Pic d' Arriouère / Pico del Ibonet

Pic d' Arriouère / Pico del Ibonet

Page Type Page Type: Mountain/Rock
Location Lat/Lon: 42.71625°N / 0.25990°E
Activities Activities: Hiking, Mountaineering, Mixed, Scrambling, Skiing
Seasons Season: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Additional Information Elevation: 9403 ft / 2866 m
Sign the Climber's Log

Overview

Sunrise in the Rioumajou valleySunrise on the Arriouère (left) and Aret (right) in the Rioumajou valley
Pic d  Arriouère during its ascentArriouère from Rioumajou
Sunrise on Pic d  ArriouèreSunrise on Arriouère
Moudang barns seen from Pic d  ArriouèreMoudang from Arriouère
The Moudang barnsMoudang barns

Pic d'Arriouère (peak of the stream), sometimes spelled Arriourère, in spanish "Pico del Ibonet" (peak of the small lake, after Ibón de Trigoniero, "Livonet" in some cases or Pico de Trigoniero) is a prominent peak located in the middle of a not very often visited area, a range whose other end is topped by the Pic d'Aret.

It stands on the border and (almost) overlooks three valleys: Trigoniero on the Spanish side (SW), and Rioumajou (E) and Moudang (N) on the French side. The latter is not directly seen from the Arriouère but a neighbouring peaklet, Pic de Lia, visitable in the same hike.

Wherever we come from, the climb requires a lot of attention, good orientation and lecture of the terrain, as well as easy offtracks scrambing.

One of the possible routes of ascent is particularly interesting from the cultural point of view, as it visits a restored village of barns, the Granges du Moudang, beautiful examples of the local architecture. Most huts were restored mainly for touristic and private purpose and are closed to hikers, but they are worth seeing. But both other approaches are also worth: Rioumajou valley is very photogenic, and Trigoniero lake, despite small, is beautiful.

No need to mention that the summit views, similarly as many neighmouring peaks, is gorgeous. All of our best friends (see below) are here ! With, for our Arriouère, a special mention for the splendid view to the Monte Perdido massif and the walls of the Pineta valley.














Getting There

Valley of RioumajouBeautiful Rioumajou valley

Barns near Tramezaigues at the trailhead of Pic d AretBarns near Tramezaigues
FredançonRioumajou track

Valley of RioumajouRioumajou
Valley of RioumajouRioumajou
The Moudang barnsMoudang barn
The Moudang barnsMoudang barn

By chance, all trailheads are located on the main road linking Ainsa to Lannemezan across the border, via the Bielsa tunnel.
From France and Toulouse, leave the A64 in Lannemezan and pass Saint Lary.
* The junction to the Rioumajou valley is jsut after, over Tramezaïgues. A drive at least until the Frédançon car park is necessary, and possibly in front of the Hospice.
* The junction to the Moudang valley comes next, before reaching Aragnouet, and is indicated on the left. Driving into the valley is forbidden, we must park just here.
* The trail to the Trigoniero valley is the very fist valley we see left after leaving the tunnel (or very last if we drive up), just after a little lace where the road goes on the opposite side of the river, and next to the old border toll. If you see the Parzan petrol station you're already too far.


View Larger Map

Valley of RioumajouBeautiful Rioumajou valley

Routes

Rioumajou valleyRioumajou valley during ascent

Rioumajou valley from Pic d  ArriouèreRioumajou during ascent
Pic d  Arriouère during its ascentDuring Rioumajou ascent

* From the Rioumajou valley:
This route is described here, the way I know it as it was precisely that trip. Very rough itinerary made mostly offtracks, from the hospice de Rioumajou, while leaving the waterfalls far on the right. A first corrie at 1931m, in which we circumvent north a wall and catch back the main hollow of the stream elevating west. Another serie of steps to avoid around 2400m. We get then easily to a pass reaching the south crest of the top. Brittle schist on the top, beware of the loose terrain. Another route is possible more south, reaching the top via this ridge following the main hollow while avoiding the rocky steps, just like before. The Port d'Ourdissetou trail (see route 5 of Suelza) is reached in the very end as we get back to the Hospice.
Valley of RioumajouBeautiful Rioumajou valley
Parraouis & LustouLustou from top
Batoua from Pic d  ArriouèreBatouau from top

* From the Moudang valley:
The whole Moudang valley is a long approach which requires about 2 hours of easy walk till the barns, with 600m of elevation. Using a bike can be considered in order to shorten it. Take a locker to leave it at one of the barns.
Then, we take the left half of the valley, where a trail elevates, while passing in front of a beautiful waterfall. I have never used this itinerary neither know someone who did, but according to the map the trail reaches Port du Moudang without ambiguities. Port du Moudang was a long-used historical route, before the apparition of modern transports, and the Bielsa Tunnel. The final part of Spanish route below describes how to get to the top.
The Moudang barnsMoudang barns
Pic d  ArriouèrePeak from the lake
Lago de TrigoneroTrigoniero lake

* From the Trigoniero valley:
This route (see page) is also described here in french, by some colleagues, and here is a basic translation.
From the ancient Spanish border toll, we take a small bridge crossing the Rio Barrosa, (1320m). The walk up the Trigoniero valley is made on a well defined path across superb vegetation. 2h15 after we reach the « plana el cabo », after several laces, in which we find the Trigoniero hut, 1950m, superbly located, but poorly featured. The Trigoniero is reached at 2400m, and from there the Peak Ibonet is climbed from the south ridge. 3h30 needed from the hut. Another possible route is via the pass Port du Moudang, less steep, but avoiding the beautiful lake, perhaps best for a descent.
Monte PerdidoLooking back to the Monte Perdido massif

Red Tape

The Moudang barnsMoudang barns

The Moudang barnsMoudang barns
The Moudang barnsMoudang barns

Not much red tape, except :
- Do not wildcamp in the Moudang valley near the houses. Do not use the houses except using them as a shelter in case of extreme emergency (storm, injury)
- Do not wildcamp in the Rioumajou valley except the bivouac area for this purpose
- in Spain, wildcamp far enough from the road

Accomodations

The Moudang barnsMoudang barns

Cabana de TrigonieroCabana de Trigoniero
Cabana de TrigonieroCabana de Trigoniero
Hospice du RioumajouHospice du Rioumajou
The bivouac area of the Rioumajou valley.Rioumajou bivouac area

* Bicouac :

As mentionned in the red tape, do not wildcamp in the bottom of each valley, do it over the tree line. In the Rioumajou there is a bivy area next to the hospice for this purpose.

* Unguarded huts open to hikers
- The Hospice du Rioumajou has a small empty room open in winter only, but use it only if the bicouac area is not suitable.
- The Hut of Trigoniero, a very basic hut with no much equipment (chimney out of order but clean and good roof).
- The Granges du Moudang, as mentionned, only for emergency.

* Houses :
As for standard accomodations on each side, there are numerous possibilities in the sourroundings of Bielsa, in the Gistaín valley or the
Aure Valley on the french side (also with official campsites there).

One accommodation is worth mention for large groups of people: La Filature (former spinning mill), in Ancizan, with further information here and here (French). Prices can go as low as 10€ for groups over 10 people. A separate apartment is available too but rates may vary depending on the charges being shared with others or not.

The Moudang barnsMoudang barns

Additions and CorrectionsPost an Addition or Correction

Viewing: 1-2 of 2

ojo - Oct 17, 2011 10:21 am - Voted 10/10

Hope you don't mind..

...I've written up a Route page. We had such a super day yesterday that I thought I could enlarge on what you have on the main page. You give a translation in French, so I suppose you haven't done the peak from this angle? All the best, jane.

visentin

visentin - Oct 17, 2011 10:48 am - Hasn't voted

Re: Hope you don't mind..

No I haven't, and your page is very welcome !

Viewing: 1-2 of 2


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