Tour of Souperret

The tour of Souperret - overview

The Souperret Massive as seen from the approach track. (The Table de Souperret is hidden behind the central high point.)

The tour of Souperret is a superb circular walk providing access to stunning scenery for all reasonably fit walkers. Tracks and good mountain paths make route-finding problem-free. Consequently, the excursion can be undertaken even when weather forecasts are uncertain.

The eastern valley of Lhers (or Labadie, to be precise) is less well frequented than some of the more central areas of the Cirque de Lescun.

So a tranquil day out, along with the virtual certainty of encountering a range of animal and plant life, makes it an attractive proposition. The second part of the walk skirts the even-more–remote valley of Belonce with its panoramic vistas of The Pic Du Midi D’Ossau and, beyond, the peaks of the Hautes-Pyrénées.

The tour of Souperret– the routes Start

Timing

Denivelation

Terrain

Season

Parking Aumet.

Lhers

Complete circuit: 4h

850m

Mountain path

May October

Starting at Aumet, follow the route known as “Le Chemin de la Liberté” to the Col de Saoubathou…

Waypoint 3 ((N42 51.30.92 W0 38.7.39 alt 1940m).

In passing, note “Waypoint 2 of that route where a sign post indicates the way to Labigouer. This is where, later, “the tour” will rejoin the main path.

From the Col de Saoubathou take the path signposted to the Refuge D’Arlet (SE) but after about only 100m arrive at …

Waypoint 4 (N 42 51.32.04 W 0 38.0.74 alt. 1940m). At the yellow sign post follow the direction to the Col de Souperret. After a short distance, pass the remains of a shepherd’s cabin on the way to a small but well defined path that contours the eastern flank of the Souperret ridge above the Belonce valley.

Route-finding should present no difficulties but, if the path should momentarily become indistinct, it suffices to continue in the same direction until it, inevitably, it reappears.

The Pic Du Midi D’Ossau and the Hautes-Pyrénées seen from the path above Belonce.

Distractions on this stretch of the walk include an abundance of flora and fauna, a rich mineral landscape (see, especially, the red pudding stone of the aptly named Pic Rouge to the South). and views of the mountains to the East.

After about 45 minutes, the Pic de Labigouer comes into view to the North and, soon after, the trail trends left then right up to the next waypoint.

• Waypoint 5 (N42 52.573 W0 37.507 alt. 1920m) - The Col De Souperret. This marks the beginning of the descent. Ignore the yellow sign post indicating the way to Labigouer. Instead, cross over the Col and take the obvious red schist path heading down SW. Back now in the Lhers valley, wide zigzags lead down the slope until, 30 minutes or so after leaving the Col, an obvious shoulder is reached.

Continue on the substantial rocky path as it traverses the hillside above the Cabane det Caillau before, within a further 15 minutes, rejoining the main path up to the Col de Saoubathou.

Turn right here, away from Saoubathou, and retrace steps back to the Parking at Aumet.

Top: Pavots Jaune (welsh poppies)

Below: Red ”pudding”.