Ilhéou refuge

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Short 2-hour hike to the Ilhéou refuge (not forgetting the return trip).

Details

n°1400685
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.27 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,054 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,054 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 6,499 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4,446 ft
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Photos

Ilhéou Lake
vultures around a carcass
Lake Ilheou
return from Lac Bleu or Lac d'Ilhéou

Description of the walk

At the Cauterets exit, take the Pont d'Espagne road, the D920, and turn right onto the Cambasque road, the D312W. Park in the car park after crossing the Gave de Cambasque.

(S/E) From the car park, take the track towards the cable car facilities. Continue climbing along this track on the left bank of the river.

(1) Cross a bridge over the Gave d'Ilhéou. Continue climbing on the right bank. Go around the mountain on the left. Halfway up, you will see the waterfall at the bottom on your right.

(2) Arrive at the Ilhéou waterfalls. Be careful if you approach them. Continue climbing.

(3) Cross the Gave d'Ilhéou again and continue climbing. When you see the first small lake, you are almost there. Follow theGR®10markings. Pass above Lac Noir on your right. Follow the track to the refuge and enjoy the view of the lake. You can have a bite to eat and a drink at the refuge (the owner is very friendly).

(4) For the descent, take the path in the opposite direction to the starting point (S/E).
Or: see practical information.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 4,446 ft - Cabasque car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.8 - alt. 4,888 ft - Bridge over the Gave d'Ilhéou
  3. 2 : mi 1.75 - alt. 5,610 ft - Ilhéou waterfalls.
  4. 3 : mi 2.29 - alt. 6,004 ft - 2nd crossing of the Gave d'Ilhéo
  5. 4 : mi 3.13 - alt. 6,499 ft - Refuge d'Ilhéou
  6. S/E : mi 6.27 - alt. 4,446 ft - Cabasque car park

Notes

You can stay overnight at the refuge if you book in advance.

You can continue the climb to other refuges.

Option to descend via theGR®10to (1) and resume the trail to the finish.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 21 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
User 29242214

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 04, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk along the path – the lake is stunning
Marmots, ibex – everything you need for a great time ☺️👍

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Britanicus100
Britanicus100

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The hike was rounded off with a climb up Turc Arrouy for its spectacular bird's-eye view of the lake. I made a 4K video with the names of the peaks, which captures the atmosphere of the hike and shows our route.
It's herehttps://youtu.be/YiejTo53Jss?si=EkhlTnNV...

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CLODO
CLODO

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Classic hike with no particular difficulties to reach the blue lake of Ilhéou

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Philippe T
Philippe T

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike in the sunshine with magnificent scenery.
A beautiful waterfall and, at the end, a lovely lake and refuge, which were quite busy for the season.

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clcyrot
clcyrot
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike, leading to Lake Ilhéou and the Ilhéou refuge in about two hours at a leisurely pace.
I recommend taking the GR10 trail (after point 1). The climb is steeper (the GR cuts across) but more scenic and... less crowded! Some sections are quite steep, but easier going uphill. You can see the waterfall (worth a detour) on the way down.

Alternative: once at the refuge, continue on to the Ilhéou pass (less than an hour from the lake). For the descent, the easiest route is to return via the lake.

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User 21516559

Just a quick note to say thank you: I often use Visorando's services and information and am really very satisfied. Many thanks. Have a great day!

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PATRICE31800
PATRICE31800

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello everyone. We went hiking in beautiful warm weather. It was a lovely hike with a gradual but steady climb (no false flats to catch your breath) to the lake and refuge. Beautiful views around the lake and the surrounding peaks. We returned via the GR10 to avoid the monotony of the trail. There were lots of different flowers along the way, as well as a few marmots. Thanks for sharing.

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User 25786325

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

the climb after the waterfall is quite tough. The GR 10 trail hurts your calves!!! The view is superb, and as for the wildlife: chamois, marmots, ibex... it's sublime!

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Al49
Al49

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

An easy hike offering beautiful scenery. The trail up to the lake is south-facing and has no shade, so it's best to set off early. The view of the lake and refuge is superb. From 11am onwards, the lake's shores become a leisure spot populated by bathers who clearly prefer their beach towels to the IGN map. Some even go so far as to bathe their dogs, which is prohibited according to the park regulations, despite the clear signage. Dog poo in the middle of the path... We came back down before noon and won't be going back in August! The descent via the GR10 is very steep with some tricky sections in the first part. Make sure you wear good shoes.

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Guizmo91
Guizmo91

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike! The path is as rocky as the GR trail. It is quite busy and there is no shade. The arrival at the lake is magical. It is very beautiful. The refuge is nice and allows you to eat and rest.

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mes randos michel
mes randos michel

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

Hike completed in beautiful weather, without difficulty
taking the GR trail is not particularly interesting; it is easier to follow the 4x4 track, where you can walk side by side chatting and it is just as quick and easier.

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RANDO65
RANDO65

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed in glorious weather, without any particular difficulties. The lake was a beautiful colour.

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jeremygnon
jeremygnon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The hike is magnificent, with an easy and gentle climb all the way.
It's a shame that the sheep are so aggressive and attacked our dog, who was on a lead at our feet. It was very frightening and we had to intervene. We weren't even near the flock..
We notified the police, who were apparently not surprised. There is apparently a shepherd on this site who completely neglects his dogs, and they have been causing problems for several years now.

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Tyty65
Tyty65

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful course, no difficulty

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PhilippeduSud
PhilippeduSud

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant hike. Not too many trees, with rocky and grassy scenery. Accessible to all, but some basic mountain knowledge is required. A minimum amount of equipment is necessary. Low temperatures and fog or wind are possible at 2,000 metres.
It is possible to cut across the GR via rocky scree slopes, but this is dangerous if you are not wearing the right footwear, especially on the descent, as we unfortunately saw with a young couple and two small children...

Refuge overlooking the lake. Very friendly welcome.
I recommend this outing

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