Refuge de Bassiès via Port de Saleix

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A magnificent hike through varied landscapes along the entire route. The climb to Port de Bassiès is steady and not too difficult. Unfortunately, there is a 280 m descent to the refuge, which you will have to climb back up.
Take advantage of the view of the lakes and the Pique Rouge cirque to rest for a while.

Details

n°8660574
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.42 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 816 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 810 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,932 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,398 m
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Description of the walk

From Saint-Girons, take the D618 for 12 km. Then follow the signs for Seix and then Aulus-les-Bains. Park 6 km further on, after a series of hairpin bends at the edge of the forest, in the Coumebière car park on the left or on the hard shoulder on the right-hand side of the road.

Directional signs.

(S/E) Cross the road and follow theGR® 10 (red and white markings) to Port de Saleix. Climb through the meadows of the Coumebière plateau to quickly reach the first crossroads (altitude 1442).

(1) Leave the paths leading to barns on your right and continue on theGR® 10 until you reach a crossroads (altitude 1552).

(2) You can shorten the route by taking a path on the right. Take theGR®10, which continues north on the left. This path climbs more gently in wide loops to the Port de Saleix (altitude 1793).

(3) Continue on theGR® 10, which heads due south, and reach the Alate lake (altitude 1869) after a steep climb.

(4) Follow the path that leads away from the lake towards the south-east to reach Port de Bassiès (altitude 1935).

(5) Descend southwards, continuing to follow theGR® 10 to the Refuge de Bassiès (altitude 1654).

(6) Magnificent view below of the ponds a few hundred metres away, which can also be reached from Auzat.

The return journey is via the same route back to the Coumebière car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,398 m - Coumebière car park
  2. 1 : km 0.42 - alt. 1,440 m - Crossroads. Elevation 1442
  3. 2 : km 1.37 - alt. 1,547 m - Elevation 1552, on the left
  4. 3 : km 3.35 - alt. 1,792 m - Port de Saleix (1794m)
  5. 4 : km 3.94 - alt. 1,867 m - Etang d'Alate
  6. 5 : km 4.66 - alt. 1,932 m - Port de Bassiès (1933m)
  7. 6 : km 5.68 - alt. 1,647 m - Refuge de Bassiès
  8. S/E : km 11.42 - alt. 1,398 m - Coumebière car park

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

4.6 / 5
Based on 7 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
Mch79
Mch79
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike. Easy route in the first part up to the lake. More difficult in the second part, which climbs quite steeply over rocks. The view of the lakes is magnificent. The return from the refuge is quite difficult. Be careful because it is hot as there is no shade. The pleasure is seeing beautiful ibex.

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mica 69
mica 69

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike through mountain pastures and scree slopes. Not particularly difficult, but best avoided in the heat of the day as there is little shade along the route.

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Floren
Floren

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike. The scenery is magnificent.

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LA31
LA31

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike undertaken in torrential rain in the direction of Coumebières/Étang
Dangerous areas on the climb before the Saleix pass, as the path has been washed away by the rain and there are slippery rocks on a steep section.
The descent to the Bassies refuge is difficult because it is poorly marked and you tend to go straight down when there are no markings.

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xrocca
xrocca

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike with a superb view at the Port de Bassiès over the lakes and the Cirque du Pique Rouge, still covered in snow at the end of May.
Although we cross a pass at the Saleix pass, the climb continues. In fact, you have to take the GR10 trail that climbs to the left (heading due south, as clearly indicated in the description).

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Spout
Spout

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A superb hike, the surroundings and landscapes are magnificent, and the location is very relaxing.
As a professional photographer with an eye on the weather, my goal was to do this hike in a misty atmosphere, and I got more than I bargained for! But what an atmosphere! If you want a glimpse of what awaits you, you can see it here: https://youtu.be/4U9DRihTz5k

Enjoy your hike!!!
Sebastien

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hugogau
hugogau

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

well

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