Estructure: Los Pirineos/Les Pyrénées (range)>Bigorre (area or valley)

The area called Bigorre it's artificial but it's useful to know the maps to use, the mountains in the area and to planning the stay in the zone. We can say that is located at south of Bagnères of Bigorre to the border with Spain, although the border zone is more preferably in the area Gavarnie-Ordesa and its mountains should be sought there. In order to show the area I've divided in some massifs, groups or villages according with the best option (not always a village ir nearby of the massif or the peaks but it's the best option if it's possible).

Getting There

Approach to Bagnères de Bigorre:

-France:
--From NW: direction to Pau and Tarbes. In Tarbes take D-935 to Bagnères.
--From NE: direction to Toulousse. In Toulousse take N-117 to Lannemezan and D-938 to Bagnères.

-Spain:
--From SW: entry in France across Irun-Hendaye. In Bayonne take A-64 (pay) to Pau and Tarbes. D-935 to Bagnères.
--From SE: take direction to Ainsa and Bielsa, across the tunnel of Bielsa is the entry in France to Arreau. Take D-935 to reach Bagnères across col d’Aspin.

Argelès-Gazost

The mountains near of the village of Argelès-Gazost has in the Pibeste (1349m) the most important summit but to the west exist another higher summits as Prat du Rey (1525m), Soum de Conques (1759m), Soum de Granquet (1881m) or Pic de l'Estibète (1851m) in direction to the area of Gourette.

Cauterets-Lutour

Lacs d'Ardiden & Viscos

Ardiden

The zone of village of Cauterets has many attractions to the winter sports as some ski resorts (Lys, Luz-Ardiden,...) but as well some interesting mountains like the Cabaliros (2334m), the pyramid of Pic de Viscos (2141m), really impressive from the valley, or the Soum des Aulhères (2168m) with the constructions of the ski station.

Lutour is a beautiful valley at south of Cauterets with important mountains. The Pic Ardiden (2988m) is the highest in an area with a lot of nice lakes.

-Another mountains, always near of the 3000 meters are: Chanchou (2949m), Cestrede (2947m), Pébignau (2895m), Malh Arrouy (2965m), Soum d’Aspé (2968m), Estom-Subiran (2829m) or Labas (2946m).

-Refuges: Hotellerie La Fruitère, Refuge d'Estom, Free refuge Russell.

Midi de Bigorre

The zone between the valleys of Lesponne (west) and Campan-Gripp (east) that begin in direction south from Bagnères de Bigorre, the most important city of the area, it has his culmination in the impressive Pic du Midi de Bigorre (2872m), one of the most polemical summits because the existence of the cableway to the summit, the restaurant, the hotel,… in spite of it, it's one of the most great mountains of the full area.

-Another peaks: Montaigu (2339m), Pic d'Ayré (2416m), Caoubere (2496m), Espade (2467m), Quatre Thermes (2724m), Aygues-Cluses (2620m).

Quatre Thermes

Montaigu

Cirque de Troumouse-La Munia

Cirque de Troumouse

Nice place with the great cirque over the Lacs des Aires, it has the highest summit in La Munia (3133m) with other peaks importants as Sierra Morena (3090m), Troumouse (3085m) or Heid (3022m), over the border with Spain. The lonely peak of Robiñera (3003m) is in Spanish side.
Trailheads:
-french: Barroude, Cirque de Troumousse (Aires).
-spanish: Chisagüés-Piedramula.

Néouvielle-Pic Long

Pic Long

Néouvielle

The important Réserve Naturelle de Néouvielle is a beautiful area with great lakes, high mountains, pretty nature enviroment,…and a lot of people because it's the most popular of the area. The name Néouvielle mean “old snow” but really the glaciers are smaller each year. It's divided in two massifs:

-Néouvielle massif: Néouvielle (3091m), Ramougn (3011m), Trois Conseillers (3039m), Turon de Néouvielle (3035m).
Trailhead in Lac d'Aubert or in the Refuge de La Glère.

-Pic Long massif : Pic Long (3192m), Badet (3160m), Maou (3074m), Campbieil (3173m), Estaragne (3006m).
Trailhead in the Barrage (dam) de Cap de Long.

Arreau-St Lary Soulan

Arbizon

Culfreda / Batoua

Near of the village of Arreau, in its SW, it's the impressive Arbizon (2831m), a little massif with other peaks as Montaucon (2712m), Montarrouye (2568m) or Bastan d'Aulon (2721m).

At south of St Lary Soulan are the valleys of Aure, Moudang and Rioumajou with the most important summit in the Pic d'Aret (2939m). Other peaks: Cuneille (2628m), Tramezaigues (2572m). The valley of Rioumajou is in the west face of the great peaks over 3000m of the Bachimala Massif and this mountains are included in the area of Bielsa (Spanish side). Normally only the peaks Lustou (3023m) or Culfreda / Batoua (3034m) has routes from French side.

Lustou

Red Tape

The south part of the area is in the National Park of Pyrenees with rules about the camping. The overnight camping is allowed, if your tent is located at least 1 hour away from any road or mountain hut.

The Reserve Naturelle de Néouvielle is the same case.

You must see the peaks of these zones to read most information about the rules.

External Links

Add External Links text here.

Camping

The free camping it's not allowed.

Images



[ View Gallery - 120 More Images ]