Vallon du Soussoueou to Gabas in the Ossau Valley

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.

Details

467289
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.22 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 947 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 940 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,665 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 953 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at the hairpin bend on the Route Forestière du Piet.
Yellow markings.

(S/E) Start at the far left of the car park, do not take the Pont de Goua bridge, but take a forest track that climbs up a hairpin bend.

(1) 1.2 km further up, take a path on the left and then, 100 m further on, turn right. Pass the Corniche des Alhas, carved into the rock (vertiginous passage - handrail cable).

(2) Cross the bridge and continue.

(3) Turn right onto the red and white markedGR®10towards Gourette and pass under a power line.

(4) At the fork, continue left on theGR®10. When you leave the forest, step onto a ledge and follow it more or less flat on the right.

(5) Keep to the right at the Cezy Plateau and the huts, and continue to follow theGR®10for about 1 km. Pass at the foot of large cliffs, where there is a magnificent view of the Soussouéou plain and Pic Palas.

(6) At the fork, leave theGR®10and descend to the right towards the Cabane de Soussouéou via a steep path that winds its way over grassy slopes and rock slabs.

(7) On the descent, take the steepest path on the right, which winds around a bend.

(8) At the bottom of the descent, do not cross the stream but continue to the right along the edge of the plateau. Cross an area of ruined shepherds' huts and head towards a path that starts at the bottom of the plateau on the right.

(9) The path runs alongside the stream, enters the forest and then climbs steeply to pass a rocky area. Climb and descend through the forest, always following the stream from above.

(4) Back on theGR®10, turn left and descend.

(3) Turn right and descend to the Pont du Goua bridge. Cross the bridge and turn right to reach the car park 50 metres away (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 953 m - Car park near the Pont du Goua
  2. 1 : km 1.34 - alt. 1,113 m - Leave the track and take a path on the left
  3. 2 : km 2.27 - alt. 1,124 m - Bridge
  4. 3 : km 2.72 - alt. 1,119 m - GR10 - to the right
  5. 4 : km 3.81 - alt. 1,348 m - GR10 - left
  6. 5 : km 5.43 - alt. 1,609 m - Cézy crossroads - keep right
  7. 6 : km 6.65 - alt. 1,662 m - Leave the GR10 - on the right
  8. 7 : km 7.4 - alt. 1,535 m - At the intersection, turn right
  9. 8 : km 7.82 - alt. 1,448 m - Ruins of shepherds' huts
  10. 9 : km 8.42 - alt. 1,415 m - Soussouéou Plateau
  11. S/E : km 13.22 - alt. 953 m - Car park near the Pont du Goua

Notes

Markings: Yellow line

The route can be dizzying, particularly the section along the Corniche des Alhas.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 16 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
User 23254793

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Breathtaking panoramas, phenomenal on the CÉZY plateau.
In summer, this route is certainly very pleasant as it is very shady.

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User 23347860

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I really enjoyed this hike. I highly recommend it.

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User 22202710

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent hike, few people, a complete change of scenery!
What's more, I'm not really good at finding my way around, but this route is very well described, although you do need to make sure you're heading in the right direction from the start...
It says that the hike takes over 6 hours, but I did it in 4 hours and 45 minutes with very few breaks. In short, it's still accessible despite the very hot weather at the end of June.
Enjoy your walk, everyone, and make the most of it 👍 🌞

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DomiGentreau
DomiGentreau

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

After a challenging climb, the reward is well worth it. This valley is beautifully preserved. The descent is also endless, but the coolness of the undergrowth is welcome. The GPS data is a little off, too steep and in the undergrowth to be accurate. Mine gave 14.90 km and 950 m elevation gain (without doing the ridge).

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Robichon Cam
Robichon Cam

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike offering a variety of landscapes, including forest (approximately 6 km), waterfalls, then the plateau and a descent into the valley, returning through the forest.
The hike is 15.5 km (not 13 km as indicated) and takes 4 hours and 45 minutes, not including lunch break. Point 8 is the perfect place for a picnic by the stream in the valley.
The climb is difficult but the view from the top is magnificent.
The yellow markings are very easy to spot.

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thaxac
thaxac

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very good parish-specific to Brittany hike that is not very busy, even though we did it in the middle of July
Be careful at the fork at point 7 and do not continue on the GR10 as we did..

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missina
missina
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 19, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello, and first of all, thank you for this guide. I would like to add some important details about reaching the starting point, as it took us a while to find it: your satnav will guide you to the right place if you search for "Pont de Goua", but at the end of the road (which becomes a track), you will come to a forest track with restricted access via a barrier. Take the path (which is passable despite appearances) on the left; the Goua Bridge car park is a few hundred metres further on. In any case, mentioning a car park in a "hairpin bend on the Piet Forest Road" seems rather vague and even confusing to me.

As for the rest, it seems to be a fairly intimate hike, as we only encountered two other compatriots about 2 km from the finish. It was a real haven of peace, except for the fairly demanding climb through the forest. Once at the top, the view of the valley from the Céry plateau is splendid. The descent into the valley is easy, before climbing a little to rejoin the path leading back to the Goua bridge (don't underestimate the length of the end of the hike, as mentioned above).

It's very pleasant to walk through a variety of landscapes, and the crystal-clear water of the stream makes you want to jump in.
We did this walk the day after quite heavy rain, so walking poles are a good idea to help you on the scree slopes (also useful in dry weather, in my opinion).

Actual walking time: 5 hours 45 minutes (average/good walkers).

Thank you for this lovely discovery!

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Panilleuse
Panilleuse

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 06, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike with no particular difficulties. The return journey seems longer due to the large scree slope. The views over the valley and surrounding mountains are superb. Worth repeating...

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PaulG2B
PaulG2B

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 24, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed with two children (aged 12/14) in 6½ hours, including breaks.
The first part is steep, but the view quickly becomes magnificent.
At this time of year, aim to return from the Soussouéou plateau around 2 p.m. to enjoy some sunshine, as the valley is quite cool and windy in autumn.

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Pétanque64
Pétanque64
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike, varied, quite long without being difficult.
At one point, the view overlooking Soussoueou is sublime. The return trip in the shade is very pleasant.
A must-do.
The duration, including numerous breaks, a leisurely meal and two foot baths in the clear, inviting water (a little cool, though) off the path, is six hours.

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sibusatesenior
sibusatesenior

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 27, 2020
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I followed the trails, and the GPS route matched perfectly. I was even able to venture further into the valley without fear.
A very beautiful route

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Herve16
Herve16

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 17, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very beautiful hike, varied landscapes. For experienced hikers

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lilo64
lilo64

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 29, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Superb hike

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jimmo62
jimmo62

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very beautiful hike, superb!
Access to the car park is difficult by car – the road is very bumpy. It may be easier to park further south on the D935 and follow the GR108 north, then take the path east to join this hike – but I haven't tried that.

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Popss
Popss

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 02, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful hike, even if it was overcast and damp... with views of the surrounding peaks obscured by clouds! On that note, several sections are tricky because they are on rocks, which are damp and therefore slippery, very slippery! Hiking poles are essential!

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