Get ready, strap on your snowshoes, grab your poles, follow the guide, let’s go!”
By Jean-Michel Loric
Hike to La Coueou 2Hike to La Coueou 2
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Dream snowshoe hikes
à la CouéouA little corner of paradise
Hike to La Coueou 2
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A magnificent snowshoe hike inVallée d’Aure, near Saint-Lary, in 60 cm of fresh, immaculate snow in which I had the pleasure of taking part.
The Couéou forest road, located 1 km above the village of Aragnouet in the direction of Spain, will be the starting point for this hike, which will take us on a 3.5-hour ascent to Courtaou de Prat, from where we’ll have a superb view of the Aure valley floor, all the surrounding peaks and the border ridges with Spain.
You’ll be surprised to come across a clearing in the first third of the climb, with the kennels of sled dogs impatiently waiting to set off. Another very, very nice activity to do in Saint-Lary. That’s for another time, for today, it’ll be snowshoes.
But we must continue towards a more serious climb through a silent, immaculate setting.
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An unexpected point of view
As we climb, fewer and fewer trees and more and more sunshine.
We make our way through breathtaking scenery, disturbed only by the crunch of our footsteps in the fresh snow.
After 600 meters of ascent, we approach the cabane du Prat, which will be the goal of this hike and the place for a well-deserved lunch break. We’ll have a superb view of the upper Aure valley, the surrounding peaks and the border ridges with Spain
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And finally...
We can't wait to come back and try out a new corner of paradise.
It’s time to head back down and enjoy the magnificent view of the peaks one last time before heading back into the forest. We’ve had a marvellous day in beautiful scenery, accompanied by the guide’s fascinating commentary.
Rando A La Coueou 13Rando A La Coueou 13
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