Batcrabère Lakes

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The Batcrabère lakes are nestled in a cirque at the foot of a rampart formed by the Balaïtous, which rises to 3,144 metres, the Pic Palas (2,974 metres) and the Pic d'Artouste (2,816 metres).
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Details

n°422445
Creation:
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Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.10 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,605 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,592 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 7,195 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4,823 ft
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Photos

Batcrabère Lake
Upper Batcrabère Lake

Description of the walk

Access: From Argelès-Gazost, head towards the Col d'Aubisque. At Arrens, head into the Arrens valley, go around Lac de Tech and continue along the road to the Bédout pine forest car park.

(S/E) From the car park, take the path in front of the Maison du Parc and cross the Gave d'Arrens. After a few hairpin bends in the forest and a crossing, you will reach Lac de Suyen. Continue along the path.

(1) At the crossroads (1,558 m), turn right, pass at the foot of the waterfall to reach the Doumblas hut.

(2) At the next crossroads, turn right, pass by the "Toue de Doumblas" (shepherd's shelter under a rock). The path winds through increasingly sparse vegetation and emerges in the Larribet valley. At around 1900m, the path climbs in hairpin bends to reach the Larribet refuge.

(3) Continue along the path above the refuge towards a gap (Brèche de la Garenère). Follow the cairns. The path quickly overlooks the lower lake on the right. Continue to the upper Lac de Batcrabère.

(4) Return by the same route to the parking lot at the sapin forest (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 4,823 ft - The Bédout fir forest car park. Cross the - Gave d'Azun (rivière) - Affluent du Gave de Pau
  2. 1 : mi 0.9 - alt. 5,108 ft - Crossroads at 1558m: turn right after the - Lac de Suyen
  3. 2 : mi 1.35 - alt. 5,148 ft - Crossroads, Toue de Doumblas
  4. 3 : mi 3.35 - alt. 6,775 ft - Refuge de Larribet
  5. 4 : mi 4.05 - alt. 7,162 ft - Lac de Batcrabère Supérieur
  6. S/E : mi 8.1 - alt. 4,823 ft - The Bédout fir forest car park

Notes

Worth a visit

Visit the Toue de Doumblas (2).

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 27 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Nous en rando
Nous en rando

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A really lovely walk with a significant elevation gain!

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User 31293092

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Route walked on 26 September 26; the route is relatively straightforward, which is probably why it’s so popular in spring and summer – the mountain hut was still fully booked at this time of year.
The distance and elevation gain were greater than stated to reach the lakes
It took us 30 minutes less than the estimated time; we are regular walkers.

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User 7009691

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 28, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I did this route on Friday and the marked path is incorrect after the mountain hut. You need to go round the boulder on the right rather than follow the marked path. Otherwise, you’ll end up in a rather dangerous gap… I don’t know if there’s been a rockfall or something similar since the path was marked out, but do make sure you keep to the right, following the cairns.
Otherwise, it’s a magnificent walk; the upper lake is a real gem.

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User 31045931
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We set off in overcast weather and were in the mist, so we couldn’t see the lakes but could only hear the sound of the flowing water. Fortunately, the path is well signposted with arrows and markers

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Jacques Micheau
Jacques Micheau

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk, partly along the banks of a stream, so potentially refreshing.
Fairly busy but nothing too bad; there were only two other couples at Lake Batcrabère.
For the second time on this route, my GPS was out of sync with the Visorando map, but the elevation gain and length of the route were higher than advertised, although it is possible that my measurements took into account the actual ascent. The estimated walking time is reasonable.
Worth doing!

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caazro65
caazro65

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A wonderful discovery, an easy hike to follow, very popular in summer.
I loved the Larribet refuge, I recommend the blueberry juice.

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Shgreek
Shgreek
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful walk, best done at full moon.
The Larribet valley is wonderful.
The route is easy and well marked.
A moment of calm and rest at the upper lake at the foot of the Balaïtous, Palas and Artouste mountains
It was busy (in the afternoon, but I was on my way back down) at least as far as the refuge (remember to take change!).
My only regret: not being able to wait until September.

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Margorando
Margorando

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent, turquoise-coloured lake with few visitors. The path has lots of scree, so take care, especially on the way down.

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Tyty65
Tyty65

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful place

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valérie64
valérie64

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike with lakes and waterfalls...you have to like rocks...because there are a lot of them!!!! The return trip seemed long and endless under the blazing sun. It was very, very hot for 1 October. There's no shade at Batcrabere Lake. I did this hike in 2020 and didn't remember the return trip being so long... but then again, three years later, it must make a difference

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taillon65
taillon65

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

It's always a pleasure to return to this beautiful hike!
and on the way back, a delightful break at the Larribet refuge with a view of the cirque and, of course, the Balaïtous

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Mlise64
Mlise64

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike

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plainemontagne0750
plainemontagne0750

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice outing

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pinedey
pinedey

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed with my three children, who are very comfortable in the mountains (aged 6, 8 and 10), in seven hours (with three breaks). Varied landscapes, opportunity to swim in waterfalls (but the water is cold!). The trail is in good condition and well marked. A very beautiful hike. Thank you!

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LATAPIEJp
LATAPIEJp

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very beautiful hike, the timing indicated is good even for older hikers.
An added bonus is the excellent welcome at the Larribet refuge.
The only downside was the weather, which was very hot at the bottom and freezing cold with crazy winds at the lakes. But that's the mountains for you!

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Other walks in the area

Walking Larribet refuge

Visorando Member
Refuge de Larribet
↔6.18 mi ↗+1,900 ft ↘-1,900 ft ◔4h 30 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Arrens-Marsous (Hautes-Pyrénées)
The climb to the Larribet refuge is a pleasant hike. The first part of the route is marked by pastoralism, as evidenced by the numerous rock shelters (toues). From the refuge, there is a magnificent view of the Balaïtous and Palas mountains. In 45 minutes, it is possible to continue along the path to the Batcrabère lakes.

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↔7.75 mi ↗+2,008 ft ↘-2,008 ft ◔5h 20 ▲Moderate
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Starting from the Ancienne Maison du Parc south of the village of Arrens Marsous, this is a lovely walk to the Remoulis lakes, passing through the Bedout pine forest, Lac de Suyen and Labassa. On the way, there is a view of the Doumblas waterfall. Throughout the hike, there are superb views of the Arrens valley.

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A circular hike linking the Val d'Azun to Lake Artouste, skirting the Pic de Batbielh. Mountain atmosphere with Lake Migouélou, the scree slopes of the Col de la Lie and the Larribet refuge, but also more touristy near the little train of Artouste. A demanding route, which can be completed in a day and a half or two days, with magnificent landscapes.

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↔9.80 mi ↗+4,321 ft ↘-4,324 ft ◔8h 15 ▲Difficult
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