The iron-laden springs of the Moudang Valley

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

Technical sheet

n°37391895

Creation:
31 Jul 2023

Last update:
3 Sep 2023

Last review:
28 Apr 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 13.23 km
Average duration: 5h 35
Difficulty: Moderate
Return to departure point: Yes
Vertical gain: + 630 m
Vertical drop: - 631 m
Highest point: 1,689 m
Lowest point: 1,058 m

Country: France
Areas: Pyrénées, Massif de Batchimale
District: Aragnouet (65170)
Start/End: N 42.786098° / E 0.245855°
IGN map(s): Ref. 1748ET, 1748ETR
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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

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

Practical information

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

In the nearby area

(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 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5

Clarity of route map
4.8 / 5

Route interest
4.5 / 5

caazro65

Apr 28, 2025 at 03:07 EDT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : 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

Aug 20, 2024 at 01:42 EDT

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : 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

Aug 17, 2024 at 09:18 EDT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

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

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Laurent54

Jul 22, 2024 at 04:36 EDT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Lovely hike, perfectly informed.

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Bernard 52

Jun 24, 2024 at 05:49 EDT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : 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

Jun 12, 2024 at 06:01 EDT

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : 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

Oct 05, 2023 at 13:48 EDT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : N/A
Route interest : N/A
Busy trail : No

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