Walking, hiking, trekking:
- Hiking here is fantastic!
- The GR10
- The Astau valley, Lac d'Oô and d'Espingo
- Hospice de France
- Mont Né
- The Lis valley and its lakes
- Pic de Bacanère
- Pic du Céciré
- Aneto, the highest mountain in the Pyrenees
- Useful links for hikers
- Flora and fauna
- The Thermal Health Centre, to recuperate before setting out again.
Hiking here is fantastic!photographic guide
Hiking is a source of happiness everywhere. Walking in nature, anywhere in the world, brings serenity.
Walking around Bagnères-de-Luchon there is an amazing variety and richness. It's wild, sometimes an almost lunar landscape, and not many people, except on the most famous mountains.
Bagnères-de-Luchon has many short paths marked for small mountain walks. The path which goes up towards Cazaril leaves from the Hôtel Alouette. Consult our web page devoted to walks for more information.
Don't forget to book your nights in the refuges:
Refuge Vénasque: 05 61 44 21 60 (+33 5 61 44 21 60)
Refuges Portillon, Maupas, Espingo : 05 61 63 74 48 (+33 5 61 63 74 42)
For the other refuges consult the website of French Alpine Club.
Warning!
Hiking can be dangerous. It is essential to plan your route and keep to it, especially if you are alone. Be careful. Carry water, food, hat, sunglasses, clothing even if the weather is very hot. For more advice consult the books by George Véron "100 Peaks of the Pyrenees", or the French Federation of Hiking website. Carry your mobile phone. Even out of range it makes it possible to locate you in the event of a problem if it's switched on.
You also can hike with a professional guide who will explain the flora, fauna, geology, and other interesting things about the area.
Take care if you are flown over by a helicopter, plane or glider, do not wave both arms to say hello because it's the international sign to call for help! Be friendly and wave with one, except in an emergency!
The GR10 Grande Randonnéephotographic guide
The GR10 long distance footpath crosses the Pyrenees from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, approximately an 800km walk one way, and back again if you have the time and energy!
The path crosses Bagnères-de-Luchon, passing just 100 meters from the Hôtel Alouette. Our hotel is halfway between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean!
It is well signposted with two red and white parallel lines, and is easy to follow.
For details on how to get from the GR10 to the Hôtel Alouette, see the page with the location map.
For reserving nights in the refuges phone these numbers:
in the west, the refuge of Espingo: 05 61 63 74 42
in the east, the refuge Etang d'Araing: 05 61 96 73 73
For the other refuges consult the French Alpine Club website.
The GR11 is a long distance footpath east - west in Spain.
The HRP path (Haute Randonnée Pyrénéennes) follows the peaks. It is challenging and just as spectacular.
The valley of Astau, Lac d'Oô and d'Espingophotographic guide
If you have a vehicle you can park it at the Granges d'Astau, just after the pretty village of Oô which is 15 minutes by car from the Hôtel Alouette. From here take the GR10 which goes up to the Lac d'Oô, 1hr 15minutes of moderate walking, then up to the lac d'Espingo, 1hr 30mins further. Avoid this walk in summer if you want to be alone!
If you do not have a car there is a shuttle coach, one in the morning, one in the afternoon. In the centre of Bagnères-de-Luchon you can take the cablecar up to Superbagnères (1800 m altitude) it takes about 10 minutes. Follow the GR10 towards the west and you will arrive at Lac d'Espingo in approximately 3 hours. Go down towards Lac d'Oô by the GR10. The view of the lake from above is splendid. You pass close to the waterfall which feeds the lake.
Go down to the carpark where a shuttle coach will take you back to Bagnères-de-Luchon for a few euros. It generally leaves around 16.30pm. For more details on this shuttle go to the website of Tourist Office. There is only one shuttle, if you miss it, you will need to hitch a lift.
The Hospice de Francephotographic guide
A protected site, the Hospice de France is an exceptional place. It is the starting point for many walks and treks. It's 9km from the Hôtel Alouette and has a shuttle service, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. For more details on this shuttle go to the website of Tourist Office.
What is the Hospice de France?
First of all a large parking area for cars and some very old ruined buildings in the base of a valley. At an altitude of 1385m, it was inhabited from 1634 by people paid to ensure the safety and lodging for travellers on the way from Spain via the Port de Venasque or Pas de la Mounjoye. The name "Hospice" means refuge, "of France" because it was the first place inhabited in France when people arrived from Spain on foot. To find out more, you can look at a detailed book available from our library.
Hiking from the Hospice de France?
The most famous is the Port de Venasque. 
On a fine day in summer several hundred people follow this path which goes up to the port at the altitude of 2444m.
The Port de Venasque is named after the small Spanish village Benasque just below. Local history records its use since the year 1200, according to certain sources. In about 1300 the path was dug through the rock to provide an easier route. It will take between 2 and 3 hours to walk up depending on your fitness! As soon as you arrive at the port you will see why the path is so popular. The peak of Aneto, Maladeta in all its splendour! It is beautiful, perfect. You should rest for a while and enjoy the view. With binoculars you can see the cracks which cross the glacier on the way to the summit of Aneto.
You can return the same way, but it is better to go through the Spanish side to Port de la Picade, Pas de l'Escalette and Pas de la Mounjoye. It a little longer, but very beautiful and with fewer people. Map IGN TOP 25, number 1848, is essential because the path is not as obvious on this part of the route. The Pas de la Mounjoye was used by men and their herds well before the Port de Venasque.
It is of course possible to follow this loop back. There is no one-way system on the paths. The descent from the Port de Venasque is steeper and more painful for the knees.
The Pic de Sauvegarde, 2738m, is easily accessible from the Port de Venasque. It takes about 1 hour depending on your fitness. The view from the top is wonderful.
Another hike, the Cirque and Port de la Glère are magic places - wild, and with few visitors. It was the path used by the merchants in the Middle Ages.
The edge between the Col de Barèges and the Pic Campsaure, the Pic Pouylané is beautiful and here you will meet only sheep and cows.
The Col Montagnette is on the right side of the valley when you arrive at the lakes, and a little before the Port de Venasque. With a bit of luck you will see isards, the chamois of the Pyrenees. If not it is just a total desert of rocks, with a superb view of the Port de Venasque on other side of the valley and Maladeta at the bottom.
This place is a paradise for hiking. In summer it might be necessary to leave very early to avoid the crowds.
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