The Ossau circuit by bivouac
In summary
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Sports
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Duration2 days
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LevelConfirmed
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DestinationPyrénées-Atlantiques / Ossau Valley
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AgeFrom 14 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions3.24 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
Spanish
English
In a few words
Venture into an exceptional mountain environment , the majestic Pic du Midi d'Ossau, located at 2,884 meters in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques. This two-day hike offers you the opportunity to discover the wildest places, from trails to hidden paradises. With an overnight bivouac , the circuit begins in Bious-Artigues and offers magnificent landscapes and varied panoramas throughout the first day. On the second day, you'll admire a succession of lakes, each more beautiful than the last. In short, the best of the Pyrenees in two days.
The highlights
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The famous silhouette of the Pic du Midi d'Ossau over both days, and on all sides
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An authentic and intense pastoral culture to the sound of cowbells
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The flora and fauna of the Pyrenees National Park
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
The expert's opinion
A route with two very different days: a first day with a significant positive elevation gain, and some off-trail sections, but the terrain remains generally quite easy apart from a few sections in a chaotic area.
A second day with long descents but on fairly rolling mountain terrain.
The weight of the bag (10-12kg) is an element not to be overlooked.
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 8h
- Average distance/day: 8 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 800 m
- Average daily descent: 750 m
Management
Spanish
English
Guided by a state-certified mountain guide who knows the area perfectly. He will introduce you to the fauna and flora and tell you the history of this pastoral mountain.
Program
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Bious Artigues – Peyreget Lake
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 8h
- Distance 15 km
- Positive elevation gain 1100 m
- Negative elevation 300 m
- Accommodation Bivouac / Tent
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
The hike begins in Bious Artigues. After a climb through a beautiful beech forest, the landscape opens up, revealing a panoramic ridge offering breathtaking views of the valley and the majestic Pic du Midi d'Ossau. Along the way, the route passes at the foot of the peak and by the Pombie refuge, before reaching a wild bivouac site on the shores of Lake Peyreget.
Day 1 -
Lake Peyreget – Lake Ayous – Bious Artigues
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 8h
- Positive elevation gain 500 m
- Negative elevation 1200 m
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
A first descent takes us into the pastoral valley of Magnabaigt. Then, during a magnificent loop, we will link the lakes up to the famous Lake Ayous and their breathtaking views of the Pic du Midi d'Ossau.
Back to Bious Artigues.
Day 2
Note
The program may be modified without prior notice by the guide depending on the conditions encountered during the stay: weather, group form, may influence the chosen itinerary.
Accommodation
Individual tent or 2 or 3 person tent (depending on your reservation: individual or for several people).
Access
Carpooling organized between Laruns and the starting point of the hike (Bious Artigues, 15 minutes away by car).
Go to the starting point
The nearest national train station is in Pau (40 km, 45 minutes)
Several regional trains also serve Oloron (30 km, 35 minutes),
By bus: Laruns is served by a bus network departing from Pau or Oloron
Special shuttles are organized during the holidays to reach the Bious-Artigues car park.
Motorway to Pau, then departmental road D 934 to Laruns.
Price details
The price includes
- The framework
- Camping equipment (tents, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, backpack)
- Professional liability insurance
The price does not include
- Meals
- Personal expenses
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
- 1 backpack of approximately 40-50L
- 1 tent
- 1 floor mat
- 1 sleeping bag sheet or "meat sack"
- 1 duvet (comfort temperature 5°C)
- 1 headlamp
Equipment to bring
MEALS:
Meals should be provided (unless otherwise stated). Here are our recommendations:
• Pack snacks for lunch,
• Snacks, cereal bars, etc. for small hunger pangs,
• For evening meals:
– some savory biscuits,
– freeze-dried soup,
– a freeze-dried meal (portion, Chinese noodles or other),
– a small dessert (like applesauce in a pouch, chocolate),
We will take care of bringing a camping stove to prepare the meal.
Of course, if you wish, you can accompany the meal with a small bottle…
• Breakfast
– a hot water-based drink (tea or coffee),
– a few biscuits or brioche rolls,
– chocolate bars,
– compotes or dessert creams in a gourd.
Clothing to bring
- 1 long-sleeved t-shirt (preferably made of synthetic material).
- 3 short-sleeved t-shirts (preferably made of synthetic material)
- 1 thin long-sleeved fleece
- 1 warm and thick garment (sweater, thick fleece, down jacket...)
- 1 waterproof jacket
- 1 short
- 1 pair of mountain trousers
- 1 change of jogging pants for the evening
- 1 beanie
- 1 pair of thin gloves
- 1 cap or a hat
- 3 pairs of hiking socks
- Hiking boots with a lugged sole.
