Tuc de Labatiadere

A great viewpoint accompanied by an easy walk from an iconic Pyrenean pass.

DISTANCE: 5km
APPROX TIME: 1hr 3
START: Col d'Azet
FINISH: Col de

One of the best things about the Louron valley is the ease with which you can gain height relatively quickly - if you have a car, getting high enough to see expansive views is easy. Thus when you arrive at the Col d'Azet - a short drive up the west side of the valley from Loudenvielle - you are greeted with some fantastic mountain views from the outset. This walk provides a slightly enhanced version of the landscape that surrounds you at that mountain pass, after what is a gentle and safe ascent.




Park at the Col, and then cross the road, heading north eastwards onto the opposite track (marked by the "no entry for vehicles sign" - incidentally this sign will be repeatedly ignored as multiple cars and vans carrying parapenters, who take off from the Tuc de Labatiadere into the valley below, pass you as you walk up the track). This track stays fairly level as you gradually ascend in between the spurs and hillocks to your right and left. Mountain cattle graze on these grassy areas, but should not bother you if you stick to the track. 

Looking back towards the Col (left of photo), with great near views southwards.

You may see paths veering off to the right or left, some of which may even be signposted. However, these are mainly used by the parapenters as they jump off the eastern slopes, so sticking to the track is the best route to take. As you walk, you should be able to see the Lac de Genos-Loudenvielle down to your right, surrounded by a great display of all the peaks the Val Louron has to offer. To your left, snowy and jagged peaks to the west should begin to emerge. Look up, and you may even be able to see an eagle or a hawk.

At the end of the track, you come to a ramshackle concrete building - look up the hill behind the building and you will see a path heading up towards a little weather station on the top of the hill. Follow the path up to the station, and you reach one of this walk's major viewpoints.  All around you, mountains: the Louron valley's peaks sit to the east, with even bigger mountains sitting in the distance, over the Col de Peyresourde. Over in the west, ice-capped peaks glisten in the sunshine, including the formidable Pic de Neouvielle. Perhaps the best views, however, are in the near distance: if you look back to the Col d'Azet, behind it and around to the right from it you can see a series of rocky monoliths, each with fantastic intricacies, the 2800 metre Pic de Lustou among them. For a near-distance view (many of the mountains block off what lies behind) it is one which takes a while to really sink in.

Up at the top of Tuc de Labatiadere, accompanied by some horses!

Look behind you, away from the views, and you will see you are on a high moorland plateau, with beautiful wildflowers and gorse bushes sprouting among the grass. Take the path down to the right, towards the rocky outcrop to see a better view of the Louron valley. Alternatively, take the left fork towards the other hillock, the highest point on this plateau, for the most comprehensive view the Col d'Azet has to offer. Once you have explored the
plateau, reverse your steps back to the Col.

Views from the top

A fantastic viewpoint with very little effort required. With bonuses of being able to see eagles and hawks, as well as parapenters launching off the ridge, this is highly recommended.