The Pladi Trail and the Prat dou Rey Hut

From the Soulas farm to Le Pladi
(Yellow markings)

(S/E) Start at the foot of the Couret farm. Follow the tarmac road uphill for 300 metres.

(1) Enter the nature reserve via a path that climbs to the right.

(2) At the junction by the boundary marker, follow the yellow markings to the right.

(3) You’ll come out onto the Crête des Picoulets; follow it to the left, heading south-east, before entering the beech forest.

(4) After passing a clearly marked trough, turn off to the right where the path becomes steeper and less defined. Through a narrow passage between the rocks, you’ll reach the Pladi.

From Le Pladi to the Col du Prat dou Rey (Batsurguère Valley)
(Yellow markings)

(5) Cross the meadow and enter the beech forest. The start of the path is inconspicuous, so keep your eyes peeled! Within the beech forest, the path is well marked, but take care on the rocky sections until you emerge from the woods. There’s a view of the ruins below.

Next, the path through the mountain pastures crosses a small ridge and veers to the right. In good weather, the Cabane du Prat dou Rey comes into view: head towards it.

(6) Head back down the path you took on the way up to return to the car park (S/E).

Winter safety precautions
Some sections of the Picoulets ridge are exposed, whilst others can be slippery in wet weather. This walk should therefore be avoided in winter.

Shelter
The Col du Prat dou Rey hut is open all year round and is unstaffed.

Hiking guide
- A route guide is available from the Saint-Pé-de-Bigorre Tourist Office (route no. 1, Le Pladi) or can be downloaded from saintpedebigorre-tourisme.com.
- The guidebook “De bois en estives” from the Pibeste-Aoulhet Regional Nature Reserve is on sale at the Saint-Pé-de-Bigorre Tourist Office (€9, 100 pages).

Pibeste-Aoulhet Regional Nature Reserve
The Pibeste-Aoulhet Massif Regional Nature Reserve is the largest regional nature reserve in mainland France, covering 5,110 hectares. It is a true gem of biodiversity, a refuge for hundreds of plant and animal species, including some of the rarest and most endangered in France and Europe, such as the bearded vulture, the Egyptian vulture and Manescau’s erodium… The reserve’s rich flora, fauna and landscapes will delight observant walkers!
''Reminder of the rules within the reserve
It is forbidden to pick plants or disturb animals, to light fires, to camp, to leave rubbish or other waste behind, to bring dogs into the reserve unless they are kept on a lead, or to introduce or destroy plants.”

- Ruins of a shepherd’s hut

- View over the Génie Valley and the slopes of the Aoulhet

- Natural spring