Mont Né refuge

Park at the entrance to the village of Bourg d’Oueil on the side of the D51 (a few spaces available).

(S/E) Turn left and follow the narrow road through the village (west-north-west), following the signs for Port de Pierrefite. On leaving the village, veer slightly to the right and head up a cul-de-sac. When you reach a garage, take the track on the right heading due east. 200 metres further on, at a bend, there is a drinking trough. Take the hairpin bend to the left and follow this well-marked path.

(1) At the fork (1,410m), take the path on the left which crosses a stream via a small bridge 15m further on. The path climbs west-north-west through an open valley, at the end of which you can clearly see the Port de Pierrefite.

(2) At the junction, turn right towards the pass.

(3) Port de Pierrefite (1855m), with a magnificent cromlech on the site. Turn right onto the level track heading north-east and continue for about 1km to reach the Mont Né refuge.

(4) From the refuge, do not take the track but turn right and descend along the valley floor, on the left bank of the stream, heading for a clearly visible hairpin bend on the Port de Bales road.

(5) 50m before the road, turn onto a dirt track just below it, which descends parallel to the road. Pass a track on your left, go past two lovely hairpin bends and reach the junction (1410m).

(1) Carry on straight ahead and follow the ascent route in the opposite direction back to the car park (S/E)

The Mont Né refuge is very comfortable and provides a chance to top up your water supplies.
Snow conditions on the road to Bourg d’Oueil are displayed on Inforoute31.
It is forbidden to drive up to Port de Balès in winter from either side. The road is, in fact, impassable.

It is possible to climb to the summit of Mont Né from the Port de Pierrefite, which adds 1 hour 45 minutes to the journey. You will then descend directly to the Mont Né refuge.

The Mont Né refuge was rebuilt during the summer of 2015 and features a fireplace, latrines, a water tap, a table and a bench… It is open at all times (only the left-hand half; the other half is reserved for the shepherd). Ideal for a lunch break.