Néouvielle lakes

🥾 In a nutshell

⏱ Duration: 3 days
📏 Length: 38 km
⛰ Elevation gain: 2,400 meters
💪 Difficulty: difficult
🌤 Season: May to October

Display map

🙋 Who is this trek for?

This trail in the Néouvielle is aimed at experienced hikers, who are used to walking for around fifteen kilometres, with an elevation gain of around 1,000 metres.

🚆 Getting there

The starting point of this trek is located at the large Tournaboup car park, in the town of Barèges.

For those who prefer public transport, it is possible to take a train to Lourdes, then a coach to Barèges. You will then have to walk about 2 kilometers to reach the starting point of the hike.

🛌 Sleep and eat

This hike goes through a wild environment, away from any city. The stages are located at the refuges of Orédon then Campana de Cloutou. We recommend that you consult the websites of these two refuges, in order to obtain the up-to-date timetables and prices of these refuges.

These shelters offer meals, which is handy to lighten your bag.

Bivouacs are prohibited within the Néouvielle nature reserve, with the exception of the bivouac areas located near the Orédon and Aubert lakes. It is then limited to one night in the same place, between 7 p.m. and 9 a.m.

🎒 Equipment

Like any trek, this one requires a minimum of preparation. To manage it like a pro, please consult our dedicated guide: What to bring on a trek.

🥾 Day 1: on the way to the lakes of Aubert and Aumar

Departing from the Tournaboup car park in Barèges, this first stage allows you to immerse yourself in the heart of the Néouvielle reserve.

The path begins by climbing to reach the Lac des Coubous, then a multitude of smaller bodies of water. The setting then becomes more mineral as the path reaches Hourquette d'Aubert (2,498m), the highest point of the stage, which offers a superb panorama of the peak of Néouvielle and the lakes of Aubert and Aumar.

The route continues with a descent between these two lakes, to the refuge of Orédon located on the shores of the lake of the same name.

From Barèges to Refuge d’Orédon

14km • Hard •

🥾 Day 2: Lake Oule and Col de Bastanet

If the first day of walking was exceptional, this one will not leave you hungry either.

From the start, the trail devours 400 meters of elevation to the Estadou pass (2,260 m), before descending immediately to reach Lake Oule in a green setting. It then proceeds along a stream, then passes by the cabin of Bastan and by several bodies of water such as the lake of the Middle and the lake Superior.

We then arrive at the Col de Bastanet (2,509 m), the highest point of this trek, for a magnificent panorama extending over the Néouvielle massif and even to the Pic du Midi.

Finally, the path descends between the Hourquette, Arrédoun and Campana lakes, until you reach the Campana de Cloutou refuge.

From Refuge d'Orédon to Refuge de Campana de Cloutou

12km • Hard •

🥾 Day 3: Caderolles and Nère hourquettes

When you wake up, you have to start by retracing your steps to the small Hourquette lake, then join the hourquette de Caderolles (2,495 m) for a pretty panorama. The descent is then stony to the lakes of Port Bielh and Nère.

Once you have passed the Hourquette de Nére, which also offers a beautiful view, the path only goes down to the Tournaboup car park while following a stream.

From Refuge du Campana de Clotou to Barèges

12km • Medium •

Share your Néouvielle experience with us on social media at @hikaguide!