Port de Bielsa

This is a fairly short hike with a moderate elevation gain. It is still enjoyable and spectacular at the end. The Port de Bielsa is reminiscent of a miniature version of the Brèche de Roland (in the Pyrenees). It can be seen from several places along the road that takes you to the start. Once you reach the other side, the view of the valley and the Sierra Pelada is magnificent.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.21 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 607 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 607 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,425 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,818 m

Photos

Description of the walk

From Lannemezan, take the D 929 towards Arreau, Saint Lary and Spain. After Aragnouet, continue to the Bielsa tunnel. Park on the left of the tunnel entrance in the car park.

(S/E) Pass to the left of the buildings. Find the start of a path, marked with yellow signs. Very quickly, you will come to a small passage where you will need to use your hands. No difficulty.

(1) Once you have passed this single point on the hike where you need to use your hands, continue following the yellow markings to the Riou Nère waterfall on the other side of the stream on the left.

(2) The path, still marked, continues to climb through pastures interspersed with rocky areas until you reach the Port de Bataillence junction.

(3) Leave the yellow markings that go to the left and continue on a path that heads south. This path is clearly visible, continues to climb and, after several hairpin bends, approaches a scree slope.

(4) The path that climbs through the middle of the scree is clearly visible and easy to follow, with stable rocks. It then winds its way through several hairpin bends between the rocky blocks and, after a final stretch, arrives at a small gap overlooking Spain (altitude 2429).

(5) The landscape is completely different on this southern slope. The view of the valley below is magnificent and very green.
The spectacle is even more striking if you have climbed in foggy conditions. What could have been a disappointment turns out to be a reward with this clear, sunny view. Sometimes it can be the opposite.
The return journey is along the same route back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,818 m - Car park at the entrance to the Bielsa Tunnel
  2. 1 : km 0.21 - alt. 1,843 m - Short narrow passage
  3. 2 : km 0.58 - alt. 1,951 m - Waterfall
  4. 3 : km 1.8 - alt. 2,243 m - Port de Bataillence junction
  5. 4 : km 2.46 - alt. 2,386 m - Pierrier
  6. 5 : km 2.6 - alt. 2,424 m - Port de Bielsa
  7. S/E : km 5.21 - alt. 1,818 m - Car park at the entrance to the Bielsa Tunnel

Worth a visit

(3) On the way back, you can go to Port de Bataillance. This is not difficult; just follow the yellow markings. From the pass, there is a beautiful view overlooking Lake Héchempy.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 11 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
sosovroum16
sosovroum16

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike in May, with snowfields at the bottom of the breach, so crampons, ice axe and helmet are mandatory! This hike is not recommended in winter (due to avalanche risk). Shortly after setting off, you will need to use your hands on a short section (caution advised for those prone to vertigo). Take care in wet weather as the rock can be slippery. The rest of the hike is easy with beautiful views and waterfalls.

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danielfr40
danielfr40

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Unfortunately, the hike was foggy except at the beginning and on the Spanish side.
I love the stream we follow at the start and its wonderful waterfalls.
The hike was made difficult by the snow, but the final climb went well despite everything.
The breach is fun, then there's a view of the Bielsa valley.
Thank you for the route and explanations.

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Wild
Wild

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We attempted this hike on 2 February 2024 because there was very little snow in the Pyrenees. However, we had to give up shortly after the waterfall because the path had disappeared under the snow and we didn't have the necessary equipment. The start of the climb is still quite steep.

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mc24500
mc24500

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It's uphill all the way, but the reward is at the top. A beautiful hike.

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Cobione
Cobione

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike, but more difficult than it looks.
The view at the end is magnificent.

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fabrice 31
fabrice 31

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Accurate description. It's quite a steep climb, but if you take it slowly, it's very pleasant, between the grasslands and waterfalls. Lots of blueberries and a few raspberries available. A wonderful experience.

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bodu
bodu

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

An easy hike, done in the morning to avoid the unusually high temperatures at this altitude (over 30°C at 2 p.m. at the starting/ending point, at 1,780 m). Very easy to follow thanks to a clearly visible trail and yellow markings. We went from Port de Bataillence to Port de Bielsa. The view from the pass is truly splendid, and the current drought has not dried up the streams that feed the waterfalls.

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69Martine57
69Martine57

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 25, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant, easy hike along a magnificent waterfall. Unfortunately for us, we arrived under cloudy skies with a very limited view.

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stephanelevasseur
stephanelevasseur

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 02, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A great hike that's easy to access and motivating for children: "Today we're going to Spain like smugglers!"
Beautiful scenery and a lovely surprise when you pass the port. The south side is truly amazing! It makes you want to go down there. For us, there was wind and clouds on the Spanish side, so the light and scenery were constantly changing. Truly magnificent. We set off to return via Port Vieux, but the ridges were very foggy, so we came back down the same way we came.

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Valerie64330
Valerie64330

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely little walk, accessible to many.
Superb view at the French-Spanish border.

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noones77
noones77

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Most hikers head towards the port of Bataillence. It is interesting to do both, starting with Bielsa, whose path is a little steeper.

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