The Ossau Valley in 4 days
South of Pau, the Ossau valley follows its river up to the Spanish border beneath the outline of the Pic du Midi d'Ossau, 2,884 metres. Take the little Artouste train at 2,000 metres to the lake of the same name, walk up to the Ayous lakes, drive over the Aubisque and taste the ewe's milk cheese of the summer pastures.
The plan, day by day
Day 1
- Morning
The Artouste train2 to 3 hA line cut into the mountainside in the 1920s to build the Artouste dam, billed by its operators as the highest tourist train in Europe.
- Afternoon
Lac de Fabrègesfree · about 1 hA green reservoir at 1,241 metres, below the Artouste ski area, held back by a concrete arch dam and stocked with trout and char.
Day 2
- All day
The Ayous lakes and the Pic du Midi d'Ossaufree · a full dayFrom Bious-Artigues through forest and pasture to the Roumassot, Miey and Gentau lakes, where the old volcanic peak is reflected below the Ayous hut.
Day 3
- Morning
Eaux-Bonnesfree · about 1 hA small spa town whose spring once treated soldiers' wounds, its 19th-century hotels grouped around the Darralde garden in a steep, narrow valley.
- Afternoon
Larunsfree · about 1 hThe main town of the upper valley, with stone houses and slate roofs around the town hall square; its land runs to Spain.
- Late afternoon
Col d'Aubisquefree · about 30 minA 1,709-metre pass reached by a corniche road above the Litor cirque, built in the 19th century as a spa road.
Day 4
- Morning
The Bénou plateaufree · about 1 hOpen grassland above Bielle, on the road to the Col de Marie-Blanque, where sheep, cows and horses graze in summer: shepherding life in plain view.
- Afternoon
The Camin d'Aussau by bikefree · about 1 h 30A 25 km route from Buzy station to Eaux-Bonnes, partly on the old railway, through farmland and villages below the Pic du Midi.
Where to sleep in the Ossau Valley
- Hôtel de France · €70 a night
- Hôtel L'Ayguelade · €110 a night
Plan this trip
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