Cabane du boue

La Cabane du Boué (1452m)- overview

The Cabane du Boué with the Mail d’Eygarry above.

This there-and-back-again walk to the Cabane du Boué presents one of the best opportunities to enjoy a genuine mountain experience without excessive effort. Thanks to the high starting point and shady approach, access to this natural belvedere can be undertaken by anyone of reasonable fitness.

The cabane itself basks on its own south-facing terrace of high pasture, protected to the north by the Mail d’Eygarry and a line of vertical limestone cliffs. It’s a great spot to picnic, observe the numerous birds that frequent the area or simply while away the time gazing out at the panorama of peaks disappearing into the distance.

Digitalis growing on the pastoral land near the cabane.

La Cabane du Boué (1452m) – the route Start

Timing

Denivela/on

Terrain

Season

200m before the l'Abérouat car park.

2h 30m – round trip

160m

Way marked path: yellow flashes.

(Narrow in one or two places before entering the forest,)

Any Gme of the year without snow at this alGtude.

200 metres before the car park at l’Abérouat yellow signposts mark the start of the route. At this point, there are two parking places. Should they be taken, continue to l’Abérouat and walk back down.

Waymark !: (30T 690864E, 4757507N alt. 1372m) Take the indicated path which contours the hillside in a generally southeasterly direction, mainly in the forest but also crossing two open slopes of bracken and juniper.

Soon after the second, larger clearing and about 15 minutes from the signposts, the way veers left into the Bois du Cauderet. (A yellow cross on a tree next to the turning warns against continuing straight ahead.)

This junction provides excellent views of the Pic d’Anie and, much closer, the Billare.

View from the first Waypoint 2: the Billare, Pic d’Anie and mer de nouages.

Waypoint 2: (30T 691672E, 4757194N alt.1453m) From here the path dives into the forest and the way ahead is so clear that the many yellow flashes on the trees are hardly necessary.

Roughly twenty minutes later a small clearing with tiny stream flowing through it is reached.

Waypoint 3: (30T 691614E 4758035N alt 1400m) From the clearing a smaller path which is actually part of the “The Fôret d’Anitch, a circular walk from Lescun” goes off to the right.

Ignore this and continue straight on up the slope where, after only 25m or so, a short post-marker wrapped around with barbed wire indicates a left branch.

The path through the Bois de Cauderet with walking and mountain bike waymarks.

Take this and continue uphill as the route follows a stream bed ending in a small waterfall. Leave this well to the left and continue on to yet another clearing.

Traversing the clearing through the arch of beech saplings at Waypoint 3

Waypoint 3: 30T 619494E 4758301N alt. 1449m This is the only point where the way forward is any doubt. Mostly, it will be possible to follow the wear and tear in the grass but, with a light covering of snow or a fresh covering of leaves this may be obscured.

Not to worry. Go straight ahead passing through the natural arch of beech saplings until the path is picked up again.

After the clearing it veers right contouring a wooded slope.

Ten minutes later the path opens out on the open pasture lands that justify the existence of the cabane. Ahead, is an impressive the wall of limestone cliffs and, if the continuation is in any doubt (yellow flashes on rocks) walk towards the obvious breche in the cliffs until the route is forced right to the cabane which is reached in just a few minutes.

A view from Le BouĂŠ with a mer de nouages.

Waypoint 4: 30T 691747E 4758996N alt. 1461m From here, the cabane, enjoy panoramic views, especially of the Pic du Midi d’Ossau which resembles a burnt out volcano because that is exactly what it is.

You might, also, if your ascent has been early and quiet enough, be lucky enough to observe the colony of marmots that live amongst the rocks hereabouts.

The descent is by the same route.