A family excursion: From the Truchas lake to the Ayous lakes.
The lakes are the kings of the Pyrenean summer. These glacial lakes that dot the peaks of the Pyrenees receive more and more hikers every year. This route allows you to enjoy up to eight lakes, all of them located in the area of the Midi d'OssauThe summit of which we can admire for a good part of the excursion.
The easy hike, suitable for small childrenas it is possible to reach up to the ibón de Truchas, or ibón de Astún, on chairlift. From there we will walk for about two hours one way and a little less on the way back. The way back is by the same route. We take the Truchas chairlift in Astún (although if you don't have children and are in good shape you can walk up the 450 metres of height difference).
Once at the top, we almost came across the ibón of the same name, located in front of the exit of the chairand an image that previews everything you will be able to see on this excursion.
But the excursion will take us to see many more lakes. We take the path that starts to the left of the saddle (it is very well signposted, you can't miss it) and which takes us, on a practically flat route, to the lake of Escalar.
From there we head north-east to enter France via the Col des Moines. In the distance, the peak of the Midi d'OssauWe will be able to see them on our right for the rest of the way. Once in France, the lakes are no longer called by that name, but are simply called lakes (lacs). First we find the lac del Pla de les vaquesor esplanade of the cows.
It is a small lake, frequented by both cows and horses. If we continue straight on, we will reach the Lac Bersau (much larger than the previous one and the highest on our route, located at an altitude of 2,086 metres).
From there we headed to the lacs d'Ayous. The Gentau and the Roumassot are the two largest lakes. Between them is the lac du Miey. And to the west of the Gentau there is another small lake, very close to the Gentau refuge, as well as other even smaller, unnamed lakes. A group of lakes that will not leave you indifferent, with the majestic Midi in front of you.
📚 A classic photo is of the Lake Gentau, one of the 6 Lakes of Ayous with the Midi d'Ossau in the background. The excursion to the Ayous Lakes is one of the best mid-mountain routes in the Pyrenees. You can start at Lac de Bious Artigues (French side) and do a snowshoeing route (16 km and +/- 850m), visiting the 6 lakes: lac Castérau, lac du Miey, lac Gentau, lac Bersau, lac Roumassot and lac Paradis; or go up from Astún, on foot or by chairlift to Ibón de las Truchas, and through the col des Moines, do a linear round trip visiting the main lakes.
READ ALSO: Routes around lakes and waterfalls in the Pyrenees".
