Need to get a breath of fresh air after these tough months? Craving the scent of wild garlic, wildflowers, violets, and the sight of ibex? What better place to recharge than the Pyrenees? Less famous than the Alps, the Pyrenees reveal just as many secrets and sublime landscapes, wilder, rawer, and full of surprises. Here is my selection of hikes to do with friends or family (for some), for all levels and tastes, in both summer and winter!
Lac de Gaube
At 1,725m, reaching these heights is pure bliss, and this hike is very accessible. Plan for about two hours of leisurely walking to enjoy yourself and take in the effortless beauty of the landscape. Wild nature, almost unexplored spots, marmots… this nature walk is a feast for the eyes! Located in the Cauterets valley, a well-known ski resort in the region, you can also access Lac d'Estom just a few kilometers away.
If you have a bit of time and energy, you can do both lakes over two or three days if you're up for it.
I recommend the following itinerary:
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Arrive by public transport from Bayonne after enjoying the local delights (ham, surfing, and sunsets).
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Next, start at Lac de Gaube, and if you can, spend the night by the lake. Obviously, bundle up, as the nights are extremely cold. This is perfectly doable in summer or winter with the right gear. Then, head back down the next day after sunrise. Then, full steam ahead! Hit the road for Lac d'Estom! They are about 15 kilometers apart, and the trail is simply sublime!
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Spend a second night at Lac d'Estom, just watch out for vipers.
Ayous Lakes
Do you love cheese? You're in for a treat! You are arriving here in the Ossau valley, home to Ossau-Iraty, that hard cheese that delights everyone's palate!
Be warned: these lakes can get very crowded in the summer, the price of popularity. The Ayous Lakes are located at the very end of the Ossau valley, with a panorama of the Pic du Midi d'Ossau that will bring tears to your eyes. Once again, I recommend catching a sunset and sunrise with your camp stove and instant coffee! The color palette is incredible!
For practical matters, prepare for a hike of about 7 hours, of moderate difficulty by most estimates. Still, be in good shape to avoid spoiling the fun. The important thing is to enjoy it without suffering too much! The peak reaches 2,100m, that's the Pic du Midi d'Ossau. If you have some time, don't hesitate to wander around Lac Gentau, which is 1.5 hours from the start, near Bious Artigues. Actually, Lac Gentau is accessible by car. Feel free to limit your hike to this lake and its surroundings. In summer or winter, this alternative getaway can be done with family if the kids are in good shape!
Lac de Montagnon and Col d’Iseye
This route couldn't be more laid-back! I still advise planning it for summer only, as it can hold some nasty surprises in winter or if the weather doesn't cooperate. In the heart of the Pyrenees, this heart-shaped lake will win over romantics and serious athletes alike!
Starting from Accous, the path is a bit long, but the variety and density of the landscapes completely immerse you in this almost brutal nature. Between the Aspe valley and Ossau valley, you will walk through forests, plains, and lunar landscapes.
Be aware that the climb to the Col d’Iseye can be difficult. This roughly 10-hour hike will be somewhat physically demanding, so be at least a little prepared and trained.
Kakuetta Gorges
A lover of the Basque Country? The Kakuetta Gorges are not only a must-see but also immaculately beautiful. Let's change things up a bit and go explore… a canyon! Over two kilometers, their depth reaches 350 meters in places. At the "Grand Étroit" (Great Narrow), only a few meters separate the two sides of the fault.
What you absolutely must see is the famous Grande Cascade (Great Waterfall), which is nearly twenty meters high and ends in a cave. We won't say any more! Careful, these caves are generally very crowded in the summer! Plan to start very early or go off-season to ensure you can enjoy the mystical atmosphere of the place. This walk is accessible to everyone; count on 6 euros for adults and 4 for children. Allow about 3 hours to walk and quietly admire the gorges.
Brèche de Roland and Pic du Taillon
For those who want to sink their teeth into nature, this is the place to be! In the Cirque de Gavarnie region, passing through the legendary Brèche de Roland, you will be treated to incredible sights and memories. History and myth buffs will remember that it was supposedly Roland, Charlemagne's nephew, who opened this passage by striking the rock with his sword, Durandal.
The summit of Taillon, which peaks at 3,144m, will leave you in meditative contemplation, thanks to its sublimity and grandeur that remind us of our own humility. This hike is difficult and lasts about 7 hours. Come prepared for the occasion, and don't forget snacks! I advise against doing this as a family with children; it's better for adults in excellent physical shape!
What's more, I invite you to bivouac on-site to enjoy the sunset and sunrise here, too, as the color palette is unparalleled. You might be accompanied by ibex, marmots, and pretty wildflowers… We love it!
Lacs de Nère and Lac des Hermitans
Much less famous than the previous ones, this route turns out to be a bit more preserved and less marked by human passage. It retains that pristine quality you don't necessarily find on every trail.
A first interesting consequence: you will see many more animals. Steep mountains, eternal snows, marmots, very, very cold topaz-blue lakes… Lac de Nère Arrouge, or the Hermitans, is located above Lac de Nère, at the eastern foot of Hourgade. If you have an extra day, take the time to contemplate each of these lakes; they are both worth the detour. On the mountainside, Lac de Nère Arrouge acts as a sort of balcony that stretches across two slopes at once (it drains into Lac de Nère). That's quite rare!
The elevation reaches about 2,790m; you don't venture there in all weather or with just anyone, as you can imagine! Be proactive and organized, both in terms of equipment and food. Water should not be neglected either, because as I remind you, mountain water is only safe at the source; downstream, even without human activity, it can be contaminated by an animal carcass, for example.
Bring water purification tablets if you can!
Pic Peyreget
You know the saying, "save the best for last"? You're in for a treat! This little corner of paradise looks like Iceland, with landscapes worthy of 2001: A Space Odyssey. So yes, the place is earned because it isn't super accessible, and that is the simple and sole reason it remains so preserved and wild today. Its highest point reaches 2,487m. Obviously, be in good shape for this rather long and difficult hike.
There are several trails, but count on 3 to 4 hours of steady but difficult walking! I recommend starting from the Cabane de l’araille, at 1,720m. Without any particular difficulty in the absence of snow, the climb from Lac de Peyreget to the summit is quite strenuous. Passing by the Col de soum de Pombie would be a good option to recharge at an inn before tackling other surrounding passes.
That's it for my little selection; there are undoubtedly thousands of other treasures buried in the heart of the Pyrenees. But let's keep a bit of mystery and personal discovery, to help nourish the explorer sleeping inside each of us! I'll also think about providing you with other hikes if you haven't had enough yet! Yes, the mountains really get to you!
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