The Bois d'Arce loop in Lescun

A fairly short loop above Lescun, ideal for warming up, for children or people who are a little tired. A short climb and a gentle descent: what more could you ask for?

Details

28041600
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.18 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 276 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 274 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,466 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,195 m

Photos

Description of the walk

You can park at the hairpin bend on the Route de Laberouat at an altitude of 1214 metres, where a dirt road branches off horizontally.

(S/E) The trail starts on the GR®10 route heading south-east. After about 150 m, there is a fork in the road.

(1) At this point, take the path on the left, which climbs slightly. It is not marked but is very well defined. Cross a fern forest, then the path begins to climb more steeply in hairpin bends. The view of the village of Lescun soon appears. After about half an hour of climbing, the ascent levels off and you arrive at the ridge.
The path branches off to the left along the Ourtasse ridge, skirting the beech forest on the northern slope.

(2) At the junction with the yellow-marked trail leading to the Cabane de Boué, the route continues by taking this trail to the left, descending slightly.

Off-route: if you turn right at this point, you will reach the Cabane de Boué in about an hour.

The trail passes through alternating fern and woodland areas until it reaches the Refuge de Labérouat road.

(3) Once on the road, follow it to the right and climb a little for about 150 metres.

(4) As soon as you see the GR® markings, turn left onto a wide path that descends into pastures (muddy in places).

(5) At this junction, follow the GR® to the left and you will arrive at the road where the car park is located (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,217 m - Car park on the Laberouat road, elevation 1214 metres
  2. 1 : km 0.19 - alt. 1,195 m - Fork in the ascending trail
  3. 2 : km 1.35 - alt. 1,466 m - Junction with the Boué hut trail
  4. 3 : km 2.38 - alt. 1,378 m - Route to the Labérouat refuge
  5. 4 : km 2.53 - alt. 1,391 m - GR junction
  6. 5 : km 3.53 - alt. 1,236 m - Fork to the left with the GR
  7. S/E : km 4.17 - alt. 1,217 m - Car park on the Laberouat road, elevation 1214 metres

Notes

  • The uphill trail is not marked!
  • In wet weather, the area around waypoint (5) becomes very muddy. It is best to do this loop in dry weather.

 Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Pantxo
Pantxo

We were wearing hiking boots. But we came across someone wearing snowshoes and thought that must be ideal, as the snow was sometimes up to our knees.

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bobca
bobca

Yes, it's a good idea to do this circular when it's really cold, because the mud from the springs is solid! However, I haven't considered going there with snowshoes...

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Pantxo
Pantxo

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

For a walk with family or friends, at a relaxed or more intense pace. We did this short hike on a beautiful day after it had snowed. It was enchanting! No difficulty. You go from the hillside with a view of the Lescun cirque to the ridge that leads you to the woods – magical.

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User 26970839

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

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bobca
bobca

Thank you, I have amended the description accordingly.

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User 14810352

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Certainly a very pretty walk, but better during dry periods, given the various muddy sections on the descent.

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User 26634014

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb hike and excellent GPS tracks. Make sure you wear suitable footwear for the mud at the end .

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AVFan
AVFan

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A really lovely family hike! The GPS route is spot on.
There was a lot of mud on the last part, which was great fun for us, but not so much for our shoes... but there are springs where we could wash up...
Thank you, Visorando!
Lescun is a magnificent place!

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Randonneur31
Randonneur31

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A family walk, no difficulty apart from the mud at the end. Just before point 4, you can stay on the road (an extra 10 minutes' climb) for a return trip to the Aberouat refuge, where there is an orientation table.

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bobca
bobca

Certainly! There are quite a few springs, and it's been a rather wet year. Things would be much better after a period of dry weather...

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Matt P
Matt P

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful circuit
Quite muddy on the third section

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.