Circuit of the lakes via the Pic de Madamète and the Hourquette d’Aubert

Park at the Lac d’Orédon car park (see practical information regarding access and any charges).

(S/E) Follow the path which first runs along the lake’s shores before veering away, climbing in tight switchbacks up to Les Laquettes.

(1) Continue along the shores of the two lakes, begin the climb towards Lac d’Aubert and reach the orientation table.

(2) Continue towards Lac d'Aumar. The path is flat and easy.

(3) Turn right to reach the lake’s shores and join the GR®10. Continue left to reach the path junction on the north bank.

(4) Stay on the GR® to climb up to the next lake. The climb may be interrupted by small streams running alongside the path and the slope is steep in places. Reach the Gourg de Rabas.

(5) Clamber over the large boulders to the right of the lake, then head straight up to reach the Col de Madamète: the path is clearly marked provided there is no snow.

(6) Leave the GR® to begin the ascent of Pic de Madamète via the path on the left, not the one on the right which goes round it. Follow the signs for the Néouvielle Nature Reserve to reach Pic de Madamète via this good path. This climb is a scree slope without much difficulty, although the path is not that easy to follow.

(7) Descend from the peak to Lac Nère. The first part of this descent follows the scree slope taken during the ascent, but this time the path is clearly marked. The rest of the descent presents no difficulty.

(8) Go round Lac Nère via some new boulders. The path through these boulders is rather tricky. If you’re following the route on GPS, head a little higher up than the track shows. In fact, the track was practically in the water in June: check it later in the year. Reach the junction with the Lac des Coubous path.

(9) Turn left and head straight up to reach the Houquette d’Aubert.

(10) Make sure you take the path on the left at the yellow sign on the path towards the small hillock with trees. The path is a bit steep but presents no technical difficulty. Head down towards Lac d'Aubert on the left along a gentle, steady slope. Return to the ascent route.

(3) Continue straight on and follow this path in the opposite direction to return to the Lac d'Orédon car park (S/E).

Summer:a car park is available at the edge of Lac d’Orédon; it is compulsory from June to September (from 9.30 am to 6 pm). Outside these hours, you can access the end of the D929 at Lac d’Aubert in your own vehicle. There is a charge for using the car park.

Hike with some technical sections: certain sections pass through areas of large boulders, occasionally requiring the use of your hands, mainly around the Gourg de Rabas and Lac Nère.

Snow may be present before mid-June. In the event of snow, take particular care around the boulders.

It is easy to adapt the hike with a wide range of routes depending on the weather and desired difficulty: starting from Lac d'Aubert (280 m higher), a detour via Lac de Madamète, etc.