Hiking & Camping at Néouvielle Nature Reserve Itinerary

Day 1 Welcome!

This morning your guide welcomes you at 9am at the SNCF train station in Tarbes. Transfer by minibus to the trailead to begin your first hike at Oule lake, and the Estoudou pass, a magnificent belvedere on the Néouvielle massif!

Continue the ascent to Mont Pelat! Have dinner and spend first night in a tent in the middle of nature on the shores of beautiful Lake Orédon.
Overnight Location: Camping on the shores of Lake Orédon
Distance: 5 hours, 850m of ascent, 400m of descent
Meals: Dinner

Day 2 Discover the Wonders of the Néouvielle

Passing through the lacquettes – the wonders of the Néouvielle, you will tackle the ascent to Lake Aubert and the “Pas del Gat”, with sumptuous views of the deep blue lake of Capdelong with silver reflections. Today your mountain guide will help you understand how the Néouvielle National Reserve is structured. End this day with a good meal and a night at the bivouac on the shores of Lake Aubert this time.
Overnight Location: Bivouac on the shores of Lake Aubert
Distance: 5 hours, 600m of ascent, 300m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3 Hike to the Pic de Madamète

Today is a circuit from lake to lake in the heart of the massif that takes you to the ascent of the Pic de Madamète at 2657m. From this thrilling summit, after contemplating the superb neighbouring peaks (Pic du Midi de Bigorre, Néouvielle, Mont Perdu, etc.), you will set off again to discover the wild valleys of the Néouvielle reserve. You will sleep again on the shores of Lake Aubert this evening.
Overnight Location: Bivouac on the shores of Lake Aubert
Distance: 7 hours, 900m of ascent, 900m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4 Hike to the Hourquette d’Aubert

Following the lakes of Aubert and Aumar, you’ll arrive at the Hourquette d’Aubert from where superb views of the Barèges Valley and the peak of Néouvielle (3091m) will blow you away. The exciting descent is marked by the presence of new lakes, up to the Gaubie bridge in the Barèges Valley. Your bivouac changes location this evening to settle in the valley of the Glère, whose beauty is equalled only by its tranquility.
Overnight Location: Bivouac in the valley of the Glère
Distance: 6-7 hours, 500m of ascent, 900m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5 Hike to the Cirque de la Glère

Today you will discover the sparkling lake cirque of the Glère, and again the wild wonders of the massif in the descent (depending on the conditions) through the Bolou Valley. Spend your last night in a tent at the Lienz where you will celebrate the end of this magnificent hiking trip.
Overnight Location: Tent at the Lienz
Distance: 6 hours, 700m of ascent, 700m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6 Hike to the Pic du Midi de Bigorre and/or to the Lac d’Oncet

Early in the morning, you’ll take a short transfer to the Toue hut, near the Col du Tourmalet, at the foot of the Pic du Midi de Bigorre. You will climb to the lake of Oncet, and the bravest can go to the top of the peak to finish in beauty this week and leave the Pyrenees with in memory the breathtaking view of the valley of the Adour, the chain of the Pyrenees, and all the plains of South-West France.

Transfer to Tarbes station around 7pm.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: 4 hours, 300m of ascent, 300m of descent
Meals: Breakfast and lunch