The Ardiden lakes

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This is a fairly uncrowded hike leading to magnificent lakes below the Pic d'Ardiden, crossing small mountain pastures and ending in a fairly rocky area.

Details

n°40080240
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.47 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,062 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,062 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,460 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,408 m
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Photos

Laguës Lake and hut
Uphill before the first lake
Lac Laguës
Lac Grand

Description of the walk

Park below the hamlet of Aynis. Yellow markings.

(S/E) Turn left onto a small path before reaching the buildings.

(1) Above the hamlet of Aynies, turn left towards the hamlet of Bernazou.

(2) Just before Bernazou, leave the path on the left, continue south-west then south, and reach Lac de Laguës.

(3) Continue straight on, following the left bank of Lac de Laguës, and head due south until you reach a fork.

(4) Continue straight on, passing between Lac de Cantet and Lac Herrat, and reach the shores of Lac de Casdabat.

(5) Turn right towards Lac Grand.

(6) Cairns help you find your way. Head right, off the path and due north, across the scree to reach Lac de Lahazère. Walk along the right-hand side of this lake and climb a small pass to catch sight of Lac de Pène.

(7) Join the track leading to Soum des Agudes and turn right to return to the fork on the way out.

(4) Turn left and head back down to the car park (S/E) via the reverse route of the outward journey.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,408 m - Car park below the hamlet of Aynis
  2. 1 : km 0.07 - alt. 1,437 m - Junction
  3. 2 : km 0.49 - alt. 1,527 m - Junction before Bernazou
  4. 3 : km 2.86 - alt. 2,039 m - Lac Lagües
  5. 4 : km 4.25 - alt. 2,325 m - Common junction for outbound and return routes
  6. 5 : km 4.72 - alt. 2,408 m - Lake Casdabat
  7. 6 : km 5.01 - alt. 2,455 m - Lac Grand (Lacs d'Ardiden)
  8. 7 : km 5.79 - alt. 2,445 m - Lac de Lahazère
  9. S/E : km 10.47 - alt. 1,408 m - Car park below the hamlet of Aynis

Notes

A short off-trail section to reach Lac de Lahazère through the scree, which is easy to cross. Cairns help you find your way.
The car park is small. Arrive early to be sure of a space.
There are no drinking water points along the route.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 12 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
d.brem
d.brem

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A physically demanding route, but without any technical difficulties.
Very few people at this time of year, especially for an 8am start. Saw a few people on the way back.
Marmots, summer pastures. And if you sit quietly and don't make too much noise, you may spot some chamois.
The last lakes are magnificent.

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Nous en rando
Nous en rando

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Exceptional!!!
A beautiful, uncrowded hike.
six lakes on the itinerary, including one that has dried up.
It climbs steeply at times, so you need to be well shod, especially for the descent, which includes a very enjoyable section over large rocks.
Lots of marmots along the route.

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User 13132812

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great hike. Difficult, lots of rocks, very steep after the first lake but great views, very rocky terrain. Well worth it. However, walking sticks are highly recommended.

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User 23086889

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

perfect

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lucile.mercadal
lucile.mercadal

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Difficult hike due to passages with large boulders near the lakes.

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Muchos
Muchos

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike. Greenery, flowers, rocks, waterfalls, lakes, animals, views... Truly superb. A very significant elevation gain, it climbs continuously. You have to be in good shape to do it properly. Before point 4, climb up a scree slope as straight as a wall, be very careful, but the trail is well marked with yellow markers, so no difficulties. We encountered snow shortly after point 4, which provided a magnificent view of the frozen lake. The starting point is very small, so there is limited parking space and you need a car with good ground clearance! Not very busy, this is definitely a route worth doing!

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pyrene79
pyrene79

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello.
Hike completed on 14 September 2024.
Up to the Laguës hut, there are no difficulties except for the elevation gain.
Then, after going around the lake, the obvious trail climbs steadily through increasingly rocky terrain. The arrival at the first lakes sets the tone for what's to come: rocks, rocks, and more rocks! The effort is rewarded when you reach the majestic Lac Grand d'Ardiden. Simply magnificent!
On the return leg of the circular route, crossing the large boulders towards the Aiguille de Lahazére is no easy task and poorly marked. Aim for the pass to the right of the peak, where you will find cairns.
The descent is long but not difficult. Note the spring near Lake Laguës, which is welcome in hot weather.
This route is difficult due to its elevation gain, so it might be nice to spend a night at Lake Laguës and climb the next day.
The small car park fills up quickly, especially in summer.
Don't hesitate to park further down, but this will make the hike a little longer.

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pierrejames
pierrejames

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It's a climb, and the start and end of the hike are quite steep but without any technical difficulties, as you're always on well-marked trails. But your efforts are rewarded by the magnificent sight of lakes of all sizes at the top, surrounded by impressive peaks. The route is never in the shade, so don't forget your hats!

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modine
modine

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We went to the first lake. Very beautiful.
A bit crowded.
Be careful on the road to the car park, it's busy but chaotic!
The car park isn't very big, but it can hold about eight cars.
Steep incline right from the start. Magnificent.

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Aca29
Aca29

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike with an elevation gain of over 1000m

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PatBolz
PatBolz

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike, very pastoral at the start, then rocky around the large lakes below Pic d'Ardiden. We easily followed the yellow markings, which are fairly clear, and used geolocation for the end of the tour at the lakes, where you have to climb over large boulders. The last section is quite steep, but if you take your time, it's manageable. The rhododendrons were in bloom and the marmots were friendly! Swimming in the lake is invigorating! Highly recommended!

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Guy.C
Guy.C

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
A very beautiful hike, although difficult to do in very good weather to see all the peaks and lakes.
I recommend it for experienced hikers.
GUY

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