Lescun Circus How beautiful the mountains are

Just 67 km from Pau, the village of Lescun lies at the gateway to a natural cirque, one of the treasures of the Pyrenees. If you love hiking and beautiful landscapes, this is the place to put on your hiking boots! It’s one of the most beautiful lookouts in the Vallée d’Aspe and a natural space that invites you to commune with Mother Nature. Open up your senses: You’ll smell the fresh air, hear the sound of the wind, the bells of the herds… and your eyes will open up to take in the beauty!

Getting there

A village in a circus

At an altitude of 900 meters, the mountain village of Lescun offers a typically Pyrenean architectural unity, with its stone houses and narrow streets. The highest commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques is located on the GR 10, making it a popular starting point for hikers. But what really draws us here is its natural cirque. Ansabère, Pic d’Anie, Orgues de Camplong and the surrounding peaks make up a breathtaking landscape. A short walk (approx. 1h30) is required to reach the belvedere. From here, you can admire the Grand Billare, the Pic de Pétragème, the Aiguilles d’Ansabère or the Table des 3 rois… These rocky peaks are the real Dolomites of the Pyrenees!

Find out more

Pyrenees National Park

Lescun is part of the Pyrenees National Park. Walking through this unspoilt natural environment, you can observe endemic species. Fauna and flora are protected and you can marvel at the flight of griffon vultures, the surprising agility of isards on the cliffside, or hear the alert whistle of marmots worried about your presence… Don’t forget your binoculars or a good camera – it’d be a shame to miss out!

Look up at night. On a bivouac or late at night, the show is in the sky. You’re in an“International Dark Sky Reserve”. No light pollution here: you’re immersed in the Milky Way! Can you recognize the Scorpio constellation? It’s there, clearly visible in the sky over the Parc national des Pyrénées…

A hiker's paradise

The mountains are a hiker’s paradise, on foot in summer and on snowshoes in winter. The wild plateau of Lescun offers a beautiful natural setting and footpaths open to walkers and long-distance hikers alike. Crossed by the GR10, it offers a wealth of possibilities. Don’t hesitate to enlist the help of a guide who will share the beauty of the area with you, while guaranteeing your safety. Whether you’re an amateur or an experienced hiker, make sure you’re well-prepared for your hikes, and properly equipped before you set off: good shoes, appropriate clothing, sunscreen and headgear, not forgetting water, a map and a telephone (100% charged)… Nature is beautiful and protected: it’s subject to regulations that you need to be aware of. Common sense and respect for others and nature are the basis of these rules, so don’t forget them!

Bearn Pyrenees

To find out more about Lescun, contact theOffice de Tourisme des Pyrénées Béarnaises.

By car

Allow 1h30 for the journey by car. You can also reach Lescun by bus.

Hiking ideas

There’s no shortage of hiking trails! Enjoy the great outdoors.

Weather

Weather conditions change quickly in the mountains. Don’t forget to get the facts before you leave!

Transhumance in the Aspe valley

Every year, transhumance is a highlight in the Vallée d’Aspe. This ancestral practice of Pyrenean pastoralism enables sheep, horses, cows and other animals to enjoy the pastures of the estives, these wide-open spaces at high altitude. The quality of the grass, living in herds under the watchful eye of shepherds and their dogs, suits hardy animals. They come down before the onset of winter to the warmth of their stables… Up or down the mountain pastures, transhumance is a time for celebration and sharing.

Lescun Circus How beautiful the mountains are

A village in a circus

Pyrenees National Park

A hiker's paradise

Transhumance in the Aspe valley

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