The major sites around Saint Lary

A mosaic of crystalline and sedimentary rocks, battered by erosion and glaciation, has given rise to the fabulous landscapes of the Pyrenees National Park.

Good to know

Route du Col du Portet

Unrestricted opening from May 31, 2024 at 6pm to June 27, 2024

On June 28, 29 and 30, the Col du Portet road will be closed day and night, due to the SALMO TREK events (except for cyclists and beneficiaries declared to the Mairie (guard on site and contactable at night)).

Closed to all motorized vehicles from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., from Saturday, July 6, 2024 to Sunday, September 1, 2024 (except for beneficiaries registered with the Mairie and holding a pass, and vehicles on descent). A guard will be present at the start of the Route in Espiaube every day from 8.30am to 6pm.

Parking on the pass is restricted to authorized areas: 50 vehicles only.

The Col du Portet can be accessed by the Télécabine d’Espiaube (arrival at Tourette) from 06/07 to 01/09.

Néouvielle Reserve

Open from June to September Before 9:30 a.m. and after 6 p.m.: circulation authorized to individual vehicles between Orédon and Aubert. Parking mandatory in the Orédon and Aubert parking lots (paying)

From 9:30 am to 6 pm: no upward traffic for motor vehicles between Orédon and Aubert.

Shuttle service (paying) between Orédon and Aubert from 9.30am to 6pm (every 30 minutes). Children under 10: free

Dog daycare open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (7 p.m. in July and August) Information at the toll booth.

Rioumajou Valley

The road between Frédancon and the Rioumajou hospice is closed to motorized vehicles between 12pm and 4pm in July and August.

The Néouvielle Nature Reserve

The Lakes Route

Between granite landscapes and emerald lakes, this magical place delivers incomparable beauty with its exceptional flora and fauna. The Route des Lacs (Lakes Route) allows visitors to get as close as possible to these great unspoilt spaces through the Néouvielle Nature Reserve. You’ll discover magnificent lakeside landscapes , a succession of water bodies and torrents… In short, an unforgettable experience to share with the whole family.

lake aumar Reserve d Néouvielle laetitia

Go toat La Réserve

Closed in winter, this road generally opens from late May to early November (first snowfall). At Fabian (km 9), turn right onto the Route des Lacs, which winds along a gorge to a large flat area: the Artigusse parking lot (pedestrian departure point for Lac de l’Oule). The winding road continues to Lac d’Orédon (20 km from Saint-Lary), where it splits to reach the Cap de Long dam parking lot or the upper lakes of Aumar and Aubert.

In detail

Oule and Bastan lakes

At the Artigusse parking lot, you’ll find a trail that takes 45 minutes to reach Lac de l’Oule (1820m). At the upstream end of the lake, you can then pick up the GR10 trail to reach the first laquets and then the Bastan lakes (2250m) (1h45 from the Oule dam). Alternative access: By car, take the Pla d’Adet road and turn towards Espiaube. Then take the Col du Portet road (open from early June until the first snow *) and leave the car at the top to walk to the GR10 towards Bastan (2h15) or Oule (1h15).

Lacs d'Orédon - Aumar - Aubert

Lac d’Oredon and Lac Aubert are connected to the Oredon dam, which feeds the Neste canal. After the Orédon dam, you can either take the road to Lac d’Aumar at 2192m (road closed to uphill traffic from 9.30am to 6pm from June to the end of September, with paid parking), or walk along the path to Les Laquettes, which takes 1.5 hours to reach Lac d’Aubert.

Cap de long Lake and Dam

Here’s an impressive dam not to be missed on your visit. It was completed in 1954. It supplies the Pragnères hydroelectric power station (Gèdre canton de Luz). To reach it, leave the junction for Lac d’Orédon and continue along the road that ends at the foot of the dam. You’ll find a parking lot (beware, it’s very busy during the vacations) and a snack bar. If you’re a keen hiker, you can reach the Campbielh (3173 m ) from the dam.

The must-see valleys

Géla Valley

Follow the signs for Spain past the Templar chapel. The start of the hike is at the first bend on the right. Allow 3 hours to reach the Barroude lakes (2383m), overlooked by the Baroude wall, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is a very pastoral valley, where dogs are not allowed, even on a leash. If you’re observant, you may spot Isards on the high pastures. For the more courageous, you can reach several peaks, including the Pic du Port-Vieux .

Rioumajou Valley

Heading towards Spain, reach the village of Tramezaïgues and take the small road up through the fir forest. You’ll arrive at the Frédancon parking lot (1,381m, 12km from Saint-Lary). Closed in winter, this road is generally open from late May to early September. Filled with a wealth of flora and fauna, this valley is now a protected area.Zone Naturelle d’Intérêt Ecologique Faunistique et Floristique, the valley stretches along a torrent. From the parking lot, an easy trail takes you to the Hospice du Rioumajou (1h15 walk) and its vast, welcoming lawns. Other signposted walks are available, as well as 2 No Kill courses for Fario trout fishing, on the outskirts of the Hospice du Rioumajou: 1 “children’s” course of 120 meters and 1 “adult’s” course of 400 meters. Donkey rides are also available.

Eating at the Rioumajou hospice

The Moudang Valley

A wild valley populated by numerous isards (hunting reserve) and a ferruginous spring, the Moudang takes you to a remarkable group of high-altitude barns (1521m), once the site of intense pastoral activity. After the Eget factory (towards Spain), at a place called Pont du Moudang, cross the bridge to the right bank and leave the car behind. A wide track leads to the barns (2h).

A hike in the Moudang valley

Aulon regional reserve

The Aulon Regional Reserve at the foot of the Arbizon. The Aulon reserve is a rare jewel of biodiversity where you can discover unspoilt nature. It is part of the Pic du Midi International Starry Sky Reserve and close to the Massif du Néouvielle National Reserve. Follow the signs for Aulon from the village of Guchen (6Km – 10 min). Take the track towards Granges de Lurgues before entering the village of Aulon. If you’re passing through the village, don’t hesitate to drop in at the Maison de la Nature. For experienced hikers with a taste for summits, you can reach the famous Arbizon summit (2831m) from the Granges de Lurgues.

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The Louron Valley

A valley with many attractions. At the center is the magnificent Lac de Génos-Loudenvielle, which can be seen from the many peaks and ridges that surround the valley. From Saint-Lary, you can reach the valley via Arreau or the Col d’Azet.