Lac Bleu d’Ilhéou and the Pic de Nets

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stuartbutler

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Trail stats

Distance: 9.22 mi
Elevation gain: 3,609 ft
Technical difficulty: Moderate
Elevation loss: 3,609 ft
Max elevation: 7,948 ft
TrailRank: 52
Min elevation: 4,444 ft
Trail type: Loop

Moving time: 3 hours 43 minutes
Time: 4 hours 45 minutes
Coordinates: 2593
Uploaded: September 19, 2021
Recorded: September 2021

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near Cauterets, Occitanie (France)

Viewed 435 times, downloaded 17 times

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Itinerary description

Walk to lake and refuge up a blessed valley is ideal family walk to a elf green lake and good refuge. Beyond to summit is more challenging but nothing too hard. First part to pass leads to stunning steep views to marcadau valley after rocky asce t and then a quiet walk to summit along a steep ridge for amazing views into valley and down to lake. To summit and back is 5.5hrs. to lake is 2hrs 45

Waypoints

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Drive up route de cambasque for 3km. At point where road turns to gravel road is large parking area at base of ski station. Park here and follow the narrower vehicle track up the valley behind large grey hanger. Heading straight south.

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Trail runs easily uphill between tightly packed peaks

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After couple hundred metres at junction and a barrier over road leave this driveable track for footpath signed for refuge (1.5hrs) which heads straight south up valley gently

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After 1.25 km and 20min pass a small waterfall next to nat park signs on left. Carry on straight ahead and a moment later cross stream via small bridge

Flora

Following gr10 signs bit not many of them but doesn't matter because can't get lost

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A few min on from bridge and a subtly marked turn off on left for gr trail. There's a cairn and red white paint stripes indicating turn off and a cross painted on rock on main route. Turn off the obvious track and onto grassy footpath of gr 10 which leads along flank of hill. If you miss this turn off it's no great shakes as track takes u to lake too in about same time

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After only a moment on this path you will see a large waterfall a km or so ahead.

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The gr trail runs only about 100m above main track. Families and weaker walkers stick to main track which is little longer but climbs more gently

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After about an hr u should be bang level with waterfall and the trail flattens (on way back ubwill pass by foot of falls)

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At this same point hit the main trail again which has bent round to north. I are on area of rubble. Cross straight over and continue on gr trail south and up again over rubble

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After a further 5min climb over quite slippery rock hit the main track again turn right and follow it gently upwards

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50m later turn off it again to left for short sharp climb up gr trail to gap in cliff face

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This gap gives onto a lovely small pasture with a stream. Refuge now visible just ahead

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On reaching main track following up to refuge 5 min away

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Pass small lac noir just below refuge

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Hr 45 from start reach lake in it's amphitheatre of steep peaks. Busy refuge at north end.

Intersection

To refuge is 4.5km one way

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For peak or pass go along left east side of lake on gr trail toward pass

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Two thirds way along lake and by bivouac area bend se and uphill leaving lake behind. Still on gr it's now a club toward pass

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Good view from a ridge ten min above lake

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Path zig zags up over rocky but easy terrain toward fingers of mountain with amazo g views of ever green lake behind

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After he climb hit a flat grassy ridge just shy of col (though this is also pass). Walk 20m straight east over this to view over marcadau valley and pont d'espagne parking. Turn sharp left here up unmarked trail toward summit. (North). The main gr trail to pass carries on south for few more min and goes very steep up on series of zig zags. If u reach these you've gone too far.

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Path goes along eastern edge of mountain ridge with steep drop down to marcadau valley. It's cairned and is gentle easy climb

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After ten min climb path slips over ridge and into gentler grassy ascent to aummit

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Be careful on wet icy day as big drop but last two hundred m is much less nerve wracking

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Last few metres over jumble of scree

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Summit view 30minnfrom gr turn off

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On clear days spu the Vignemale ice Field tobsouth

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Coming back down follow same route except when u hit driveable track just above waterfall instead of going on gr along the slope turn left and stick to the wide trail which sweeps right past multi layer waterfall for close up view. . Afterwards remain on this track all the way back to car. It's a nice fast gentle descent.

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Falls

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