Nousty walks

Easy country hike around Nousty, starting from the village centre with its beautiful buildings and wash house. On this very rural route, the Houn de Moussu is a local curiosity, a fountain providing water that is very good for your health, according to the elders. Legend has it that Henri IV drank from it when travelling from Pau to Coarraze. There is a viewpoint shortly after the 419-metre altitude on the Chemin Henri IV. The return through the fields, crossing fords, adds extra charm to the outing.

A circular route around the lower part of the village of Soumoulou via Gomer, where you can discover part of Henri IV's trail, the GR® 782, in the hills. The village's central square offers easy parking.

An accessible and varied circular route on the balcony of the Pyrenees. Starting and ending in the centre of Soumoulou, this hike is appealing for its practicality: spacious car park, easy start and a circular route that avoids any complex logistics. The route alternates between quiet roads, country lanes and PR® footpaths, offering a gentle immersion in the contrasting landscapes of the Pyrenees and the Béarn plains.

A beautiful route on the hillsides of Rontignon, a few kilometres from Pau. Several beautiful views of the ridges and the Pyrenees.

A lovely walk along roads and tracks, including a visit to the Piétat Sanctuary and a return route via the ridges of the Baliros and Narcastet hills, back to the starting point in Mazères.

First, discover the site itself, the Sanctuary of Notre-Dame de Piétat, built in 1661 by the inhabitants of the farming community of Pardies. The region is rich in history! Next, enjoy the splendid view of the Nay valley to the south-east of Pau, and another beautiful panorama of the Pyrenees from the sanctuary's orientation table. Finally, you can have fun discovering the fountains and other springs hidden in the woods and hills of the site....

About fifteen kilometres north-east of Pau, the walk takes you through cornfields and oak and chestnut woods.

An easy, flat walk, alternating between forest (the Bois de Pau or Forêt de Bastard) and cultivated plains.Suitable for walking or mountain biking.

A shaded walk on the hillsides of Jurançon to discover beautiful forests and estates.

The route starts at the top of the Ger hill in Ibos and takes you to the Menhir on the Ger plateau. After entering the woods, the route becomes shaded and you will walk up the Géline. You will see a mini waterfall. You may even spot some deer... Moderator's note : the slate bridge has been destroyed: see the notice dated 21/03/2022.

Hike in the Bois du Commandeur in Ibos and Bordères-sur-l'Échez along the Souy river.The route is located between the D817 road from Pau and the D2 road from Bordères to Pintac, mainly using forest paths and trails. However, there are some short sections on roads. ⚠️ Read the comments on this hike.

This walk will take you to the four churches of Montaner, through forests and, from the plateaus, to vast panoramas with the castle tower as your anchor point.

This beautiful, accessible walk is steeped in history; it follows the old Pontacq road used by charcoal burners in days gone by. Once you arrive at the Mousqué plateau, you can enjoy a shaded picnic area at the foot of century-old oak trees. From there, admire the superb view of the Saint-Péen massif and its countryside, then the Nay plain stretching all the way to Pau.

A must-see for Saint-Pé residents and their friends, the peaks of Le Mousqué and La Tourette offer an exotic stroll and magnificent panoramic views of the surroundings of Saint-Pé-de-Bigorre. Ideal at sunset in summer.

In the Hautes-Pyrénées, near Lourdes, Saint-Pé-de-Bigorre reveals some of its charms during this hike: architecture, limestone massif and caves (with views of the Gave de Pau and the surrounding mountains), and even its Devil's Bridge!

On the hillsides of Saint-Pé-de-Bigorre, this 10 km route with an elevation gain of 180 m takes you through everything that makes the immediate surroundings of this village so beautiful: its small paths, meadows, woods, rivers and houses, in short, its rural heritage.Whether you're a regular walker or runner, a local or a visitor, you're sure to enjoy yourself here!

The Cabane de l'Aoulhet is a popular destination for the inhabitants of Saint-Pé, located above the village in the heart of the Très-Croutz forest. Although it is a stop on many routes in the massif, it can also be a popular destination in itself, on the border between the sunny summer pastures and the mossy forest, with a remarkable view of the Montné cliffs, the steep-sided Génie Longue valley, the Picharrots cliffs and the other summer pastures of Prat du Rey.

A beautiful route linking Lourdes to Pau along an ancient Roman road steeped in history. The Henri IV trail stretches across the Hautes-Pyrénées and Pyrénées-Atlantiques departments, along the foothills of the Pyrenees.

This short family walk takes you to a cute little cave that is very accessible. Over the millennia, it has been home to all kinds of animals, as well as humans. All have left traces, few of which are visible to the naked eye, except for the bear dens and the paleontological excavation sites. What remains is the beautiful volume of this cave, surprising and rare in the region, and its location in the ever-mysterious forest of Très-Croutz.

An exceptional, challenging and demanding route through the Très-Croutz forest, first on the Gave de Pau side, with a brief detour to the Val d'Azun side at the Col d'Andorre, then on the plateau at 1,400 m, between the Col d'Espadres and the Saint-Pé ridge (Maletaule or Soums).Summer pastures with centuries of pastoral activity, at the crossroads of important local historical sites, including the famous Très Croutz (the Three Crosses of the Bigourdan bishoprics).

On the way there, exceptional views of the Ossau Valley and the Pyrenees mountain range. On the way back, you will pass through the small village of Bescat. The walk is then more shaded.

Circular route through the countryside and woods with beautiful views of the Pyrenees and a visit to the Sanctuary of Sainte-Quitterie. This saint, renowned in the south-west, has given her name to many springs and fountains reputed to be miraculous. This circular route mainly follows route no. 9 in the old booklet "32 walks and hikes in Miey de Béarn". Signs and markings (yellow lines) are in place for a good half of the route, but after that it becomes more uncertain.

Loop in the foothills of the Béarn Pyrenees. Beautiful view of the Bruges Nay plains and, further away, towards Pau. Although Ossau is not visible, Durban, Montdragon and Moulle de Jaut beckon, inviting us to climb them soon.

Short hike on the outskirts of Lourdes, in the Batsurguère valley. Above the charming village of Omex, there are isolated pastures in a natural basin, the source of the Moules stream. The pass is topped by the Soum of the same name and the Mail des Portes, the start of the beautiful Pernes ridge, towards the Soum du Montné, gateway to the Saint-Pé-de-Bigorre massif and the Très-Crouts forest.

Tour of the Cité Saint-Pierre via the Béout ridge, passing by the summit cross and the old cable car station with views of Lourdes, the Gave de Pau and the start of the Vallée des Gaves.This hike in a wild area, with little or no signposting and trails that are difficult to see in summer and overgrown with ferns (especially on the descent), makes it accessible only to "adventurers" over the age of 10 who are not afraid of discovering this little summit!

Short hike in the hills above Lourdes. The route is very quiet but well worth a look. It follows the northern ridge, which is the longest and has the greatest elevation gain. From the main summit at 791m, where a cross has been erected, there is a 360° view of the Lourdes region. From the second summit at 719m, there is a viewpoint with the old Béout cable car installation. A little further on is the entrance to the cave known as the "Gouffre de Lourdes", which is 82m deep.

This is a family hike in the Ossau Valley, south of the city of Pau, between the villages of Bescat and Sévignacq-Meyracq. Mainly through the woods, it leads to the Tos de la Courade (tos = watering hole) and then joins theGR®78via a well-maintained path, before returning to the starting point. It overlooks the Ossau Valley to the south and, in the second part of the walk, the plain of Pau.

This hike is not technically difficult but goes beyond the scope of a "Sunday stroll". Its appeal lies in reaching the pastoral summer pastures above the magnificent Batsurguère valley, at the gateway to Lourdes, and taking a break in a perfectly maintained refuge hut. To the west, you can see the Aguée valley, towards the Col d'Espadres. The place is quiet and superb. With a bit of luck, you will be in the company of horses roaming free on the grassy slopes of the pass.

An easy, rural circular from Sainte-Colome in the Ossau Valley, alternating between beautiful woodland paths and farm tracks, offering a wonderful introduction to the Béarn foothills and the pretty village of Sainte Colome. Marked with PR®, then VTT and then GR®78.

A classic family walk. A stunning view from the summit, from where, in good weather, you can see the Vignemale, the Pic du Midi de Bigorre, the Ardiden, etc. There are also lovely views towards Lourdes, Tarbes and Pau all along the ascent. The first section is through a well-shaded forest, whilst the second is more exposed. Bring a cap and water in summer. It is a shame, however, that the summit has been left to fall into disrepair, as the promontory is no longer accessible, nor is its orientation table.

This is an off-the-beaten-track hike that takes you up two small peaks near Lourdes.A good sense of direction is necessary for the climb to Pic du Jer. Do not undertake this hike in rainy weather.

Is it hot or grey? Here is a half-day forest trail that is perfect for children. However, avoid periods when it is too wet due to some slippery descents. At the top of the walk, you can enjoy a view of Arudy, and birds of prey are often visible. Above all, don't forget a torch to venture a little way into the cave. Opposite, the other cave, which is closed, contained prehistoric remains (on display at the Arudy museum).

A beautiful, easy circular path near the small village of Gez-ez-Angles, located a few kilometres from Lourdes. You will walk along an open ridge to the small summit of Aubuchous, where you can enjoy a wide panorama of the foothills and the Pyrenees mountain range, before returning to the village via a more wooded path.