The iron-laden springs of the Moudang Valley

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Beautiful hike in the Moudang Valley to the iron-laden springs of the Source ferrugineuse de la Reine.

Details

n°37391895
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.23 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 630 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 631 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,689 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,058 m
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Photos

Ferruginous water source
Sign
Barns
Source

Description of the walk

Start: From Saint-Lary-Soulan, Tramezaïgue, before Aragnouet, park in the Pont de Moudang car park (D929).

(S/E) Take the path opposite the Parc Aventure and follow the Neste de Moudang river on its left bank.

(1) Continue uphill due south to reach the confluence with the Ruisseau de Pales.

(2) Continue uphill into a clearing at the entrance to the Vallée du Moudang.

(3) On a flatter path, reach the Granges du Moudang.

(4) Continue along the banks of the stream to reach a valley junction with the Ruisseau de la Cau de Tos.

(5) Stay on the left bank of the Neste de Moudang to reach the Source ferrugineuse de la Reine.
An added bonus here: you can climb up to the left and into the mountainside to see the entrance to the well-preserved old iron-ore mines.

(6) Follow the same path in the opposite direction back to the Moudang bridge car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,059 m - Moudang bridge car park. Close to the - Neste (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 1 - alt. 1,194 m - Along the - Neste du Moudang (ruisseau) - Affluent de la Neste d'Aure
  3. 2 : km 2.7 - alt. 1,395 m - Confluence of the Ruisseau de Pales
  4. 3 : km 3.7 - alt. 1,463 m - Moudang Valley
  5. 4 : km 5.22 - alt. 1,534 m - Plateau des Granges de Moudang
  6. 5 : km 5.64 - alt. 1,575 m - Cau de Tos stream
  7. 6 : km 6.61 - alt. 1,689 m - Iron source
  8. S/E : km 13.23 - alt. 1,058 m - Moudang bridge car park

Notes

Start: From Saint-Lary-Soulan, Tramezaïgue, before Aragnouet, park in the Pont de Moudang car park (D929).

Worth a visit

(4) Granges du Moudang: you can already see the presence of iron in the stream. Caution here__ , the barns are private, do not cross the fences, springs and mines.
(6) Les Sources de la Reine consists of five springs, two of which have been privatized since the 19th century. These springs have been analyzed. The results defined the water as ferruginous and with therapeutic properties (mainly to combat anemia). source Wikipedia

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 10 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
SAD32
SAD32

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A hike suitable for everyone, on a wide trail leading to the barns. The trail narrows thereafter to reach the iron-rich springs. No difficulty and a good walk to kick off the hiking season. Very beautiful scenery.

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User 26638400

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike, easy until you reach the barns. A little more difficult after that, but still doable.
Beautiful view and peaceful.
Nice spot for a picnic.

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derkot
derkot

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Family hike to discover beautiful renovated barns. You can follow the stream upstream to reach the source of the iron-rich waters and discover its colours! Round trip in 3 hours.

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caazro65
caazro65

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It's a family hike, and the difference in altitude is easy to swallow because it's so gradual.
The Moudang valley is a feast for the eyes.
This is a wild place where you can spot many species. Be careful.
Popular route: No (I was there in April...)

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gouromplay
gouromplay

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

Accessible to all. Beautiful scenery with this torrent and its ferruginous water. The colours range from ochre and rust to glacier blue.

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Domiporte
Domiporte

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely, easy family walk.
The iron springs have superb colours.

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Laurent54
Laurent54

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Lovely hike, perfectly informed.

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Bernard 52
Bernard 52

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

At this time of year (June), there are very few people on this otherwise very pleasant route. The description is good and it's easy to follow the map.

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danielfr40
danielfr40

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The main attraction of this hike is the torrent, which you can more or less see.
A long track to the Moudang valley, followed from the barns by a muddy path that doesn't take you deep.
According to the track and the map, it ends at 2 fords. But I was in the fog, the water was tumultuous and icy and despite the trees across the path making it easier to cross, I didn't have the nerve to cross.
Thank you for this track and the description

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Mercier-Handisyde
Mercier-Handisyde

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : Not used / Not applicable
Very busy route : No

Dogs are strictly forbidden in this valley by municipal decree.
This reduces even more the number of 4-legged hikes in this region.

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