The Orx Marsh

As its name suggests, this hike runs along the Barrage d'Orx marsh in the nature reserve.

The nature reserve consists of the Barrage marsh, which you can walk around, and the North Marsh and Central Marsh, which are closed to the public.
The Burret Marsh, to the east, is located outside the nature reserve.

Details

4543326
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.16 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 5 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 5 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 6 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Labenne (40530)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 43.590707° / W 1.40829°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 1343OT, 1344OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

To get to the starting point, go to the Maison du Marais d'Orx located on the D71 road in Labenne.

(S/E) Walk past the Maison Béziers and join the D71, which crosses the marsh.

(1) Cross the D71 and head south along the path between the marsh bank and the canal until you reach the access path to the observatory.
First in the form of a wooden footbridge over the marsh, it turns into a path of slats laid on the sand and then into a sandy path.

(2) Turn left towards the east onto the footbridge leading to the observation post.

(3) Return by the same path to the banks of the marsh.

(2) Turn left towards the south to continue along the path between the bank and the canal. This path runs along the bank to the pumping station.

(4) Return along the same path to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 6 m - Maison du Marais car park
  2. 1 : km 0.18 - alt. 6 m - Route D71
  3. 2 : km 1.3 - alt. 5 m - Access path to the observation post
  4. 3 : km 1.66 - alt. 2 m - Observation post - Marais d'Orx
  5. 4 : km 3.95 - alt. 4 m - Pumping station - Boudigau (fleuve)
  6. S/E : km 7.16 - alt. 6 m - Car park at the Maison du Marais

Notes

Picking is not permitted in the nature reserve.
Dogs, even on a leash, are not allowed.
However, we recommend taking every opportunity to admire the birds and nutria.

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
Cath2505
Cath2505

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant walk with a heron, a few birds and some rodents.

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Betiño
Betiño

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very pleasant in good weather, a place for bird watching with a little bit of history about the pumps that drain the marsh.

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GOGO
GOGO
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant short walk through interesting, perfectly preserved and maintained countryside. An informative walk for the whole family, but not only.
When we reached the pumping station, we turned left to join and follow the second trail called "Tour du Marais sud d'Orx" (South Orx Marsh Trail). We think this is actually the "East" marsh.
Combining the two walks means you cover around 15 km and only have to cross the dam road (which isn't very pleasant due to the traffic) once.

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Bern's and Co
Bern's and Co

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The season (summer) is not the most lively in terms of wildlife. Nothing extraordinary, very few birds.
Otherwise, very well laid out.

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Fabuunto
Fabuunto

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Thank you for this idea for a family outing. A very pleasant route with many points of interest for children.

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Hervé Bignon
Hervé Bignon

So, I sympathise, but it will probably be more pleasant another time, when Storm Justine has stopped bothering you.

Kind regards,

Hervé

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machelé
machelé

Hello,

Sorry, it wasn't the description that disappointed me, it was having made the trip for nothing.
GG

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Hervé Bignon
Hervé Bignon

@machele

To be honest, I don't really see why the description would be disappointing just because the road is closed due to bad weather.

But if there's anything I can improve, your opinion would be invaluable.

Thank you in advance.

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machelé
machelé

Overall rating : 2 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : Not used / Not applicable
Very busy route : No

Hello,

Hiking is currently impossible due to weather conditions.
The D71 road that crosses the marsh is flooded,
and the path around the lake is closed by the nature park authorities.

Kind regards
GG

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