Lacs de Bastan via Lac de l'Oule

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike on the Néouvielle side, starting from the Artigusse car park. No major difficulties until you reach the Bastan refuge. Then I climbed up to the Bastan pass, which takes an extra 40 minutes. It's a steep climb, but the view from the top is magnificent.

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Date of your route : Sep 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

It's a very beautiful hike because it takes you to several lovely little lakes with crystal-clear water.
However, there are a few things to note:

• It's a very accessible hike, which means you'll see a lot of people. So if you're looking for peace and quiet, this is something to bear in mind. We found ourselves alongside three families and their "numerous" children (aged 6 to 14), and it felt more like a summer camp, especially at Lake Bastan, the end point of the hike.
• Secondly, you should know that parking costs €7 (flat rate for the day) and there's no way around it: I find that too expensive for a hike, especially in your own county! There's no real way to park elsewhere (although I didn't explore further upstream). The car park is not tarmac or landscaped: I wonder if it's run by Vinci (okay, I'm being cynical). However, there are new toilets and a hut with an employee in the car park. You can only pay by card, as far as I remember, and contactless payment is possible.
• The hike starts on a path that takes you "quickly" (half an hour) to the very large Lake Oule (a dam lake), which isn't very pretty, especially in summer when the water level is low: just so you know.
• The refuge is closed for renovation, so there's no hope of stopping there to eat or drink.
• However, you can fill your water bottles and use the dry toilets.
• Finally, you can bypass part of the route and avoid going to crossing point no. 4. Between points 3 and 4, at the quarry ravine or before if you wish, you can rejoin the route (at the "1951" altitude mark on the IGN map). However, it is steep and, although you can hike the classic trail in trainers without any problems, this section requires mountain boots or at least mountain-style footwear.

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Date of your route : Aug 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The walk to Lake Oule seemed a bit long, especially as we were disappointed when we arrived to find the lake level very low.
The scenery between Lake Oule and the upper lake is superb. Very pleasant welcome at the Bastan refuge

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Date of your route : Aug 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello to all hikers, enjoy your walk. Although long, it is not particularly difficult. Pleasant, first under the fir trees, then along the edges of typical lakes.

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Date of your route : Jul 04, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

a very beautiful parish-specific to Brittany hike with very pretty lakes. The distance is long for people who don't walk much. The signage is well done, so there is no risk of getting lost. A must-do

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Date of your route : Nov 19, 2021
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We followed the same route as the Bastan Lakes on the GR10, but starting from the Col de Portet.
I made a video that captures the atmosphere of this magnificent route.
It's herehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILqxn-aX...

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Date of your route : Aug 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A really lovely hike, the scenery is beautiful.
I particularly loved the first Bastan lake.
There isn't much shade along the route, but there's always water nearby to cool off
There are two refuges along the way, perfect for a quick break.
This is a fairly popular hike in these magnificent surroundings.

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Date of your route : Jun 13, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We really enjoyed this hike, which offers magnificent views. At the beginning of June, there were few people and free parking... There are some steep climbs between points 4 and 5, but your efforts are rewarded by a series of lakes where you can enjoy a picnic. As the weather was turning cloudy, we turned back at the refuge without going to the upper lake.
Thank you for this hike

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Date of your route : Jun 15, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Stop at the Oule refuge for a delicious lunch.
Easy round trip hike.
Very good dinner and excellent night at the same refuge.

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Hike impassable since November 2020 due to a landslide on the trail between the car park and Lake Oule, still in place as of 04/05/2021. Please note that there is no sign indicating this at the car park, only 500 metres further on, at the entrance to the trail leading up to the lake.

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Hello;
we did this hike with our little boys, who were 6 years old at the time, over two days with a night in a tent in Bastan.
What a treat...
It was our first time. This year, we're going for three days between Lac d'Orédon, Lac de Madamète, Refuge de Bastan and back to Orédon. They're 8 years old now, and I think it's going to be great.
Great website, by the way, which helps us plan our hikes well.

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Date of your route : Jul 29, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very accessible route offering beautiful scenery and lovely trails. Continue on to Lake Superior. It's truly peaceful and serene, a feast for the eyes and a delight for photography enthusiasts.
At a time when we need to prioritise physical activity to stay healthy, it's a shame that the car park is paid and quite expensive, which will discourage many people from exploring the numerous trails in this region.

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Date of your route : Aug 17, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We did it as beginner walkers, so we struggled a bit and stopped at "Lac du Milieu".
It was very crowded, so don't go in August if you want peace and quiet
The first part of the walk through the woods to Lac de l'Oule isn't particularly interesting, but you'll be rewarded with a beautiful lake and stunning views when you arrive.
You can eat at the dam.
The part after the lake, as mentioned, is much harder (especially for beginners), but quieter.
Return by going around the "middle lake".

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Date of your route : Jul 28, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike along various lakes. No difficulty, but a bit long if you're not a very regular walker

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Date of your route : Jun 12, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We did this hike in June. It does indeed become more difficult after Lake Oule, but it is entirely doable. Above all, the Bastant lakes are very beautiful and the refuge wardens are very pleasant.

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