Towards Lac d'Oô

de fr

A lovely walk gradually ascending towards the artificial Lac d'Oô and the large waterfalls that feed it.

Technical sheet

n°156366
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.24 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 448 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 444 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,525 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,132 m
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Photos

Lake Oô still frozen
Lake Oô
Lake Oô
Pic de la Cascade

Description of the walk

Access: From Oô, follow the D76 and park in the Granges d'Astau car park.

(S/E) Head towards the end of the road, leaving Les Granges on your left, to pick up the path.

(1) The path climbs fairly gently for 1.5km, then twists and turns appear. Stay on the main path and leave the lane leading to the buildings on your right.

(2) Continue uphill until you reach a slightly downhill section. Continue for 100m.

(3) There is a small path on your right that leads to one of the exits from the dam.

(4) Turn around and return to the narrow path.

(3) Take the main path to the right as far as a bridge.

(5) Continue straight on towards the dam, skirting its bank for a short distance.

(6) Turn around and return to the bridge.

(5) Cross it and head towards the section overlooking the Auberge Refuge du lac d'Oô.

(7) Return the same way you came (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,133 m - Car park - Les Granges d’Astau
  2. 1 : km 0.21 - alt. 1,150 m - Start of the trail
  3. 2 : km 2.41 - alt. 1,455 m - Path to buildings
  4. 3 : km 2.9 - alt. 1,498 m - Small path on the right
  5. 4 : km 2.98 - alt. 1,465 m - Dam outlet
  6. 5 : km 3.3 - alt. 1,489 m - Bridge - Neste d'Oô (rivière) - Affluent de l'One
  7. 6 : km 3.52 - alt. 1,516 m - Right bank - Lac d'Oo
  8. 7 : km 3.99 - alt. 1,525 m - Point dominating the > - Refuge du Lac d'Oô
  9. S/E : km 7.24 - alt. 1,132 m - Parking des Granges d'Astau. Close to the - Neste d'Oô (rivière) - Affluent de l'One

Practical information

Take all the essentials you need for a mountain hike:
- food and drink
- protection from the weather (sun, rain, wind, cold, etc.),
- lighting (torch) in case the hike finishes late.

In the nearby area

During this walk, I saw many hikers in bivouac mode continuing beyond the point (6).
I refer you to the "Lac d'Espingo" hike
https://www.visorando.com/randonnee-lac-...
There were tents pitched near the hostel.

At the starting point at the Granges d'Astau, it is possible to get something to eat (certainly in summer).

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 87 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
fcmimi
fcmimi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

accessible and shaded

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8PTC1
8PTC1

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Nice route, with a splendid finish at the lake

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La Miche
La Miche

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Hello,
Although this route presents no difficulties, it is still a mountain hike. As such, it's essential to be equipped, if only with good walking shoes with a suitable sole. And yet, once again, I came across so-called hikers wearing a simple pair of trainers with a completely smooth sole. And what had to happen happened: on the way back down to a wet area, a young woman was sitting on the ground with a huge lump on her ankle. She explained that she had just slipped and twisted her ankle. After providing her with my survival blanket (it was already 5pm and the humidity in the air was starting to drop) and a bottle of water, she patiently waited for help to come and pick her up. It was a pity...

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Bouconne VTT
Bouconne VTT

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

It's a nice little walk that's not complicated for the average hiker, and the arrival at the lake is quite pleasant.
I wanted to see it because everyone spoke so highly of it.
The downside is that it's certainly the best-known hike in the Pyrenees. It's true that at around 11 o'clock it's a motorway on the way up.
Luckily we left early, so it wasn't too crowded.
On the plus side, you can have a coffee at the refuge du lac, and lunch in one of the three restaurants below.

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Gilles32
Gilles32

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A bit of a long climb ... but quite doable.

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Maycal
Maycal

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Busy trail : Yes

Not worth the effort, very disappointed when we arrived at the lake, it's still a dam, the waterfall is pretty, not to be repeated.

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Masterviovio
Masterviovio

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A pleasant walk with easy access to Lac d'Oô.
The walk took us 2 hours 15 minutes, not including the break at the lake.
1h15 for the ascent and 1h for the descent.
Once at the refuge, you can take a break by the lake, have a picnic or simply enjoy the scenery.

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Baco13
Baco13

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : Yes

Lovely views from the lake, but the climb is through forest on a busy motorway.

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La chevre 64
La chevre 64

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

The Lac d'Oô and its beautiful waterfall rewarded a slippery climb due to the previous day's thunderstorms. We set off early in the morning and there were already quite a few people despite the cool, damp conditions. The climb was relatively easy, but some of the tourists should be a little better informed and follow mountain safety instructions (flip-flops, shorts, T-shirt and smarphone...., no water, no clothing precautions in case of weather changes, and let's not forget the rubbish: it's all nonsense!) We climbed towards Espingo, but turned back before we reached our goal, because my knee was sore from the operation... too bad for us. My wife sprained her ankle on the way down, but my first aid kit (cream, bandage and pills) did the trick.
It was a fine day all the same, despite the crowds.

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Molletmou
Molletmou

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

The environment once you arrive at the lake is pleasant, but it's still far too busy at the height of the season. We came across a few horses (with foals) and cows in summer pasture. That's always a pleasure, especially when they're not shy.

The climb is easy, making it a family walk accessible to all. All of a sudden, the path becomes a veritable motorway. I recommend this walk out of season.

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Maverick6731
Maverick6731

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A real motorway in good weather ....

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francounette
francounette

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Easy walk. Very pretty lake with a beautiful waterfall

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Nat6572
Nat6572

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A very passable path, even in the rain!

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JLM 31
JLM 31

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A leisurely stroll to a picturesque spot. During the snack break, we witnessed a few mini-avalanches of melting snow triggered by the unusual heat.
Note that there are accessible toilets at the starting point.

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veronique seul
veronique seul

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Lovely walk in the shade. Varied scenery. No major difficulties.

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