Pic de Néouvielle via the Refuge de la Glère

(DA) The start is at the bottom of the Glère valley. The path is very stony, but passable with all-terrain tyres.
You can choose between the yellow-marked path or the track suitable for vehicles.

(1) After about an hour’s walk along the track, you’ll reach the Refuge de la Glère.
To avoid having to walk a few dozen metres further up to the refuge, it’s best to finish on the footpath.

(2) The path skirts around Lac de la Glère on the left. You’ll need to walk right alongside the water to avoid the large rockfall.
Beyond the first ledge, the path continues along a virtually flat section to Lac de Mounicot. You then reach the stream, which you follow to Lac de la Mourèle.

(3) You then walk until you come to a concrete culvert. Follow it along to the sluice gate

(4) Continue along the stream. This section is quite pleasant but very long.

(5) Once you reach the first large scree slope, things get trickier. Follow the cairns and keep to the left where the boulders are slightly smaller.

(6) Danger! The scree slope turns into a loose rock field where all the stones are very unstable. Keep as far to the outside as possible to avoid the risk of being hit by a falling stone.
Note: Keep an eye on those above you and warn those following behind. It’s best to be on your own on this section, which is about a hundred metres long.
Once past the first ledge, the rocks are stable. Put on your crampons to cross the snowfields.

(7) About thirty metres from the Chausenque gap, the terrain becomes less stable again.
Once past the breach, if the snow is good, you can carefully traverse the snow slope with crampons. The slope is steep, but this avoids having to descend too far to rejoin the Aubert route

(8). Then ascend in zigzags on the snow as far as possible.

(9) Finish with a section where you’ll need to use your hands.
You can then enjoy the view from the summit, which isn’t quite a full 360° due to the presence of the Pic des Trois Conseillers. To the north, you can see the Pic du Midi de Bigorre. To its right, clearly visible, is the Arbizon. Further to its right, above Lac de Cap de Long, in the distance (>30 km), is the Posets. Continuing beyond the Trois Conseillers, you can see the Taillon. Then, in the distance, the Vignemale with its glacier. And the Balaïtous just to its right, in the distance.
The return journey follows the same route back to the grassy car park by the stream (S/E).

Regulations concerning the Néouvielle National Nature Reserve:
• Dogs are not permitted in the core zone of the Pyrenees National Park, even when kept on a lead
• Dog boarding facilities – enquiries at Aragnouet Town Hall – Tel: 05 62 39 62 63
• No fires, to prevent wildfires and soil damage
• Please keep quiet to preserve the peace and tranquillity of the area
• Please bring bin bags with you to carry your rubbish back down
• No picking or collecting of plants, minerals or fossils is permitted
• Capturing animals is prohibited
• Regulated camping is permitted more than an hour’s walk from a road access point, between 7.00 pm and 9.00 am
• No camping or motorhome parking overnight to preserve the beauty of the sites and prevent pollution
• Hunting and fishing are prohibited

• Crampons are essential. If you don’t have any, a large sports shop on the main square in Luz-Saint-Sauveur has them for hire.
• Numerous sections over scree and snowfields require good, waterproof hiking boots with a stiff, grippy sole (such as Vibram).
• Do not underestimate the amount of water you need to take with you: 2.5 litres seems to be the minimum. The Refuge de la Glère has a water supply in case of need.
• Waterproof or water-repellent trousers (and/or gaiters) are useful on snow.