Summit of Pouyaué

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Starting from the Col de Peyresourde, this is a demanding hike that takes place almost entirely along the ridge, offering magnificent views of the Larboust valley in the foreground and, beyond, the many peaks of over 3,000 metres in the Luchonnais.

Details

n°513427
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  • Snowshoeing
    Activity: Snowshoeing
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.79 km
  • ◔
    Duration according to the author: 4 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 704 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 712 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,056 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,563 m
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Photos

view of the Pyrenees
A beautiful winter landscape

Description of the walk

Park at Col de Peyresourde, in the small car park on the right-hand side of the road, just before the restaurant-bar, which is only open in the summer. The hike is not signposted, but the path is obvious.

(S/E) Head towards the restaurant and walk alongside it, continuing parallel to the road until you reach a metal barrier, which may be open or closed depending on the season, controlling access to a wide track. Go around it on the left if necessary. There is no need to take the road, as the highly zoomed IGN map suggests. Follow the route on the PDF.

The slope immediately becomes very steep and the track winds several times before levelling out along the edge of a small coniferous forest (metal fence on the right). Continue for about 100 metres on the flat.

(1) Leave the wide track and head north towards the first rounded ridge, which is the Sommet de Lampet. The slope is reasonable and allows you to walk in a straight line.

(2) Begin a short descent, following the ridge north-north-west. The climb to the second summit, Pic Arrouy, is much more difficult and requires zigzagging to overcome the very steep slope.

(3) Keep heading north. After a short descent, begin the ascent to the next summit, Cap de Hont Nère. The climb is very steep for the first third, but becomes gentler before reaching the summit, where a break may be very welcome after your efforts.

(4) Begin the descent to reach Porte de Lis, which is actually a very indented pass. Next comes the long climb to the summit of Pouyaué, which is done by keeping the same northward direction.
The slope, which is relatively accessible at the beginning, then becomes very steep. After passing a small plateau, tackle the final climb to reach the summit at an altitude of 2,062 metres.

(5) The location offers an almost 360° panorama and is perfect for a picnic. The numerous peaks of over 3,000 metres in the Luchonnais region stretch from west to east, with the Aneto, the highest point in the Pyrenees, in the background for the discerning eye.

Follow the same route to return to the Col de Peyresourde and the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,572 m - Car park at > - Col de Peyresourde
  2. 1 : km 1.45 - alt. 1,747 m - Climb on the left, heading north.
  3. 2 : km 1.77 - alt. 1,790 m - Sommet de Lampet (1804m)
  4. 3 : km 2.28 - alt. 1,831 m - Pic Arrouy (1850m)
  5. 4 : km 3.15 - alt. 1,905 m - Cap de Hont Nère
  6. 5 : km 4.89 - alt. 2,056 m - Sommet de Pouyaué (2062m)
  7. S/E : km 9.79 - alt. 1,572 m - Col de Peyresourde, car park

Notes

Before setting out on this hike, check the accessibility of the Col de Peyresourde so you can take any special equipment you may need.

This snowshoe hike is rated as difficult despite its average distance. The going is tough with several very steep climbs alternating with short descents. Good training and physical fitness are essential.

The climbs leading to Pic Arrouy and then Cap de Hont Nère, as well as the first third of the ascent to the summit of Pouyaué, are difficult to tackle in a straight line. The zigzag route allows you to pace yourself better, but everyone should adapt their route to their physical condition.

In the event of heavy snowfall, unstable cornices may be encountered, particularly at Pic Arrouy and Cap de Hont Nère. In this case, care must be taken to stay well away from the ridge on the western side.

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 6 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Andrades
Andrades

Hello, for hikers who regularly go snowshoeing.

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RAND19
RAND19
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 07, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It's always a pleasure to go on this hike with its superb view of the 3,000-metre peaks of Luchon.
Did this today without any special equipment, on a light dusting of snow from Pic Arrouy.

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M de Colomiers
M de Colomiers

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 17, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed on a sunny day, wearing snowshoes. Magnificent scenery over the Luchon massif. Envied the few ski tourers we met who were able to enjoy themselves in wide open spaces covered in good snow.
Highly recommended.

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martial33
martial33

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A challenging hike but with magnificent scenery.

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lebas Marie Claude
lebas Marie Claude

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

unglasses (love)

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GL65
GL65

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 30, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

To end 2018 and breathe in the air of our Pyrenees, without snow for the holidays, we chose this easy hike.
Sunshine, a 360° panorama, a few walkers without proper equipment, and if you continue along the ridges, you will only meet true hikers who respect nature.
On the way back, we chose to avoid the climb and cut across the "montagnettes" on the south side.
This hike can be done in all seasons on foot, with snowshoes or touring skis.

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Betty P
Betty P

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We really enjoyed this hike, even though we did it in summer and adapted it to suit us on the way back (a small route in the shape of two 8s) because without snowshoes, we could cut across the mountain instead of climbing the peaks again. With views stretching as far as the eye could see in such beautiful weather, it was a real treat and a great pleasure! We reached the top of Pic de Pouyaué after a leisurely three-hour hike, stopping frequently to admire the view, take photos, have a drink, etc. After a picnic at Pic de Pouyaué (not far from its beautiful geodetic marker dating from 1949), facing all these great Pyrenean peaks, we headed back west to the viewpoint above Loudenvielle and its lake. A very easy walk in the grass. Then we returned to the trail, which we crossed at Porte de Lis. This allowed us to avoid climbing back up to Cap de Hont Nère. (But from here and once off the trail: a few difficult "off-piste" passages!) We found the trail again, then lost it again to avoid Mont Arrouy, finally found it again and stayed on it for the last 200 metres to the summit of Lampet and its beautiful rain gauge. A great hike with magnificent views, which we also recommend in summer! A big thank you for all your hiking ideas and advice!!! We love it!!!

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