The 8 most beautiful hikes to do around Pau

At the foot of the Pyrenees, in the heart of the Béarn landscapes, the hiking routes around Pau are the opportunity to discover the beautiful region around the city: don’t leave without your walking shoes!

It is not necessary to travel kilometers to discover the first interesting hiking trails around Pau: directly on the banks of the Gave that crosses the city, through the vineyards of the nearby Jurançon or the reliefs of the hills Béarn announcing the mountains, with the chain Pyrenees On the backdrop, the natural frame is beautifully ready for walking.

The most beautiful hikes in Pau are generally neither too long nor too demanding physically, which allows all levels of hikers to embark on these paths. Good shoes are usually enough material level, with sticks for those who are accustomed. In the summer, think about taking water in sufficient quantity to cope with heat.

It is in the spring that the conditions are the best for hiking around Pau, in a green and flowery Bearn, where the Pyrenean crests are still bleached by the snow... this is the time to get on the way!

1. The tower of the lake of Gabas

On the road to Tarbes, 35 minutes drive , here is a pretty and peaceful hike around Pau, taking as a setting the banks of Lake Gabas. This beautiful stretch of calm water is still artificial, the natural setting remains no less beautiful. A whole walking route makes the turn of the lake, with explanatory panels on the way.

The landscapes are varied from end to end, and the dimensions of the lake of Gabas allow you to walk quietly for close to 2:30 . From an easy level, a family trip without age distinction.

2. The Bastard Forest

Just outside the city, it is enough 15 minutes by car and hardly more by bike to reach Bastard’s state-of-the-art forest and offer a nice hike around Pau: a popular holiday destination in Palois, for walking as well as for various outdoor activities.

In total, Bastard’s forest is swept by a dozen kilometers of trails: the route presented here makes you make the big tour of the estate, but it is quite possible to cut through the forest to improvise other routes. Note that the Way of Arles, which is part of the path of Santiago de Compostela (GR653), crosses Bastard's state forest: enjoy it to make a piece of pilgrimage!

3. The banks of the Gave de Pau

No need to go far to find a nice hike around Pau: go to the Eaux Vives stadium, at 20 minutes walk from the city centre and 5 minutes by car , to quickly get out of the urban setting along the banks of the Gave de Pau.

This river that passes through the city benefits from a green and refreshing environment, with its active waters and small islands of stones agglutinated by the current. An easy-to-return route that is easy to prolong more for more enduring walkers.

4. Notre-Dame de Pistate and the Sanctuary Wood

This hike around Pau invites you to immerse yourself in the natural landscapes of Béarn, while confronting you with a bit of denial, the history of exercising your legs. The departure is in Baliros, 20 minutes drive from Pau .

The trail, marked from end to end, climbs dry to reach, on the heights, the Notre-Dame de Pistate chapel and its sanctuary: the architecture of the building is interesting, almost as much as the point of view on the surroundings and the summits of the Pyrenees, superb!

The continuation of the route goes through the wood of the Sanctuary, before returning to the starting point. A beautiful exit.

5. The Karstic Trail of Olon-Sainte-Marie

We have to count about 45 minutes drive to join the departure of this interesting hike around Pau, on the side of Oloron-Sainte-Marie. The aim is to follow a path developed on the theme of karst and its spectacular underground formations, not in theory, but in practice.

In fact, the karstic trail leads through wood and ferns to discover here a cave, there of a gouff, with walkways and explanatory panels to understand all the formations created by erosion, under the layer of vegetation and our own feet! A pedagogical and nice outing, especially with the youngest.

6. The path of the Crests of Morlaàs

Close, close 20 minutes drive , this hike around Pau is ideal for getting green, without leaving far. Direction Morlaàs for the departure of the itinerary, in the center of the village. The path gradually leaves the houses to gain the fields, then rises on the wooded peaks that dominate Morlaàs.

A quiet plot that accumulates a little distance and denial, marked and uncommon, with a prime point of view on the city of Pau, the Bearnese countryside, and the Pyrenean chain.

7. The hills of Jurançon

A neighboring town of Pau, Jurançon is above all known throughout France and beyond for the quality of its soft white wines. Just outside the city, 10 minutes by car , well-exposed wine hillsides are the right terrain for a beautiful hike around Pau.

The atmosphere quickly becomes campagnarde, with the passage of many wooded areas and small streams. On the way, do not miss various points of sights on the surrounding area: Pau and its castle in the first time, then the Pyrenees and its summits, with the Pic du Midi of Bigorre and the Ossau on the horizon.

8. The tower of Lake Ayguelongue

Let’s finish with a hike around Pau in the form of a nice walk, making the tour of Lake Ayguelongue. No difficulty to predict, the path is as easy as flat, for a very simple loop-shaped route along the banks. A way out with the kids, even the youngest.

The atmosphere of the place, peaceful, is ideally suited to the observation of birds who have chosen residence in the calm waters of Lake Ayguelongue. At the end of the day, with the declining light reflected on the water, the panorama offered on the Pyrenees is superb. We reach Lake Ayguelongue in 20 minutes from the center of Pau .