Activities

Amazing Aspe Valley

When it comes to hiking, trekking or rambling you will truly be spoilt for choice! It is hard to beat the Aspe Valley because it is one of the wildest and less commercialised parts of the Pyrenees. For a long time it has remained off the tourist beaten track and is at the heart of the national park. The most picturesque and beautiful Pyrenean peaks are found around this valley.

The valley is at the crossroads of the ancient and famous footpaths: The «GR 10» a route that follows the chain of the Pyrenean peaks from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic and the «GR 653» the pilgrimage route of St James that goes to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

Fountains Of Escot

At the begining of the 1900s «Auberge Fontaines d’Escot» was practically the only hotel in the Aspe Valley and was regularly visited by mountaineers as a base camp. Today we are still welcoming hikers in our family run «Bed & Breakfast» and «Self-catering» accommodation!

One of these French pioneers, that visited Fountains Of Escot, was Dr Gaston Boisson Who wrote some of the earliest French mountaineering books. He documented in the 1930s the trail that goes from Fountains Of Escot to the peak of the Roumendarès. Today the itenerary is simply known as «L’itinéraire Boisson»

Edelweiss Ridge

The Boisson itinerary, on its way to the Roumendarès, passes through the «Edelweiss Ridge». In July and August the north slope of this ridge is magnificently covered with Edelweiss and Chardon Bleu. A Pyrenean spectacle!

Around Fountains Of Escot

The altitude of Fountains Of Escot is only 310m and next to the property we have two mountains.

To the East the Roumendarès peak at 1,646m between the Aspe Valley and the Ossau Valley.

To the West the «Trône du Roi» peak at 1,266m between the Aspe and Barétous valleys. From Fountains Of Escot this peak looks like a pyramid. Apparently the king of France knelt in front of it, for no known reason, and thats why it’s called «The Throne of the King».

The well known Ollivier hikers, father and son, have also written several books. In particular «Vallee d’Aspe Randonnees» is all about this valley and is available on-line. In this book you can find the itineraries to the «Trône du Roi» and the «Roumendarès» from Fountains Of Escot.

The «French Alpine Club" regularly uses the above itineraries ( see their «Trip Reports» ). There is also a very well marked trail starting from our local village of Sarrance all the way up to the Trône du Roi.

All Seasons

There is hiking all year round even during winter time with snowshoes. All hiking trails are well marked including the highest ones in the heart of the national park. There are endless number of hikes in the Aspe Valley and some are just breathtaking.

• Chemin de la Mâture
  The trail was carved in the rock by the Royal French Navy in the 18th century. The best and biggest trees were in the Aspe Valley and the Navy needed them for the masts of the royal war ship (mâture = mast). The route passes the «Fort du Portalet». and is part of the «GR 10 Stage» that goes East from the valley.
• Borce to Lescun
  This is a stage of the GR 10 going West from the valley.
• Lescun to Pierre Saint-Martin
  This is the next stage of the GR 10 going West from the valley. A «CDT64 Itinerary» , is available in pdf format.

• Lake of Estaens
• Lake and Refuge of Arlet
• Caillau, Labigouer Peak and Col of Saoubathou
• Plateau de la Gentiane
• Col of Pétragème and Ansabère Peak
• Col of Iseye
• Lake of Lhurs
• Pass of Azuns and Osque
• Cirque of Larry and Ayous Peak
• Mail Arrouy
  This is very local just next to the village of Escot. A «Oloronais Itinerary» is available in pdf format.

There are another 20+ «Piémont Oloronais Itineraries» for those prefering lower grounds!

We have some hiking books and maps that you can borrow when you get here.

Local Hiking Guides

Some useful contacts for organised hikes during summer or winter (with snow raquettes) are as follows:

• Eric et Françoise Corno
  Osse-en-Aspe
  e-mail
  +33 (0)5 59 34 86 15
  website
• Aspyrando, Serge Cedet
  Borce
  e-mail
  +33 (0)5 59 34 86 14
  website
• Christophe Canziani
  Osse-en-Aspe
  e-mail
  +33 (0)6 75 62 68 03
  website
• Pascale Dubois
  Bedous
  e-mail
  +33 (0)6-87-31-89-97
• Lionel Croquefer
  Aydius
  e-mail
  +33 (0)5 59 34 73 46
  website

• Philippe Ravier
  Bedous
  e-mail
  +33 (0)6 87 76 93 64
  website
• Pyrinex
  Canfranc Estación
  e-mail
  +34 974 373 349
• Sargantana
  Canfranc Pueblo
  e-mail
  +34 974 373 217
  website

High Mountain Guides

• Philippe Barthez
  Osse en Aspe
  e-mail
  +33 (0)6 80 62 44 72
• Jean-Baptiste Cappicot
  Accous
  e-mail
  +33 (0)6 80 62 44 72

Usef Contacts

French Alpine Club
Orthez
e-mail
+33 (0)5 59 69 12 62

Aspe Valley
Tourist Office
Bedous
e-mail
+33 (0)5 59 34 57 57

Pyrenees National Park
Etsaut
e-mail
+33 (0)5 59 34 88 30