Hiking Béarn

The trail starts from the Sansanet picnic area, 2 km upstream from the forges d'Abel. The trail rises through pastures to the border, offering magnificent views of the Peyranère plateau and the Val d'Aspe massifs. Once at the border, the route follows the herd track to the 30-hectare Lac d'Estaens, with its legend of shepherds and a black ram haunting the area. Today, the lake supplies the Espélunguère hydroelectric power station.

The ascent to the estives is a major event for the valley, and the signposted route is only the lower part of the transhumance from Arette to La Mouline. This route juggles between the cluses and the departmental road. From Arette, follow the right bank of the Vert and climb towards the Cazaurang farm, near the Hourat bridge, to reach the defile between the Sudou peak and the Soom de Liorry. The scenery is grandiose and surprising.

The Lakhoura peak rises imposingly from the horizon, offering a breathtaking spectacle of nature in all its splendor. Located on the border between France and Spain, the Lakhoura peak dominates valleys including the Belagua valley, the Saint-Engrâce valley and the Arres d'Any limestone massif, with peaks such as the Pic d'Arlas, Table des 3 rois, Ansabère and Sierra de Alano. This walk follows the border ridge between Pierre-Saint-Martin and Pic d'Orhy, crossing the gateway to Béarn and Haute-Soule.

Departing from Artouste, you have access to a variety of organized activities, supervised by professionals, that can take place on a half-day or full-day basis. Among these options, you can choose from hikes ranging from one day to several, with the possibility of spending the night in cabins or tents. Also available is the Grand Tour du Lac excursion, which lasts 1 hour 45 minutes and starts and finishes behind the Maison de Fabrèges. For further information, please contact the tourist office.

Discover Lac d'Artouste and its walks from the train station at the foot of the dam. A 30-minute walk (easy) will take you to the lake. On site, a variety of activities are available for all ages and tastes. Walkers will enjoy the scenery, anglers will have the opportunity to discover Arctic char and fario trout, while children can take part in a treasure hunt with a questionnaire on the fauna, flora and history of the train, complete with information panels. As a bonus, budding explorers will receive a diploma and a gift.

Explore the flora and fauna of the region, with the chance to spot marmots, isards, bearded vultures, the griffon vulture, the largest bird of prey in the Pyrenees, or the Egyptian vulture, the oldest vulture in the world. You can also discover edelweiss and rhododendrons along the paths.

The Bureau des Guides de Pau is your gateway to the natural wonders of the Pyrenees. With a team of experienced and passionate guides, we offer a variety of mountain experiences, whether you're a novice or an expert. Whether it's climbing, hiking, skiing or other outdoor adventures, our guides will accompany you safely through breathtaking scenery. They share not only their expertise, but also their love of nature and the mountains. Whether you're looking for an exciting adventure or a quiet getaway, the Bureau des Guides de Pau is here to guide you to unforgettable experiences.

Explore Arudy on six easy walks carefully laid out around the town. These walks invite you to discover the landscapes and treasures of the region. Among the itineraries listed in a small leaflet, you can stroll along the Gave or the Lac de Ducrest, take the fitness trail or the Promenade du Laüs. Another leaflet, available from the tourist office, will show you a number of itineraries for discovering the streets of Arudy.

This picturesque two-kilometre loop reveals a captivating bucolic charm. After traversing the beautiful Béarn countryside, the village's Calvaire wood and its forest are full of pleasant surprises. Plunge into the heart of the flora and fauna, while contemplating picturesque landscapes such as the forest ecosystem, the calvary, and the ecology of the Virgou stream. Detailed information is available from the tourist office to enhance your experience.

A visit to the Plateau de la Gentiane is a must. With its atypical profile, a pleasant route with no major difficulties, a belvedere offering a remarkable view of the Aspe valley, and finally, its access path from Peyrenère, this place offers an unforgettable experience. Covering a distance of over 7 km, you can enjoy a pleasant walk while soaking up the exceptional setting, revealing the remarkable natural wealth of the region. Over the course of more than 2 hours, you'll come across other visitors and make some memorable encounters!

As an exceptional karst site, renowned for its caving, Arette la Pierre-Saint-Martin also stands out for its remarkable scenery on various walks and hikes. Whether mountain biking through the forest, conquering the peaks of Anie and Arlas on foot, or hiking the Lapiaz, visitors can explore this natural region from the resort. Options include the famous GR10, which can be hiked in its entirety or in sections, the Pyrenean Haute Randonnée trail, or one of the many local circuits.

There is a wide range of possibilities for walks around Eaux-Bonnes and Gourette. Marked itineraries are available, graded according to level of difficulty and length of journey: whether around the Bouy plateau, with its climb through the forest, the Lac d'Anglas walk on the GR 10, the hike to the Pic de Ger via the Col d'Amoulat, or circuits such as the Horizontale, the Trois Villages, the Quatre Lacs walk. Details of each itinerary can be downloaded from the Tourist Office website.

The reconstructed Piémont Pyrénéen route (GR-78) started from Carcassonne and reached Lourdes, St-Jean-Pied-de-Port (last stop before the border) before crossing the mountains to arrive at Roncesvalles. It links the Mediterranean with the Atlantic, and offers a rich heritage. This hike, often on hilltops, offers splendid panoramic views of the Pyrenees chain as it crosses the département. With a total distance of 594 km, the maximum altitude is 1,179 m, with a cumulative difference in altitude of 13,717 m.