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HAUTES VALLÉES LUCHONNAISES

Cirque de Crabioules
©pyrenees31
Lac et refuge Espingo
Coume de Bourg
Maupas-jannovakphotography-6
Lac Vert & Lac Bleu
Lac Bleu
col du Pinata
Col du Sacroux
Cirque de la Glère

Description

An exceptional trail linking the refuges of the high Luchon valleys.
Designed to be completed in 4 to 6 days, this sporting itinerary offers a unique immersion in the grandiose landscapes of the Haut-Garonne Pyrenees.
Along the way, hikers will discover spectacular panoramas of mythical peaks such as Aneto (3404 m), Pic du Maupas (3109 m) and Pic des Crabioules (3116 m).
The lakes of Oô, Espingo, Bleu, Charles, Célinda, de la Montagnette and the Boums du Port punctuate the route, inviting you to stop off for a peaceful, refreshing break.

Designed as a long-distance trek, this route offers several variants, so that everyone can adapt their itinerary according to their physical condition and their desire for adventure.
4 stages:
- Granges d'Astau / refuge d'Espingo: 3h - D+: 850m
- Refuge d'Espingo / refuge du Maupas: 7h30 - D+: 1104m
- Refuge du Maupas / refuge de Vénasque: 9h - D+: 1335m
- Refuge de Vénasque / Hospice de France: 2h or 4h.

Technical Information

Walking
Difficulty
Hard
Dist.
38 km
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Altimetric profile

Starting point

31110   BAGNERES-DE-LUCHON
Lat : 42.789306Lng : 0.59192336

Points of interest

image du object

REFUGE DU MAUPAS

A warm and friendly little eagle's nest, the 30-seater Maupas refuge (3 bat-flancs for 10 people on 3 levels, no shower room or bathroom, a cold water point and an outside WC), invites you to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of summer by taking a step up into the heart of the Pyrenees! Away from the fine sand, but very close to peaks over 3000m and the Crabioules cirque; passing through forests of hundred-year-old beech trees, mountain pastures, streams and waterfalls! A beautiful succession of lakes teeming with fish, itineraries where you can often spot isards and vultures, beautiful rock faces to climb - all the elements are there to make your visit to Le Maupas a success.The Maupas refuge is a remarkable lookout point overlooking the Crabioules cirque and Superbagnères. Close to lakes, it is an essential stop-off point on the way to the Pic du Maupas or the Pic de Boum. It is ideally situated for a stopover on a loop between the Gouffre d'Enfer, the Cirque des Crabioules and the Lacs Bleu, Charles and Célinda. Start from the car park at the bottom of the Lys valley, above Luchon. Ascent from the Vallée du Lys: 4h - 4h30, 1300m ascent through forests, meadows and lakes. Meals, drinks and dormitory accommodation provided. Bivouacs available nearby. The Maupas refuge has a single dormitory for 30 people, 3 bat-flancs for 10 people on 3 levels. There is no shower room or bathroom, but there is a cold water point and an outside WC. A dining room seating 26. When the refuge is not guarded, there is no catering, no kitchen and no crockery available. Free access to the dining room and dormitory. Payment can be made in cash or by cheque on site (box available) or via the refuge's website. No reservations possible, no drinking water, but heating and electricity.

Vallée du Lys 31110 CASTILLON-DE-LARBOUST
- OFFICE DE TOURISME PYRENEES 31 -
Consulter
image du object

REFUGE DE VÉNASQUE

Renovated refuge at the foot of Port de Vénasque. Enjoy a night facing the Aneto in a warm, wooded setting, perfect for contemplating the peaks.The Vénasque refuge, which will be completely renovated in the summer of 2023, is located in the Luchonnais at the foot of the port of Vénasque. The string of Vénasque boums (lakes) will help you relax before taking in the magnificent panoramic view of the Aneto from the port of Vénasque, a 1/2-hour walk away. If you're feeling more sporty, head up to the Sauvegarde peak for a 360° view of the Luchonnais, the Posets and the Maladeta. The easy route will allow everyone to enjoy a hot meal or a cool drink, depending on the weather! Partner of the Refuges en Famille Pyrénées network. The accommodation comprises 3 dormitories: 4 beds separated by partitions, making a total of 12 beds. 2 showers (with a €3 token system, as the refuge is self-sufficient in water). Two dry toilets and 1 urinal. A wood-burning stove in the dining room will keep you warm. Outside the guarding period, reservations are now required for anyone wishing to stay overnight at the refuge, in order to reduce overcrowding and improve reception conditions. The reliable payment of overnight stays also helps to finance the maintenance of the building and the consumables available on site. Bookings are made online via the "book" tab, excluding caretaking, and full payment is made at the time of booking, followed by confirmation by email.

Lieu-dit Hospice de France 31110 BAGNERES-DE-LUCHON
- OFFICE DE TOURISME PYRENEES 31 -
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Additional information

Signage

Yellow

Detailed stages

Stage 1 - Granges d'Astau / Refuge d'Espingo - The trail starts from the Astau barns. The track is wide - the slope gentle and regular and mainly wooded. After a few minutes' walk, look out for the "souffrée" rock on your left. Further on, the track straightens out a little and twists upwards. As you emerge from the forest, you can see a small stone bridge, the Lac d'Oô dam (1439m) and the eponymous refuge on the right.
- Continue straight ahead. The path overlooks Lac d'Oô. On the way up, you cross two small waterfalls, which in hot weather are a welcome cool-down point. The path continues to climb and you pass a flat rock with a splendid view of the waterfall over Lac d'Oô. Continue on, leaving the GR10 heading towards Superbagnères on your left.
- A few minutes later you reach the Col d'Espingo (1967m). The refuge is on your right and the lake just below. As this is a short stage, you can continue to Lac de Saussat (10 mins).
Stage 2: Refuge d'Espingo / Refuge du Maupas - From the refuge, descend to the fork in the path where you will find the GR10 on the right. The path climbs steadily up to Hourquette des Hounts Secs (2257 m) and continues towards Coume de Bourg (2272 m). Make the most of the exceptional views. Descend the pass, leaving the GR10 200m further on as it heads towards Superbagnères, and follow the "GRP HVL - Cabane de Sarnès - refuge du Maupas" route on the right.
- The path climbs towards the small pass in front of you. It then continues along a balcony, leaving the Coume de Nère hut (2157m) on the left - signposted. You are overlooking the Vallée du Lis (Lit means avalanche in local dialect). Continue along the stony path up to the ridge in front of you (steep but not difficult). Admire the Cirque des Crabioules.
- Start descending (steep passage) towards the Sarnès hut (2240m, occupied by the shepherd) - signposted. Once you reach the small Prat Long EDF canal that collects rainwater and water from the Cirque des Crabioules, walk alongside it. Cross a 1st rocky spur and continue along the path to the EDF pumping station.
- After the station, turn right and follow the normal route up to the Maupas refuge (2450m) (you'll see the path you'll be taking tomorrow on your left).
Stage 3: Refuge du Maupas / Refuge de Vénasque - This stage includes aerial sections at the lakes, which may stop people prone to vertigo. If this is the case, take the route back down to the Vallée du Lis via Lac Vert. After Lac Vert, on the descent, a path leads off to the right to reach the Col du Pinata.
- From the refuge, head towards Lac Bleu (1h). Shortly afterwards, you cross a rocky ridge equipped with a handrail. The descent continues without difficulty to Lac Bleu (2265m - 1h). Take the metal footbridge across the Honorine dam to the other side of the lake. Follow the path as it rises in front of you. You have a bird's eye view of Lac Vert.
- The path leads around the Pic de Grauès, climbing a steep area equipped with handrails. Although not technically difficult in dry weather, this aerial section can be a little impressive. After crossing the ridge, you can easily reach Lac Charles (2291 m - 30 mins) on a slightly downhill path. Cross the small dam and continue straight ahead along a pretty path on the mountainside to reach Lake Célinda (2395 m - 30 mins) without difficulty.
- You have a beautiful view of the Lis valley. Follow the clearly visible path that crosses in front of you to a ridge. The path follows this ridge to quickly reach the Col de Pinata (2152 m - 45 mins). Turn right, overlooking a cirque. The path continues almost flat but with a few aerial sections. You soon reach the Col de Sacroux (2034m).
- Descend towards the cirque de la Glère as far as the bottom of the cirque (do not take the junction halfway down the slope that leads to the Port de la Glère). To the right, the path climbs towards the bottom of the coomb, then veers to the right and rises again. Follow the path carefully and stay alert. Just before the Lac du Maille (2193 m), which depending on the season can be reduced to 2 small lakes, turn right onto the path that leads around some steep areas.
- You arrive on a ridge overlooking Lac de la Montagnette (2332 m - 25 mins). Walk alongside the lake and take the path up to the Col de la Montagnette (2421m - 15 mins). You will overlook the Boums du Port and the Vénasque refuge (2250 m), which you will reach in around twenty minutes.
Stage 4: Refuge de Vénasque / Hospice de France - Option 1- direct descent - Duration: 2 hours You can reach the Hospice de France directly via a winding descent.
- Option 2 - the most emblematic, we recommend it - Duration: 4 hours Follow the winding path from the refuge to the Port de Vénasque (30 mins). At 2444m, enjoy the unique view of the Maladetta massif and the peak of Aneto (3404m), the highest summit in the Pyrenees.
- Go downhill for a hundred metres on the Spanish side, then turn left onto the path leading to Port de la Picade. Begin the ascent to Port de la Picade and continue downhill on a stony path towards Pas de l'Escalette. Continue along the well-marked path back to France and start the descent towards the Crête de Crabidès, straight on to the Pas de Mounjoye (boundary marker no. 336).
- At the small pass, turn left towards the Roumingau pastures and the Campsaure plateau. At the crossroads, turn left and descend towards the Hospice de France.

End town

BAGNERES-DE-LUCHON

Start town

OO

Contact

Tel : 05 61 79 21 21
Website : www.pyrenees31.com
Email : info@pyrenees31.com

Data producer

Contact : HAUTE-GARONNE TOURISME / OFFICE DE TOURISME PYRÉNÉES 31
Phone : 05 61 79 21 21

This information comes from the Haute-Garonne Departmental Tourism Network and is synchronized as part of the partnership between Cirkwi and Haute-Garonne Tourisme.

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Caution!
We have no information on the difficulty of this circuit. You may encounter some surprises along the way. Before you go, please feel free to inquire more and take all necessary precautions. Have a good trip! 🌳🥾