Pic d’Ourtasse (1446m) and ridge walk - overview
Walkers approaching the modest summit of the Crete d’Ourtasse.
This is a fine circular route, accessible to all walkers of moderate fitness. The brief detour to the summit – a conspicuous point on the ridge that dominates the northern skyline above Lescun – is worthwhile, but optional. Though modest in altitude, the summit provides an exceptional vantage point from which to appreciate the village, the plateau and the surrounding mountains.
Paths are good throughout, starting on a swathe cut through the brackencovered, southern slope of the ridge, before moving on to well-defined forest paths. Route finding is straightforward and the walk presents no difficulties, so one can simply relax and enjoy!
A view from the ridge.
Pic D’Ourtasse (1446m) and ridge walk - the route Start
Timing
Denivelation
Terrain
Season
Quarry just before the cattle grid on the road to L’ Abérouat (This walk is feasible from the village)
2h 30m if the summit is climbed. Otherwise – 2h.
250m if the Pic D’Ourtasse is included. Otherwise - 225m
Grass and forest path.
April November
Waypoint 1 (N42 56.306 W0 39.200; alt. 1215m) – On the route to the Refuge de l’Aberouat, around 2.5 km after leaving the village and immediately before a cattle grid, park in the small quarry by the side of the road. (If starting from the village follow the GR10 to “Waypoint 2”) Walk down the road to the bend but carry straight on, following the track which is actually part of the GR10 (a long distance footpath.) Approximately 200m after starting the track a smaller path branches off on the left, beginning the ascent of the bracken-covered slope. Waypoint 2 (N42 56.222 W0 39.771; alt. 1201m) – The start of the path through the bracken. A few metres after leaving the GR10 a rock sporting a red and white cross will be seen by the path. The sign is there to warn walkers on the long-distance path that they have strayed from their route. For Ourtasse, however, it is necessary to continue this way as the path winds up to the ridge revealing an everexpanding panorama. Waypoint 3 (N42 56.579 W0 38.899; alt. 1415m.) This is the point where the path through the bracken meets the tree line. Those wishing to go to the summit will turn right here and follow the path in a generally westerly direction, with red flashes on trees confirming the correct line. At one point, where the path becomes less distinct, a red arrow provides further reassurance. About ten minutes after beginning the detour, the foot of the peak is reached where a short, easy but prickly, scramble leads to the top. Descent through the forest in dappled shade
Waypoint 4: (N42 56.619 W0 38.662; alt 1446) The Pic d’Ourtasse is reached 1h -1h 15m after leaving the car. Superb views all round. From here retrace steps to “Waypoint 3” and continue straight on in a generally easterly direction keeping, more-or-less to the edge of the tree line on the obvious path.
After about ten minutes another trail crosses the route and, at this point take the left hand fork. A gradual descent begins, contouring the hillside in dappled shade, and providing a relaxed return to the road, 30-40 minutes from “Waypoint 3”. Take time, however, to admire the occasional vistas of the mighty Billare and the Pic de la Countende, seen through openings in the wooded slopes.
Waypoint 5: (N42 56.792 W0 39.675; alt. 1360). The road to the Refuge de l’Aberouat. It is possible to turn left here and stroll down the road to the car park in the quarry. A far better option, however, is to turn right and walk 200m up the road to the point where the GR10 provides a far more aesthetic descent. Waypoint 6 (N 42 56 520 W 0 39 449 alt. 1384m) The path leaves the road at a small parking place on the left hand side and, after a few meters, red and white flashes on a prominent rock provide confirmation that the correct route has been taken.
The Pic d’Anie (left) and Countende (right) as seen from the forest path
The well-marked path winds down the hill side though forest and pastoral clearings. A minimum of attention is required to spot the waymarks and avoid unhelpful detours. After 30 – 40 minutes the road down to the village is encountered at the bend just below the starting point. Turn left, therefore, and walk 100m back to the car. If you have walked from the village continue on the GR10.