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 5 Chapel near Refuge Wallon, Marcadau Valley. |
OPTION
1 Refuge Wallon Start: Pont d'Espagne Destination: Refuge Wallon End: Pont d'Espagne Estimated time: 4-5 hours, round trip Elevation gain: 1,332 feet Highest point: 6,119 feet Total distance: Approximately 7.5 miles, round trip |
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Start this hike just below Pont d'Espagne at 4,787
feet elevation. The first 0.5 mile, or so, to the Chalet du Clot (4,994
feet) is on a small service road. From the Chalet du Clot, cross the
meadow to the right to find the old path that continues up valley on the
left bank of
the Gave du Marcadau (stream). The trail traverses lush meadows punctuated
by tall pines. Straight ahead, enjoy fine
views up the valley toward the peaks on the Spanish border. The path
reaches the Pont du Cayan (5,381 feet) about two miles and one
hour from the start of the hike. Cross the bridge and continue up the valley,
climbing now on a rough jeep track which eventually becomes trail, to
Refuge Wallon, about 3.75 miles from the start. Refuge Wallon sits amid
grassy meadows, laced by winding streams and picturesque clumps of pine.
Refuge Wallon intermittently serves beverages, soup, and light meals.
Retrace your steps to return to the starting point. |
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 5 Lac Nère, Circuit des Lacs. |
OPTION 2 Marcadau Lakes Circuit Start: Pont d'Espagne Destination: Loop hike via Refuge Wallon, Lac Nère, Lac du Pourtet End: Pont d'Espagne Estimated time: 9.5 hours Elevation gain: 3,153 feet Highest point: 7,940 feet Total distance: Approximately 9.6 miles |
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| A long day on the trail but a superb and highly scenic journey recognized as one of the classic walks of the Pyrenees. Follow the route for Option 1 as far as Refuge Wallon. From Refuge Wallon, a well-graded, sometimes rocky mountain trail ascends 1,457 feet through pines and alpine meadows to beautiful rock-rimmed Lac Nère (7,576 feet), 1.5 hours walking from Refuge Wallon. The trail continues its climb, winding through a rocky landscape, to the highest point on the route, Lac Pourtet at 7,940 feet (40 minutes walk from Lac Nère). From Lac Pourtet, the trail descends a valley (sometimes steeply) past the the string of lakes known as the Lacs de l'Embarrat and in 2.5 hours arrives at the Pont du Cayan from where you can follow either the left or right banks of the Gave du Marcadau back to the starting point. | ||
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© Walking
Softly Adventures, Inc., PO Box 86250, Portland, OR 97286 |
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