Vallée d'Ossau‎ walks

The not-to-be-missed Lacs d'Ayous, deep in the Ossau valley, with a magnificent view of the Pic du Midi d'Ossau.

Why Grand Tour? Because it's a must-see passage through the Ayous Refuge in a setting that is, how can I put it? Sublime... ⚠️ 23/09/2025: The Magnabaigt trail (section of the Tour du Midi d'Ossau) will be closed from 1 September 2025 until further notice from (13) to (S/E) for forestry work. Hike not possible at this time.

This is a short hike with little elevation gain and no difficulty in clear weather. The view from the ridges of all the surrounding peaks and villages is magnificent all along the way. From the Gros huts, the return trip along the trail is very easy.

A relatively short walk accessible to all, allowing you to discover the Séris waterfall and the typical narrow streets of Laruns.

Through a splendid forest, an energetic trail leads us to Lac d'Er, nestled in a wild setting.

The Lac d'Anglas hike is one of the must-do routes starting from Gourette. It offers a varied mountain landscape where waterfalls, cliffs and lakes enhance the magnificent scenery of the high-altitude summer pastures you will be crossing.

A classic sporting challenge in the Ossau Valley. The Pic du Midi, affectionately known as Jean-Pierre, can be circumnavigated in an anti-clockwise direction. Although well marked and signposted, the route suffers from a total lack of signposting in the National Park. Reserved for experienced hikers. ⚠️ 23/09/2025: The Magnabaigt trail (section of the Tour du Midi d'Ossau) will be closed from 1 September 2025 until further notice from (8) to (S/E) for forestry work. Hike not possible at this time.

A lovely loop from Gourette that takes you past numerous lakes. Best undertaken in good weather. Part of the route is unmarked. The GPX track may prove very useful.Follow the directions in this description. You must ascend via the water channel.Classified as difficult due to a tricky (but safe) section on the old penstockReported on 08/09/2024: very recently, a handrail (chain) has been installed along the entire length of the penstock

From the village of Eaux-Chaudes, with its old-fashioned charm and romantic 19th-century thermal baths, to the remarkable entrances to the two caves of the same name (although the water is cold), this hike is accessible to all and offers many surprising and visually stunning discoveries. At the end of the trail, venture underground along the riverbank by lamplight to admire some of the wonders of the underground world, adding an extra thrill and unforgettable excitement to the experience.

This is a short hike that takes you off the beaten track to a lake that is less frequented but just as beautiful as the more famous Ayous Lakes, perhaps because this walk can only really be done as a round trip. We went there in autumn for the peace and quiet, the beauty of the site and, quite simply, for the colours, the colours!

This hike takes you through all kinds of mountain landscapes, from forest to pastureland, scree slopes, canyons and sun-drenched cliffs. The grandiose and wild atmosphere of this route will delight all experienced hikers.

Lac de Houer is very quiet, as hikers prefer to head towards Lac de la Pombie from Cabane d'Araille. In summer, this walk allows you to admire the equally beautiful landscapes far from the crowds, surrounded by pastures and herds of cattle.

Located 40 minutes from Pau, the Benou plateau is a well-known destination for families looking to get some fresh air in a beautiful pastoral setting. You can easily reach the famous stone circles (cromlechs), burial sites of our Iron Age ancestors (3,000 years ago) overlooking the Ossau Valley. And if you're feeling brave, head to the Pic d'Escurets to admire the panorama stretching from Tarbes to Bayonne. Superb!

With only 8 km and 470 m of elevation gain, this hike is accessible to almost everyone. The paths are wide and easy to follow. The views are magnificent. A change of scenery without too much difficulty. From the refuge, the more adventurous can climb to the Col de Peyreget or the Col de Suzon. To do so, you will need to be very well equipped.

Lake Isabe is one of the most beautiful and mysterious lakes in the Pyrenees and, in any case, a real gem set in a mineral landscape with steep cliffs. Towering above it, above the last snowfields of summer, rises the Pic de Sesques (or L'Escarbu). To reach it, you will have to traverse chaotic landscapes and climb a narrow couloir to reach an aerial ridge, but it is not dangerous. A beautiful mountain hike with a nice 1,700 m elevation gain over a fairly short distance of 14 km.

This is a fairly challenging hike in terms of elevation gain, but offers varied landscapes. This little-visited lake is a haven of peace and ideal for a picnic with family or friends.

This circular route, without any particular difficulty, offers you a connection between Eaux-Bonnes and Laruns, passing through the villages of Assouste and Aas, typical of the Ossau Valley. The walk offers both beautiful panoramic views and the opportunity to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the 19th-century spa era.

An easy, rural circular from Sainte-Colome in the Ossau Valley, alternating between beautiful woodland paths and farm tracks, offering a wonderful introduction to the Béarn foothills and the pretty village of Sainte Colome. Marked with PR®, then VTT and then GR®78.

This route in the upper Ossau valley allows you to explore the ridges overlooking the Ayous lakes without having to deal with the crowds that flock there. The Vallon d'Aas de Bielle is a wonderful and peaceful pastoral spot. From the top of the Pics d'Ayous and Larry, there is a magnificent view of the Pic du Midi d'Ossau (2,884 m), which rises up imposingly, as well as all the Ayous lakes, which are well worth seeing from such a height!

Is it hot or grey? Here is a half-day forest trail that is perfect for children. However, avoid periods when it is too wet due to some slippery descents. At the top of the walk, you can enjoy a view of Arudy, and birds of prey are often visible. Above all, don't forget a torch to venture a little way into the cave. Opposite, the other cave, which is closed, contained prehistoric remains (on display at the Arudy museum).

What better season than spring to discover (or rediscover) the mountains? Snow still adorns the landscape, streams flow merrily down the slopes, and a profusion of flowers carpets the already thick grass of the mountain pastures. The Cirque d'Anéou, in the upper Ossau valley, offers us the added bonus of its magnificent setting and geological curiosities.

This round trip hike requires a fairly good level of fitness. Long distance and steep gradient. Returning via Lake Artouste greatly reduces the difficulty. This hike is magnificent. Throughout the climb, you will have the high peaks in your sights. The trails are varied: you will cross forests, summer pastures with herds of cattle, streams and, early in the morning, you may even see some izards (a type of wild goat).

A fairly short but steep hike in places, well marked, with superb views of the foothills, the towns of Pau, Tarbes, Oloron, and also the peaks: Pic du Midi d'Ossau, Pic de Ger, etc.

A tourist and walking route to the wonderful blue lakes of Artouste and Arrémoulit, then to a border pass offering a beautiful panoramic view of the upper Arriel Lake, the Palas and the Balaïtous.

Montagne du Rey, whose highest point is Soum de las Picarras (1,349 m), is the first peak in the Ossau valley and offers a superb 360° panoramic view from the Pau plain to the Pic du Midi d'Ossau.

This hike has a moderate elevation gain but is a bit long. The Pic d'Escurets is a magnificent viewpoint. From the summit, you can see the towns of Pau, Tarbes and Oloron-Sainte-Marie. And many peaks such as the Pic du Midi de Bigorre (2,872 m), the Balaitous, the Palas, the Lurien, the Gabizos massif, the Pic du Ger and many others. On the way down, the view of Benou is absolutely beautiful.

This hike takes us on a very airy route along the facilities created in 1954 by the SNCF in the middle of the mountains to collect part of the water from the underground river in the massif and part of the water from the Artouste power station, and to channel it through a penstock to the Miégebat power station on the Gave d'Ossau. After the Grottes des Eaux-Chaudes caves, the route follows the Artouste-Miégebat underground water supply canal with its many windows.

This is a family hike in the Ossau Valley, south of the city of Pau, between the villages of Bescat and Sévignacq-Meyracq. Mainly through the woods, it leads to the Tos de la Courade (tos = watering hole) and then joins theGR®78via a well-maintained path, before returning to the starting point. It overlooks the Ossau Valley to the south and, in the second part of the walk, the plain of Pau.

This lovely walk allows you to discover the typical villages of the Ossau Valley from a higher vantage point. The old paths that connected them are still paved in places, and the slate-roofed houses, grouped around the church, feature beautiful engraved marble portals.

A beautiful circular route above Gourette with the ascent of Pic Sanctus (2,482 m), which offers a stunning panorama, particularly of Pic de Ger and the Vignemale and Gabizos massifs. The return route via Lac d'Anglas is dotted with the remains of the old zinc mine.

A circular walk starting from the Anéou basin, to pay a visit to Jean-Pierre, the giant of Béarn, and enjoy the beauty of a few small mountain lakes. A walk we have done several times in late summer or autumn, always with the same pleasure.

A classic destination in the Cirque d’Anéou, this winter hike offers the vast, snow-covered and peaceful expanses of the cirque, along with majestic views of the French and Spanish peaks along the border. The distance and elevation gain make it a great destination for the start of the season!

A stroll through the mountain village of Laruns, situated in the heart of the Ossau Valley in Haut-Béarn, offers a chance to experience the atmosphere of days gone by. It is also an opportunity to discover, through chance encounters, the atmosphere of a modern-day mountain village.

A lovely walk to the Col de Lurdé (1,948 m) and then its peak (2,089 m) from the Pont de Goua. You’ll gain altitude from the Cézy plateau to get a better view of all the surrounding peaks. Magnificent views of the Pic du Midi d’Ossau and the Balaïtous, to name but two. From the pass, the climb to the Pic de Lurdé takes 15–20 minutes and is straightforward.

This lovely route allows you to discover the typical villages of the Ossau Valley whilst gaining altitude. The old paths that once linked them are still paved in places, and the slate-roofed houses, clustered around the church, feature beautiful carved marble doorways. The route also connects Eaux-Bonnes via the villages of Assouste and Aas, which are typical of the Ossau Valley. The walk offers both stunning panoramic views and the chance to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the 19th-century spa era.

A beautiful winter walk set in a wild and completely uncrowded landscape, on the French-Spanish border.

This loop in the Ossau Valley offers a wide variety of peaks, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, aerial passages and remarkable 360° views. It is a challenging hike due to its significant elevation gain and passages where you will need to use your hands, but it is sure to leave a lasting impression.You will be following in the footsteps of Henry Russel, who made the ascent in July 1874 and gave a faithful account of it in the Bulletin de la Société Ramond, under the title "Explorations pyrénéennes" in October 1874.Writing a description of it yourself requires a certain amount of humility, as his style, always generous, often lyrical and sometimes emphatic, commands respect! All this with the limited technical means of the time!

A circular hike linking the Val d'Azun to Lake Artouste, skirting the Pic de Batbielh. Mountain atmosphere with Lake Migouélou, the scree slopes of the Col de la Lie and the Larribet refuge, but also more touristy near the little train of Artouste. A demanding route, which can be completed in a day and a half or two days, with magnificent landscapes.

This loop in the Ossau Valley offers a wide variety of peaks, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, aerial passages and remarkable 360° views. It is a challenging hike due to its significant elevation gain and passages where you need to use your hands, but it is not one you will forget. It adds difficulty and also enjoyment to the traditional loop by passing through the famous Passage d'Orteig, the Pic d'Arrious and the cliffs of the Barre d'Arrious!You will be following in the footsteps of Henry Russel, who climbed the Arriel via the normal route in July 1874 and gave a faithful account of his ascent in the Bulletin de la Société Ramond, under the title "Explorations pyrénéennes" in October 1874.Writing a description yourself forces a certain amount of humility, as his style, always generous, often lyrical and sometimes emphatic, commands respect! All this with the limited technical means of the time!

You walk along old stony paths, unfortunately including a track. There is a beautiful view of the Ger massif and the Pic du Midi d’Ossau, and you eventually come to numerous barns, many in ruins but a few well-maintained.

A somewhat long walk, but not difficult, with good yellow PR® Route de la Vallée d'Arudy signposting, which occasionally overlaps with a GR®. Beautiful views of the Ger massif and perhaps towards Ossau. Several interesting churches along the way.

Two options: either a 2-hour family walk, the Fontaine d'Estéret route (a circular PR® route marked in yellow), or a longer route including the ascent across the Pla Dou Soum (1,391m) with a beautiful view of the Massif de Ger.

La Montagne Verte is a plateau at a moderate altitude (1,200 m) but offers superb views of Eaux-Bonnes and the peaks of the Ossau Valley. The route starts in the village of Aas, known for its whistling shepherds. You can extend the walk to Mont Larive, adding an extra hour for the return journey.

A round trip along the Gave de Brousset, offering superb views of the surrounding mountains. The route is often shaded. If you are not sensitive to the cold, you can swim in the river.