Pic du Néouvielle from Lac d'Aubert - Return trip via the normal route

The road to the starting point at Lac d'Aubert is subject to tolls, with a price per hour and a maximum charge of £9 (as of June 2025 for approximately 20 hours = 9 hours).
Park in the car park at the end of the road, about 100 metres from the lake shore.
If necessary, the bivouac area is located just below the dam wall. It can only be reached on foot.

(S/E) From the car park, head towards the lake, go through a wooden barrier and continue along the track to the dam wall. Cross over the top of the dam to the other side, to the west.
Then take a path marked by cairns heading south-west, through the Montagnes des Laquettes. It reaches a crossroads.

(1) Leave the trail leading to Pas du Gat on your left and continue right towards Néouvielle. The trail remains clearly visible and well marked, but the climb becomes steep, through granite boulders, as you approach the north-eastern end of the Barris d'Aubert ridge that separates the two valleys.

(2) Cross the Brèche de Barris d'Aubert (IGN elevation 2439). The route heads west-northwest towards the Crête d'Espade, aiming for the Brèche de Chausenque, which is clearly visible in the middle of the landscape.
Depending on snow conditions, it is recommended to use crampons to cross the persistent snowfields.
Far below the breach, the route turns left to the west and then south-west to reach the Anciens Glaciers du Néouvielle area.

(3) Then climb southwards until you reach large boulders: you will need to use your hands frequently. Numerous cairns show the direction (and can be useful in addition to the GPS track in case of fog). You will arrive at the north-east ridge of the peak, 100 m below the summit.
Continue the final ascent with an easy climb up a narrow chimney. Reach the summit ridge, then the summit of Pic de Néouvielle or Pic d'Aubert (IGN elevation 3091).

(4) After a well-deserved break at the summit, take roughly the same route back down. Reach the dam, then the car park (S/E).

The description is for a mid-winter, mid-summer hike completed by two people at the end of June 2025. There was a very large snowfield between (2) and (4).
In winter, only attempt this route if you are highly skilled at snowshoeing or ski touring.

Parking at the start
At an altitude of 2,158 m (Lac d'Aubert), there is an official car park, marked on road maps. Payment is made at the Lac d'Orédon toll gate on the way back, using credit card terminals. There is a contactless payment sensor that also works with mobile phones.

Time indicated
I completed this route in 6 hours, including a 1-hour break at the summit and photo stops, leaving the car park at 7 a.m. This is a fairly short time. Allow between 6 and 8 hours.

Difficulty
This hike is classified as "Difficult" (although Visorando recommends "Medium") due to the significant elevation gain over a short distance and the presence of very steep sections between (2) and(4) (15% of the uphill route is between 30% and 55% gradient) and a little exposed at the end, the partial lack of signposting, and the high mountain conditions. This is a challenging route, reserved for experienced mountaineers.

• TheIBP index is 129 HKG, which corresponds to a Very Difficult route for a hiker with average physical fitness.
• Please note that shortly before the summit (4), the trail takes a short, easy climbing passage where you will need to use your hands for 50 metres of elevation gain.

Water
There are no drinking water sources along the route.
In spring and summer, meltwater from snowfields, springs, lakes, rivers or runoff is not guaranteed to be drinkable, even if there are no grazing animals in the area. Bring at least 1.5 litres per person.

Shelter
There is no shelter on the route.

Equipment
In summer, bring the usual equipment for high-altitude hiking, including hiking boots, suitable clothing, rainwear, water, food, a survival blanket, a knife, a compass, a map, a whistle, sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen.

Visitor
During spring and summer weekends, the trail is very busy all the way to the summit.
Whatever the season, don't forget to tell someone where you are going and let them know if you change your plans by text or phone.

Check the weather forecast.
If you notice any errors in the signposting or place names on your route or on the map you are using, you can become a contributor and report them:
- signposting errors, safety issues, conflicts of use, environment: click here.
- mapping errors, place names: click here.

Place names

• The word Néouvielle comes from Nèu vielha, composed of nèu meaning "snowfield" and vielha meaning "old, ancient". The northern and western slopes of Néouvielle used to feature three small glaciers, which have now almost disappeared, and snowfields. The Nèu Bielhe mountain is a high-altitude pasture area in Betpouey, in the Barèges valley.
• the Lac d'Aubert means "green water" (colour);
• the Lac d'Aumar means "sea water" (colour);
• Cap de Long lake includes the former natural lake of Cap de Long, which means "the head (of the valley) of the (peak) Long".
  Source: Wikipedia

Néouvielle Regional Reserve

The Néouvielle National Nature Reserve (RNN4) is a national nature reserve located in the Occitanie region. Created in 1935 and classified in 1968, it covers an area of 2,313 hectares to the north-east of the Pic de Néouvielle in the Pyrenees mountain range. Ranging in altitude from 1,800 to 3,091 metres, it is a site rich in flora and fauna. It is home to nearly 370 animal species and 570 species of algae.
See the Reserve's website