car park is full at around 8.30am, so it's closed and you have to park in the lower car park.
Water is available at the Refuge d'Ayous.
On the way back, if you don't want to walk around Lac de Bious Artigues, allow half an hour less.

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

Worth a visit

Tour of the Pic du Midi d'Ossau.
Lake ER.

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

4.8 / 5
Based on 155 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
yves paulais
yves paulais

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A superb hike done on 13 October 2025, not to be missed. Certainly much busier in summer

Machine-translated

Crevette64
Crevette64

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed at the end of September in sunny weather, no difficulties encountered.
Superb view of Pic Ossau

Machine-translated

AlexR-(Gameroxx)
AlexR-(Gameroxx)

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hiking with incredible scenery (just how we like it). The route is exotic, with a short initial section that is perhaps less interesting, but the rest is definitely worth the detour: lakes, mountain huts, animals, viewpoints...

Machine-translated

User 27444704

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

One of the most beautiful hikes in the Pyrenees, taking 6 hours with a few breaks.

Machine-translated

User 20413392

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 : Yes

Beautiful hike, completed in 5 hours and 15 minutes with breaks. Car park full but not too many people on the trail. Great for testing equipment, boots, rucksack, etc. Easy hike

Machine-translated

Nous en rando
Nous en rando

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

There were lots of vehicles in the car park but not many hikers on this trail...
A very beautiful hike that is definitely worth doing and very accessible. Beautiful landscapes, rocky mountains, lakes, forests, herds of peaceful sheepdogs. However, you need to wear good footwear as there are quite a few stones.
A short 15-minute detour takes you to Lake Paradis.
You can buy cheese, food and drinks. Bring cash, as the shepherd does not accept credit cards. (Excellent cheese and inexpensive at the Roumassot hut).
Worth doing again in winter

Machine-translated

Joked
Joked

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Wonderful hike. At point 7, we followed the GR trail on the right, leaving the stream on our left to rejoin the route later. This alternative seems more enjoyable than the suggested trail. The circuit took a little over 5.5 hours, including breaks.

Machine-translated

User 9990556

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

With the fine weather, the landscape and its lakes are magnificent. Easy hike.

Machine-translated

User 7516236

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We parked at the Bious-Artigues car park, where there was still plenty of space at 8:30 a.m. on the last Sunday of the summer holidays. The car park has dry toilets, which is handy before setting off on the walk.

With our dogs, we set off on the hike to Lake Gentau (it is not possible to go beyond the Ayous refuge with them). Before leaving, we took care to call the refuge and ask the people working at the car park if there would be any herds and patou dogs, in order to avoid any awkward situations. Everything went very well on that front.

The trail is splendid from start to finish, and the scenery is truly magnificent. Be careful, though: in the first part of the forest, we were stung by what appeared to be wasps from a nest located directly on the trail. In addition, if your dogs pull, the descent can be difficult and even dangerous because they must remain on a leash. With our three huskies, some passages caused us a bit of difficulty.

On our return, a lovely open-air café agreed to welcome us and our dogs, which was very pleasant after our exertions.

We won't be doing this hike again with our dogs, but we still have wonderful memories of it.

Machine-translated

User 3077399

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike, crowded but not excessively so, even in August, as there is plenty of space. It is recommended to arrive at the car park early, as many people sleep there and the number of parking spaces is relatively limited.

Machine-translated

Starley
Starley

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A must-see... perhaps a bit too much so.
Beautiful weather, breathtaking scenery.
On the way up, you meet people, but that's okay.
On the way back, it's like a motorway, you come across hundreds of people, including a small percentage who are inconsiderate... that's just how it is.
I'll choose a better time slot next time.

Machine-translated

Annie971
Annie971

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 : Yes

A magnificent hike. However, you need to add 45 minutes if you are at the second car park, but we only took 5 hours and 15 minutes in total, including a lunch break. But be careful, we always descend very quickly. An interesting option on the way back is to take the GR trail at point 7 below along the river, which is much nicer than the circuit road and much less crowded.

Machine-translated

Selabo
Selabo

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The hike is superb. It is very varied: forest, torrent, viewpoints, but very, very busy

Machine-translated

Katia3317
Katia3317

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 : Yes

A magnificent hike, and the app is really very accurate. If there is even the slightest deviation, the app sends reminders

Machine-translated

User 18661830

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The hike is 5/6ths in full sun, so it's best to leave early, especially to be able to park at the nearest car park. We arrived around 7:30 a.m. and finished around 2 p.m.
We took the time to take photos and have a picnic at the top. It's uphill for the first 6-8 km and then it's all downhill. Quite physically demanding. Pleasant surroundings and beautiful views.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.