Labigouer
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Labigouer (2175m) - overview This itinerary offers two alternative walks. The first is an ascent of the summit on well marked paths followed by a descent by the same route. The second describes an alternative descent along the ridges shown to the left of the peak in the photograph. While neither alternative involves any technical challenge the ridge descent is considerably longer. The path to the peak passes through areas where a variety of birds and animals, including eagles, vultures and isards, are frequently seen. Views from Labigouer reveal most of the peaks in the cirque and, also, rare vistas of the Valley D’Aspe towards Bedous. The ridge, however, provides a space-walking experience with dramatic scenery developing and changing on both sides of the trail. The main disadvantage of the latter option is the 2km walk on tarmac from the village of Lhers back to the car park, made more palatable, though, in summer, by the Gite D’Etape selling welcome refreshments. Laigouer (furthest right) seen from Lescun. The summit of Labigouer with the Pic Du Midi D’Ossau in the background
description
A five star walk with an alternative descent along a mind-blowing ridge.
Transcript of Labigouer
Labigouer (2175m) - overview
This itinerary offers two alternative walks. The first is an ascent of the summit on well marked paths followed by a descent by the same route. The second describes an alternative descent along the ridges shown to the left of the peak in the photograph. While neither alternative involves any technical challenge the ridge descent is considerably longer.
The path to the peak passes through areas where a variety of birds and animals, including eagles, vultures and isards, are frequently seen.Views from Labigouer reveal most of the peaks in the cirque and, also, rare vistas of the Valley D’Aspe towards Bedous. The ridge, however, provides a space-walking experience with dramatic scenery developing and changing on both sides of the trail.
The main disadvantage of the latter option is the 2km walk on tarmac from the village of Lhers back to the car park, made more palatable, though, in summer, by the Gite D’Etape selling welcome refreshments.
Laigouer (furthest right) seen from Lescun.
The summit of Labigouer with the Pic Du Midi D’Ossau in the background
Labigouer (2175m) – the routesStart Timing Denivelation Terrain Season
Parking Aumet. Lhers
Summit: 2h 30mDescent: 2hRidge descent: 3h
1037mRidge descent : +100m
Mountain path May - October
• Waypoint 1 (N42 53.480 W0 38.066; alt. 1138m) – Parking Aumet. Continue SSE on the obvious track. As the route winds up to the Cabane Caillau watch out for short cuts, often marked by yellow signs.At the last of the shot cuts head SSE towards a large boulder which you pass on the left. • Waypoint 2 (N42 52.419 W0 38.406; alt. 144m1) – Soon after passing the boulder the route crosses an open grassy area. The Cabane Caillau is 200m to the right and there is plenty of evidence of shepherding. Continue SSE to another yellow sign indicating the path to the Col de Saoubathou and Labigouer. Follow this for 20 minutes to …
•Waypoint 3 (N42 52.197 W0 38.223; alt. 1596m) By now the summit will have come in to view to the NE. Leave the main path and head back NE, traversing the hillside to arrive at a grassy shoulder…
• Waypoint 4 (N42 52.452 W0 38.047; alt. 1678) From the shoulder zigzag ENE up the slopes below the Col de Souperret on the obvious trail.(Groups of Izard are commonly seen here.)
• Waypoint 5 (N42 52.572 W0 37.505; alt. 1920m) – Col de Souperret. (From here, looking East on a clear day, it is possible to see the snows of Baliatous, one of the range’s 300m peaks and, closer, the unmistakable outline of the Pic Du Midi D’Ossau.)Follow the signposted route N. After a few minutes, where the path comes close to the steep slopes of the valley, and before it passes a prominent red rock to the left, it meets the western ridge of Labigouer at …
• Waypoint 6 (N42 52.855 W0 37.498; alt. 2038m) This point is often marked by small cairns. Continue ENE on grass and red schist, taking the easiest route up the ridge to the summit rocks.
• Waypoint 7 (N42 52.848 W0 37.222; alt. 2175m) – The summit of Labigouer.From here, either descend by the same route or follow the ridge descent.
A walker begins the ridge descent.
The ridge decent• From the summit either descend NW to a cairned depression that runs N before meeting the route which contours the hill to the Col de Labigouer, or follow the obvious ridge NNE to the same col.
• Waypoint 8 (N42 52.848 W0 37.222; alt.2168) – Col de Labigouer.Climb the small hill to the NE and continue over
the grassy top to pick up a stony track that descends the slope until meeting another lower path. Turn right here and continue down steeply NE to the Col des Pises.
•Waypoint 9 (N42 53.324 W0 36.859; alt. 1891m) – Col des PisesFrom here continue NNE, then NE, along this stunning ridge. Whilst enjoying the scenery on both sides of the trail take a moment to register the lie of the land in the Cirque de Lescun, for here it is possible to study the relative positions of each of the valleys leading off from the plateau.
The end of the ridge is marked by a cairn and the way veers back NNW, still on the ridge, towards the Col Barrancq.
• Waypoint 10 (N42 54.260 W0 36.230; alt. 1601) – Col Barrancq.The yellow signpost indicates the beginning of the wooded descent to Lhers. In less than ten minutes the path meets a “piste” or track. Continue down to the second bend where the trail, once again, enters the forest. (Some red and white painted waymarks on trees.)Ten minutes later the piste is met once again. Follow it until it leaves the forest when a large cairn on the left marks the beginning of a shortcut to the village of Lhers.About an hour after leaving the Col Barrancq the route arrives at the road.
• Waypoint 11 (N42 54.859 W0 36.956; alt. 1015) Turn left and walk back to the Parking Ahmet passing the Gite D’Etape (Refreshments and water).
The Col des Pises and the ridge beyond
