The 6 most beautiful hikes to do in Bagnères-de-Luchon

Just south of the Haute-Garonne, border of Spain, Bagnères-de-Luchon is truly located on the edge of the Pyrenees. If its ski resort, Superbagnères, is full in winter, it is the hike in Bagnères-de-Luchon that seduces from the spring and throughout the summer.

Indeed, the altitude paths are gradually liberated with the snow melt and the spring red: the Pyrenees in the beautiful season are a paradise for hikers! The clarity of light, the freshness of the atmosphere, a moderate tourist frequentation, and all these mountains to explore, welcome to Bagnères-de-Luchon.

The advantage with the surrounding paths is that all levels of walkers should find their account: of course, many hikes in Bagnères-de-Luchon are destined for the strongest legs and experienced trekkers, but other routes remain more easily accessible, so that the walk remains a pleasure and not a suffering!

In the high mountain decor of Haute-Garonne, think of starting a minimum equipped for your hikes: good shoes and sticks, what to carry your water reserves and protect you from the sun, and everything goes perfectly. In case of clouds, frequent at altitudes, think about the GPS route, always very useful to not get lost during the most beautiful hikes of Bagnères-de-Luchon.

1. The gouff of Hell

Among the hikes of Bagnères-de-Luchon not to be missed, do not let yourself be intimidated by the name of hell’s gouff. This walk has the advantage of being accessible to as many as possible: the path is well marked, the gap is progressive and much of the itinerary passes in the shade of the woods.

There is therefore no major difficulty to report if it is a few slippery passages... Think about walking shoes! During the hike, you admire several cascades, the canyon and cross nice spots to picnic in a typical Pyrenean scenery, absolutely sumptuous: it is not really Hell but rather its opposite!

2. To Spain and the Port of Venasque

For some, this hike in Bagnères-de-Luchon is among the most beautiful in all the Pyrenees. Attention, however, this is a demanding march, difficult because of an important denial. Leave early in the morning and take your time!

Go to the Hospice de France, starting point of several steps, to take this well marked path to the Port of Venasque, a spectacular mountain pass that communicates with the Spain .

Then, a long ascension awaits you before descending to the Venasque refuge and its lakes, called boums in the region: the setting is beautiful for a beautiful break. Half an hour walk, the view from the Port of Venasque is unbeatable on the Aneto, the highest point of the Pyrenees (3,404 m).

3. Lake Oô

This walk takes place in one of the nearby communes, on the side of Ôo: a short journey by the road is enough to reach the starting point of this must-see Bagnères-de-Luchon hike, and even the entire Pyrenees chain!

Famous for its decor and its magnificent waterfall, Lake Oô is a natural site preserved with unparalleled photogenic potential. To get there, it’s not complicated: the path, very taken in the tourist season, is perfectly indicated, well shaded and easy to follow, with a bit of gravel to climb for the shape!

The hikers wanting a more sporty outing push to the Espingo Pass, steep and much more difficult, for the view of Espingo Lake before descending to Lake Oô.

4. The villages of Cazarilh-Laspènes and Saccourvielle

Back to Bagnères-de-Luchon, right in the city centre, for the start of this pleasant walk. The aim is to visit two charming Pyrenean villages located in the foothills of the valley, for a really nice ride, of medium difficulty overall.

First stage in Cazarilh-Laspènes, from which one observes a beautiful view of Luchon, then continuation of the mountain-side path to Saccourvielle, to mark a break and why not to recover on site.

Enjoy the atmosphere of these authentic mountain villages before descending and curling this beautiful hike in Bagnères-de-Luchon.

5. Lake Green

Hiking Bagnères-de-Luchon is not always a rest... But the reward is always up to the efforts provided! This is for example the case with this more difficult route as a whole, reserved for good walkers.

A large accumulated denial coupled to a large number of kilometers to go, sprinkled with some technical passages, here is what awaits you to reach Lake Vert, which takes its name from the color characteristic of its waters.

A revitalizing and splendid walk, punctuated by several other lakes, forests, pastures and breathtaking views of the Pyrenees.

6. The peak of Céciré

We finish these most beautiful hikes of Bagnères-de-Luchon with the climb of the peak of Ceciré, at the start of the winter sports resort of Superbagnères.

It is better to get up early to have time to get to the top and to descend, while enjoying on the road magnificent views of the most famous summits of the Pyrenees: the peak of Neouvielle, the peak of the Arbizon, Maupas, Aneto and Maladeta on the Spanish side...

The itinerary follows the mythical GR10, of course well marked, but for your safety, attention is under way to follow the new route and to abandon the old, deemed too dangerous. After the breathtaking view from the top of the Céciré peak, redescent at your rhythm to Superbagnères.