The Col de Paloumère 2187m

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A climb to a pass starting from the Tech Dam, offering views of two truly renowned valleys.
On one side: the Tech Dam; on the other, Lake Estaing.

Details

n°80633
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.95 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 3,356 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 3,360 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 7,169 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,937 ft
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Photos

Lake Estaing
The view over Lake Estaing
View of the Tech dam
Cuyère de Labet Hut

Description of the walk

Park in the first car park on the right as you arrive, just past the dam on the right.
Head towards the dam (north).

(1) Cross the Tech dam.
Continue along the path heading due east. Pass a concrete hut in good condition on your left.

(2) At a right-hand bend, leave the track heading right and take a path (on the left) that leads into the forest (north-east). From there, cairns will help guide your way.
Continue along this steeply ascending path. At around 1379m, there is a right-hand bend and the path turns east. On leaving the forest, it heads due south to “overlook” the dam.
The path winds through the mountain pasture. It is more or less marked. Do not head back down towards the forest. Cairns will help you find your way.

(3) Reach the Cuyèou de Labet hut and continue roughly due south, continuing to climb. Cairns will help guide your way. Pass through an area of scree and boulders. Follow the cairns closely; they will help you.
You’ll reach a hilly mountain pasture and continue due south. Soon you’ll be able to make out the pass on your left.

(4). Reach the pass (2187m). The area is not particularly dangerous, but we are in high mountains.
Return via the same route to reach the car park at the dam (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,980 ft - 1st car park: Tech dam
  2. 1 : mi 0.2 - alt. 3,960 ft - On the right, cross the dam
  3. 2 : mi 0.52 - alt. 4,170 ft - Junction
  4. 3 : mi 1.26 - alt. 5,105 ft - Private hut and water tap
  5. 4 : mi 2.93 - alt. 7,116 ft - Col de Paloumère
  6. S/E : mi 5.95 - alt. 3,976 ft - 1st car park: Tech dam

Notes

The path runs partly through summer pastures that are no longer heavily grazed. Watch out for the grass, which can be slippery in the morning when there is dew.
To my knowledge, there is no drinking water source. However, water flows near the hut (spring).
As is customary: mountain gear, including rain trousers and a rain jacket. Warm clothing. Two litres of water, some snacks to enjoy up at the pass. A walking stick may be useful for the descent. Sturdy, high-top boots are essential for this type of route.

Worth a visit

From the dam to the park house (at the very bottom of the valley), there are no fewer than 10 hikes to choose from, ranging from day trips to multi-day treks.
In Arrens-Marsous there are plenty of places to stay and eat.
The Park House at the bottom of the valley is open in summer.
Transhumance in spring and the descent of the herds in late summer.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
Jean-Marc
Jean-Marc

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

You can’t see any cairns at first, but once you enter the forest, the path is clearly marked. After the hut, the path is easy to follow and you’ll find a few cairns before the scree.
At the pass, there is a lovely view of Lake Estaing and the surrounding peaks.

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Ulysse1
Ulysse1

Hello, have you ever done the climb from Lake Estaing? My plan is to walk from Lake Estaing to Lake Tech; the route suggested here would form the second half of the walk from the Col de Paloumère. Thank you!

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visorandofredo
visorandofredo

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

It’s a long climb, but the view from the pass is stunning on both sides!

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duacirra
duacirra

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A lovely walk at the foot of the Arcoètche. Views of the Tech Dam, rhododendrons in abundance, and, at the pass, the Lake Estaing is a sight to behold. A superb day.

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visorando
visorando ★

Good evening,

and thank you for your feedback! We already have plans for such a feature, which we are currently finalising.

Arnaud

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Lalette
Lalette

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 17, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

I’m new to this app. I haven’t used any other ‘competing’ products.
Very satisfied after two mountain hiking trips (Pyrenees). One route I was familiar with and another completely new to me. On the latter, I also had my trusty hiking kit (map, compass and altimeter) that I’ve used for 30 years!
Completely satisfied with these trials: ease of use, satisfactory accuracy, readability, low battery consumption (airplane mode).

Why on earth did they wait so long to release such an app!

Could these brilliant inventors perhaps add a feature to the system that allows a third party not taking part in the trip to locate the hiker? The point being that a solo hiker could share their exact position with someone who could raise the alarm in the event of... a problem. A real must-have. The holy grail, so to speak.

Thank you very much for this very practical, simple and adequate app... except for the previous paragraph.

Sporting regards

Lalette

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