The best mountain hikes around Lac du Portillon

The terrain around Lac du Portillon is characterized by a dramatic rocky landscape and a high-mountain environment. You'll encounter exceptionally colorful high-altitude ponds and large, orange-colored sculpted rock walls. Many routes involve significant elevation gain and require sure-footedness and alpine experience.

While many routes are challenging, there are some moderate options, particularly around the lower lakes. For example, the View of the plain – View of the Lac d'Oô waterfall loop from Granges d'Astau is a moderate 6.9 km trail that takes about 2 hours 38 minutes to complete, offering varied terrain and views of the Lac d'Oô waterfall.

The region is rich in natural beauty. You'll find a cirque boasting 12 peaks exceeding 3,000 meters, including prominent ones like Pic Perdiguère and Pic des Crabioules. The routes often pass by other picturesque lakes such as Lac d'Oô, Lac d'Espingo, and Lac Saussat, each adding to the scenic beauty of the trek. The high-mountain scenery itself is a spectacle, with colorful ponds and sculpted rock walls.

Yes, the Refuge du Portillon is a crucial base camp for mountaineers and experienced hikers. It's located near the lake at approximately 2,570 meters and provides accommodation. It's a strategic point for undertaking ascensions of the surrounding summits, often reached after a challenging 4 to 5-hour ascent. You can find more information about the refuge on the Haute-Garonne Tourism website.

Absolutely. The area is known for its beautiful waterfalls. A popular difficult route is the Waterfalls of the Oô Valley – Lac Vert Waterfalls loop from Les Écharts, which is 17.5 km long and features significant elevation gain through the Oô Valley. Another option is the Waterfalls of the Oô Valley – Lac Vert Waterfalls loop from Les Bourdalès.

The mountaineering routes around Lac du Portillon are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.9 stars from over 27 reviews. Mountaineers often praise the dramatic rocky landscapes, the challenging ascents, and the stunning high-altitude ponds. Many appreciate the true high-mountain experience the region offers.

Yes, several routes are designed as loops, allowing you to start and end at the same point. For instance, the Bridge near Lake Oô – Lac d'Oô loop from Granges d'Astau is a difficult 12.8 km circular path offering views of Lac d'Oô. Another challenging option is the Ibón Blanco de Lliterola – Pico Perdiguero loop from Valle de Benasque, which includes a significant ascent to Pico Perdiguero.

The high-mountain scenery of Lac du Portillon offers opportunities for wildlife spotting. You might be lucky enough to see eagles and other birds of prey soaring above. Marmots are common, and you could also spot chamois and even ibex in their natural habitat.

There are 15 mountaineering routes available around Lac du Portillon. The majority of these, 13 to be precise, are classified as difficult, offering significant challenges for experienced mountaineers. There are also 2 moderate routes for those seeking a less strenuous experience.

The more challenging routes around Lac du Portillon often feature substantial elevation gains. For example, the Waterfalls of the Oô Valley – Lac Vert Waterfalls loop from Les Écharts involves an ascent of over 1,370 meters. The Ibón Blanco de Lliterola – Pico Perdiguero loop from Valle de Benasque has an even greater elevation gain of over 1,570 meters.

Yes, the cirque surrounding Lac du Portillon is famous for its 12 peaks exceeding 3,000 meters. Notable summits include Pic Perdiguère (3,222m), Pic Royo (3,121m), Pic des Crabioules (3,116m), Pic des Gourgs Blancs (3,129m), and Pic des Spijéoles (3,065m). These offer a wide array of challenging ascents and granite faces for experienced mountaineers.