My choise of walking in Val d'Azun
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The ridges of the Soulor |
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type
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Family walk
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Distance from the gîte by car
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15 min
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Level of difficulty
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Easy, ½ day
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Route
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Depart from the Col du Soulor ; take the track which runs north ; stay on the cross country ski track ; follow this until you reach the little « lac de Soum »; take the marked path that ascends to the ridge « de Serre » until you reach the hut « Cantau ». Return by the track to the ' lac de soum' and return by the taking the path to the east which passes through the pine wood until you reach the Col du Soulor
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Map Reference
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IGN series TOP 25 LOURDES 1647ET
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Extra Information
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- Shepherds hut with sheep trading morning and evening at the end of the path through the pine wood.
- It's possible to do this walk with a donkey hired from the Chalet du Soulor
- myrtilles to nibble here and there |
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Interest/My opinion
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The col du Soulor is mainly frequented by the large Pyrenean birds of prey (notably Griffon vulture) The ambiance is pastoral all along this route ; wonderful views across the flatlands and the main summits along the route (Pic du Midi de Bigorre, Cabaliros, Pic du midi d’Arrens, Gabizos…) Magnificant!
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Marmottes at the circle of Bouleste |
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Type
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Family walk
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Level of difficulty
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Medium ½ day
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Route
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Depart from the barrage du Tech, the footpath rises fairly steeply through the forest of nut trees, box trees and beeches for about ¾ hour. At the exit of the forest the view stretches out ahead of you towards the small valley of Bouleste. Open your eyes! There are many groups of marmottes living on the grassy slopes. The best time is morning or the end of the day. Follow the path until the far end of the valley; in June and July this area is a paradise pour flowers (joubarbes, iris des Pyrénées …). Look upwards, the bearded vulture makes many passes overhead... For the descent, a footpath can be found on the other slope which passes through the beech and pine wood, it comes out at the other end of the barrage du Tech.
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Map Reference
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IGN Série TOP 25 VIGNEMALE 1647OT
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Extra Information
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There is no spring water available, take you own !
If it becomes foggy it's wise to descend… |
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Interest/My opinion
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Take your binoculars to observe the marmottes, take up a post, don't go looking for them… the best corner of the valley of Azun to see them.
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Ridge of the pic de Pan |
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Type
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Energetic walk
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Distance from the gîte by car
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5 min
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Level of difficulty
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Tiring/ full day
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Route
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Depart upwards along the footpath Antony at the village of Bun. Follow the indications on the yellow signposts towards Estaing. The obvious footpath rises and goes past a group of granges then through an area of farmland and then reaches the forest above. When you catch sight of the ridge go towards it, leaving the marked footpath. Follow the ridge until you reach the Pic Arrouy. Pay attention, it is necessary to use your hands in two places. Superb view on both sides along the whole route. Having arrived on the ridge of the Pic de Pan keep close to the left hand side of it and descend the south slop to get to the base. The footpath is now much better marked, descend through the heather and then the forest of oaks and old chestnuts. The footpath continues to go down until the junction marked «Aucun ». Continue along the track until you reach the Gîte
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Map Reference
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IGN Série TOP 25 LOURDES 1647ET |
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Extra Information
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Plan a shuttle ride by car beforehand to the start (Bun) and the finish (le gîte)
Footpath very wild and away from the normal tourist trails.
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Interest/My opinion
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Walk at the edge of the ridge, wonderful view, vultures frequently pass overhead, in the forest you will frequently see squirrels.
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Plateau of Labassa… the isards are not far away |
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Type
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Walk
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Distance from the gîte by car
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20 min
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Level of difficulty
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Medium/ full day
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Route
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Leave from the car park at the end of the road at the Barrage du Tech. This is the principal starting point for many walks in the National Park. After several twists in the large footpath in the pine wood,the footpath enters into the zone of the National Park, quickly you reach the beautiful Lac de Suyen where the colour changes in relation to the colour of the sky…the footpath divides here, follow the direction towards Spain to the left. Take a look towards the grassy slope, the marmottes or the isards could be there, discreetly taking a siesta. The granite footpath reaches a small col, follow it until you reach the grassy plateau of Labassa. On the slope which is exposed to the east a ' toue' (shelter under rock, ancient shepherds hut) is hidden in the middle of the rocks. Have a look around… they are often not far away…The return is by the same path until the col de la Couradette, a yellow signpost indicates a footpath which descends to the Toue de Doumblas and its waterfall. Next you retake the footpath by which you ascended.
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Map Reference
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IGN Series TOP 25 VIGNEMALE 1647OT |
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Extra Information
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Dogs are not allowed in the National Park
I would you suggest you stay there until the end of the afternoon and beginning of the evening: there are less people around and the animals are more active.
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Interest/My opinion
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The classic walk of the Val d’Azun…but it's really beautiful!
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Walk on snow shoes at the Artigaux |
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Distance from the gîte by car
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15 min
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Level of difficulty
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Medium/ 1/2 day
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Route
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Depart in the direction indicated on the yellow pannel « Lac de Soum » ; take the path that borders the hazel trees. Continue straight ahead and climb until you reach a plateau ; leave the footpath opposite and more to the right and take the steepest path with several twists on the right. Continue west past the grange with the corrugated iron roof. Continue in the direction of the ridge and of the col de soum. Le lac de Soum on the other side of the col is very likely to be frozen. Return by the same route.
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Map Reference
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IGN Série TOP 25 LOURDES 1647ET
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Extra Information
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Route cleared of snow but equipement sometimes necessary.
Cross the cross country ski paths, don't walk in the tracks… |
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Interest/My opinion
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A magnificant walk in the cirque which allows you a view of the summits of the Val d’Azun, traditional granges and many different footprints to see: foxes, deer, wild boar, hares…
A guide to animal tracks is available at the gîte |
To learn about the flowers of the Pyrénées |
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Type
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Family walk
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Distance from the gîte by car
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20 min
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Level of difficulty
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Medium 1/2 day
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Route
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Leave the lac d’Estaing. Leave the car at the very beginning of the lake where you can cross the footbrige which passes over the outflow of the lake. Take the path on the other side of the lake. The flowers are everywhere, all the different colours and different enviroments (grass, damp areas by the edge of the lake, cliff...). At the head of the lake continue along the same bank until the end of the cirque. Return by the same path just in case you have forgotten all there is to see..…
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Map Reference
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IGN Série TOP 25 VIGNEMALE 1647OT
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Extra Information
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Flat route that won't pose any problems for the elderly, those with reduced mobility or young children.
Restaurant « Auberge du lac d’Estaing » : the best in the valley open from May to the end of September. Before you lavish your eyes prehaps you could lavish your taste buds.!! Guide to the flowers of the Pyrénées available at the gîte |
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Interest/ My opinion
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A bountiful route with full of suprises…
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A summit for the end of the week |
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Type
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Energetic walk
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Distance from the gîte by car
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15 min
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Level of difficulty
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Tiring/ full day
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Route
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Start from the road which runs along the col d'Aubisque. Leave the car 200 m before the path on the left. The footpath is marked on the left by a discreetly placed cairn. It rises steeply through the beech grove (footpath slippery if the weather has been damp). At the exit of the wood the footpath is well marked and rises and rises still more......Around 1h30min after you start you will arrive at the cabane de Larue (water). Continue in the little grassy cirque and follow the footpath on the left (cairns) until the ridge turns north/south. Continue off the footpath between the grassland and the area of limestone rocks(lapiaz) until the ridge of Taillades. At the col, in good weather there is a superb view of the valley of Bouleste, the summits of Gavarnie towards the Pic d’Anie. The route goes next up to the peak, sometimes spectacular but take the sure rock. Pick your route, you will have to use your hands, the summit can be attained 1/2hr after the col. Return by the same route.
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| Map Reference |
IGN Série TOP 25 VIGNEMALE 1647OT |
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Extra Information
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Beware of fog… It is better to descend if you are not on the footpath or above the cabane
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Interest/My opinion
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Multiple interest (flora, birds of prey, scenery…). A rich area full of suprises…each time I go there I find a new suprise.
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