Discover the lakes of the Louron valley
Known well to those in the know, close to 50 lakes and tarns are scattered around the valley in the high mountains. Many are at a distance from the marked walking routes and thus stay available only to the inquisitive walkers and sporting fishermen as they contain beautiful trout. Some recommended route for the discovery of these lakes: :
- Randonnées et ascensions dans la Vallée du Louron et ses environs, par Jean François ROUYS, édité et commercialisé par l'Office du Tourisme de la Vallée du Louron, à complêter de la carte IGN Top 25 1848 OT.
- Les plus beaux lacs des Pyrénées, Jacques Jolfre, Editions Sud Ouest.
- Lacs des Pyrénées, Louis Audoubert et Hubert Odier, Editions Milan.
Génos /Loudenvielle lake
A true mirror of the valley, surrounded by fields, forests meadows and high mountains this beautiful lake was created in 1970 yet seems to have been forever a beautiful enhancement to the area. On its sides the villages of Génos and Loudenvielle and the small settlement of Aranvielle. A pathway, accessible to all, with numerous starting points from cars, encircles the lake.
On the south side there is a leisure complex that is unique in the Pyrenees bringing together the technologies of relaxation and thermal baths (BALNEA) with a number of activities for children (outdoor swimming pool, suspended tree top walk, elastic cords, game park, “Ludic Park” etc.). In summer pedalos and canoes can be hired for use on the lake.
Lac d'Avajan
Between Bordères Louron and Loudenvielle – Avajan is a country village dominated by the mountain “Posets”, at 3375m the second highest in the Pyrenees and located in Spain...
Nestling at the foot of the village, the lake of Avajan is a paradise for fishermen. There is a camp site at its side providing a particularly pleasant holiday visit.
Lac de Bordères
At the base of the wooded valley of the Bareilles, the Bordères lake (1760m) is very deep and is fed by an underground source.
The story goes that a shepherdess of the Bareilles valley saw an apparition of Jesus and St. Peter on a hill close to the lake. They asked her to join them in the sky to pray with them but the young girl was frightened and returned to the village to tell the story. When she returned to the pasture the following day a violent thunderstorm began and she was transformed into carved stone (“peyro hitto” in the Occitan language) together with her dog and herd of sheep. Hence the name given as “Port de Pierrefitte”.
Montée au Lac de Bordères
Time up: 1h. Altitude difference: 250m
Time down: 45mins
At the edge of the village of Bareilles, take the car up the first forest track on the right and follow it 5 km to a mountain hut and a cattle park, which is the start of the walk. Follow a path which rises to the right of route No. 7 crossing woodland and fields. Follow the yellow markers without taking shortcuts as this erodes the hillside. Before reaching the lake, cross over a last small rise by means of the man-made steps so as to prevent any erosion.
Massif du Hourgade
Guarding the valley of Louron the Pic de Hourgade is a grand mountain, the ascension of which is a serious undertaking. At its foot, there are several lakes which offer excellent sporting possibilities; 
Lacs de Nère (2430 m) and lac des Hermittans (2800m) as well as the Glacé de Nère lake which is amongst the highest in the Pyrenees. The route to reach this climbs the Aube valley, much frequented by mountain deer, up to the Ortigan climbing hut before taking the direction of the Col d’Esquerry then branching towards the south to gain the N.E. ridge of the Pic de Nord Nère up to different lakes in austere and wild surroundings.
Massif d'Estos-Sarrouyes
Above the Louron valley ski station, the Pics d’Estes and Sarrouyes dominate the beautiful lakes of Sarrouyes and Miares that are rarely visited despite being of easy access. In the summer season the Myrtille ski-lift allows one to gain an hour over the walker and gives access to the Sarrouyes valley which is the gateway to these lakes.
Itinéraire n° 12 : le Lac de Sarrouyes
Time up: 1h 30mins. Altitude difference: 350m.
Time down: 1h 15mins. Altitude ascent: 100m
From the ski-lift, climb to the left towards 2 ski drags and following the markers reach the grassy knoll on the right, 50 m before the start of the drags. Follow the path which descends then climb again in the small valley. After two steep rises one reaches the Sarrouyes lake.
The lacs de Miares, is at 1h 15mins and 350 m of ascent above the Sarrouyes lake.
The valley of Gourgs Blancs
"The quality and style of the Clarabide gorge is legendary. The path slides through the shady forest and overhangs the stream. At a high level, the vast Pic de Hourgade basin (2964m) and the Gourgs Blancs (3129m) sparkle in the lakes. The Caillauaus lake is very big and 100m deep. It is not always frozen but the Gourgs Supérieur are still frozen in July. It has been 30 years since they were snow covered in August. They are called Gourgs Blancs because of their milky blue colour. Encrusted by 3 rocky peaks, the “goug de milieu”, the rocks polished by glaciers seem to hold the glaciers between them." Louis Audoubert et Hubert Odier - Lacs des Pyrénées - Editions Milan
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Lacs de Pouchergues, de Clarabide, d'Aygues Tortes
"Au delà du Pic Saint Saud (3003m), serrés contre la barrière frontalièr, les lacs de Clarabide et de Pouchergues sont retirés dans leur sanctuaire. Le lac de Clarabide fut longtemps ignoré car il ne dégelait jamais et restait recouvert de neige. Le 12 août 1902, les Frères Cadier ne virent rien d'autre que ce qu'ils appelèrent "le glacier de Clarabide". Puis on le découvrit, mais certaines années les icebergs le recouvrent entièrement et on a pu parler de lac fantôme." Louis Audoubert et Hubert Odier - Lacs des Pyrénées - Editions Milan
Still within the small valley that leads to the Port d’Aygues Tortes (2683m) at the Spanish border, there are a number of little known lakes (2258m) lacs d'Aygues Tortes (2258m), on an exposed plateau at the foot of the Pic Pétar, which are an objective for walkers and fishermen that value solitude.