Picq de Burcq and Col de Pau via the Col du Saoubathou

de fr

Climb up, crossing the valley, and arrive at the pasture plateaus to fully enjoy the mountains and the landscape. Hike done in early July, wild irises are present and form magnificent blue fields. You may encounter chamois or marmots and, of course, herds of horses, sheep and cows.

Details

n°79003925
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
–
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 22.93 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 9h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,142 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,146 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,062 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 994 m
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

Iris
Summer pastures
Panorama
Summer pastures

Description of the walk

Park in the car park near the Lhers lodge.

(S/E) Take the road on foot to the Aumet car park.

(1) Pass the car park and continue to the Cabane de Pourcibo.

(2) Continue along the track that ends in front of the Cabane det Caillau. It is a little longer than the trail marked on the maps, but the slope is less steep, making it easier.

(3) Leave the track and follow the sign for Lac d'Arlet on the right: the real climb begins here. You will reach a crossroads with another signpost.

(4) Turn right, continuing to follow the signs for Lac d'Arlet: you may see marmots, chamois and even vultures. You will reach a fork in the path, just before arriving at the Col de Saoubathou: signpost.

(5) Keep right, heading towards Col de Pau, on an easy path that runs along the ridge, whereyou can see beautiful summer pastures and peaceful herds. You will reach Col de la Cuarde.

(6) Go up a short climb and continue straight ahead towards the Col de Burcq: fields of wild irises depending on the season. Reach the Col de Burcq.

(7) Take the path on the right to go around the Pic de Burcq, without descending on the Spanish side. Reach the Col de Pau.

(8) Begin the descent on the French side towards the Cabane de Bonaris.

(9) Take a break at the hut, which is very pretty and busy in summer: you can buy cheese and, most importantly, fill up with water. Then continue the descent on a fairly wide path. Pass near the huts of Le Pénot, then Itchaxe.

(10) Cross the stream via the small bridge and cool off if necessary: pleasant descent. You will reach a fork in the path.

(11) Take the path on the left rather than the one on the right, which leads to the same place but involves crossing brambles.

(12) Cross the Labrenère footbridge: signpost "Lhers 5.6 km". Take this direction, following an easy path through the undergrowth, with a few significant climbs.

(13) Ignore the footbridge on the left and continue straight ahead. You will reach a crossroads.

(14) Turn right towards Lhers onto a wide, easy path, which will take you to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,009 m - Parking
  2. 1 : km 2.54 - alt. 1,149 m - Aumet car park
  3. 2 : km 4.25 - alt. 1,342 m - Pourcibo hut
  4. 3 : km 5.22 - alt. 1,451 m - Cabane det Caillau
  5. 4 : km 6.01 - alt. 1,606 m - Col de Saoubathou sign
  6. 5 : km 7.6 - alt. 1,934 m - Col de Pau sign - Col de Saoubathoù
  7. 6 : km 9.76 - alt. 1,956 m - Col de la Cuarde and freedom trails - Col de la Cuarde (1957 m)
  8. 7 : km 11.1 - alt. 2,045 m - Col de Burcq - Col de Burcq (2063 m)
  9. 8 : km 12.22 - alt. 1,942 m - Col de Pau - Col de Pau
  10. 9 : km 13.58 - alt. 1,698 m - Bonaris hut - Cabane de Bonaris (1710 m)
  11. 10 : km 15.61 - alt. 1,329 m - Labrenère stream
  12. 11 : km 17.18 - alt. 1,123 m - Fork in the road, turn left
  13. 12 : km 17.46 - alt. 1,126 m - Signpost for Lhers
  14. 13 : km 20.32 - alt. 1,026 m - Footbridge
  15. 14 : km 20.86 - alt. 1,019 m - Crossroads
  16. S/E : km 22.93 - alt. 1,006 m - Parking

Notes

The only water source is at the Bonaris hut (9) after 13 km of walking.

Hike with no shade except from (12) to (S/E).

Bring a hat or cap.

The hike is well marked.

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Other walks in the area

Walking Col de Pau and Col de Burcq

Visorando member
↔13.68 km ↗+1,004 m ↘-1,004 m ◔6h 45 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Lescun (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
A magnificent hike from Lescun, yet relatively unknown. There are magnificent views all along the way. Herds of chamois are frequently seen between the Col de Pau and the Col de Burg.Although this hike is challenging due to the elevation gain, it is not overly difficult. You can stop at the Cabane de Bonaris or the Col de Pau if you start to feel tired. If you are very fit, you can extend the hike by climbing the surrounding peaks or even reaching the Refuge d'Arlet.

Walking Pic Labigouer from Lhers

Visorando member
Pic Labigouer depuis Lhers
↔15.83 km ↗+1,211 m ↘-1,214 m ◔8h 00 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Accous (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
The main attraction of this hike is the easy ridge walk, when there is no snow, from the Col de Souperet to the Col de la Nabe. The 360° view stretches from Bedous to the Cirque de Lescun, Ossau, Balaïtous and beyond. In summer, there are numerous herds of sheep, and shepherds make the famous sheep's cheese in their huts. Keep your eyes peeled, as chamois are not uncommon. Set off early to enjoy the shade on the way up. See practical information.

Walking Sanchèse Plateau

Visorando member
↔5.52 km ↗+125 m ↘-117 m ◔1h 55 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Lescun (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
An easy hike that can be done at any time of day with the family

Walking Cabanes and Lac de Lhurs from La Borde d'Anapia

Visorando member
Cabanes et Lac de Lhurs depuis la Borde d'Anapia
↔11.59 km ↗+799 m ↘-791 m ◔5h 35 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Lescun (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
This hike allows you to discover Lake Lhurs and its huts, nestled in a mineral cirque with the jagged Ansabère area in the background.

Walking On the Way of St James, between Etsaut and Urdos

Visorando member
Sur le Chemin de Compostelle, entre Etsaut et Urdos
↔4.67 km ↗+246 m ↘-126 m ◔2h 00 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Etsaut (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
The work carried out by the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department and the Haut-Béarn community of municipalities to facilitate access to the Fort du Portalet, as well as the route through the upper Aspe valley for hikers and pilgrims (GR®65), has been completed and now allows visitors to discover this exceptional site in the best conditions of visibility and safety. Let's make the most of it!

Walking Towards the Pédaing hut (revised version)

Visorando member
Vers la Cabane de Pédaing (version révisée)
↔8.77 km ↗+823 m ↘-823 m ◔4h 50 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Cette-Eygun (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
A gradual climb before joining the "classic" Narbèze path, passing through the pretty Pédaing valley, at the cost of a difficult moment! Please note: following the GPX track is very useful for this route (as are walking sticks).

Walking Towards the Narbèze hut

Visorando member
Vers la Cabane de Narbèze
↔12.40 km ↗+1,048 m ↘-1,048 m ◔6h 30 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Cette-Eygun (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
There is a fairly steep climb from Cette to the summer pastures above the village. The effort is well worth it, as the location and the view of the flocks of sheep on the grassy slopes are magnificent.To avoid the effect of going back the same way, we suggest two alternative routes to make the return journey more enjoyable.

Walking Pic de Narbissat via Les Muralhetas

Visorando member
Pic de Narbissat par les Muralhetas
↔6.95 km ↗+613 m ↘-610 m ◔3h 45 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Cette-Eygun (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
A circular loop offering an original viewpoint over the centre of the Aspe Valley and the Bedous Valley, with a variant circular on a marked path. The Pic de Narbissat is a key geological observation point, located where the Iberian tectonic plate slides under the Eurasian plate. It is also a good vantage point for viewing the surrounding mountains.

For more walks, use our search engine .

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