Things to Do around Lac de Payolle
Lac de Payolle is a region in the Hautes-Pyrénées department of Occitanie, France, known for its diverse natural landscape. Situated at 1,139 meters (3,737 ft) at the foot of the Col d'Aspin, the area features an artificial lake surrounded by extensive fir forests, pastoral lands, and prominent peaks like the Pic du Midi de Bigorre. This environment provides a varied terrain ideal for several sports like road cycling, hiking, touring cycling, mountain biking, and more, attracting outdoor enthusiasts throughout the year.
Things to Do in Lac de Payolle
The Lac de Payolle region offers more than 20 routes across several sports like road cycling, hiking, touring cycling, mountain biking, and more. More than 90,000 visitors have shared their experiences here, resulting in an average rating of 4.49 out of 5 stars. Road cycling routes often follow in the footsteps of the Tour de France, tackling legendary Pyrenean passes such as the Col d'Aspin and Hourquette d'Ancizan. For those preferring to explore on foot, hiking trails range from leisurely walks around the lake to more demanding mountain excursions through forests and meadows, offering panoramic views. Mountain biking circuits are also available, utilizing the varied terrain. Discover more options with guides like Road Cycling Routes around Lac de Payolle or Hiking around Lac de Payolle.
105
Routes
4.5
(393)
Average rating
10340
People visited
4.8
(46)
2,095
riders
42.6km
03:03
1,370m
1,370m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
4.0
(2)
64
riders
37.2km
02:39
1,190m
1,190m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
5.0
(3)
519
riders
51.3km
03:12
1,460m
1,460m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
4.8
(22)
1,735
riders
48.7km
03:14
1,530m
1,530m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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4.8
(35)
497
hikers
10.2km
04:53
710m
710m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
4.7
(33)
265
hikers
14.4km
04:47
660m
660m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.6
(34)
168
hikers
10.9km
03:36
480m
480m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.1
(8)
158
hikers
5.67km
01:32
80m
80m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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67
riders
11.5km
00:58
400m
400m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
3.0
(1)
32
riders
18.6km
02:00
550m
550m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(2)
13
riders
19.0km
01:56
590m
590m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
9
riders
18.4km
01:45
420m
420m
Hard bike ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
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5.0
(5)
44
riders
17.0km
01:57
600m
590m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
3.0
(1)
30
riders
20.4km
02:12
640m
640m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
4.0
(1)
25
riders
29.2km
03:32
1,280m
1,280m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.5
(2)
16
riders
30.7km
02:05
520m
520m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
42
runners
14.0km
02:04
660m
660m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.
5.0
(1)
31
runners
12.2km
01:33
440m
440m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(1)
38
runners
5.92km
00:39
80m
80m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
22
runners
5.29km
00:34
80m
80m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.3
(4)
36
riders
42.9km
03:44
1,150m
1,150m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.0
(1)
69
riders
60.6km
04:55
1,870m
1,870m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(4)
56
riders
32.5km
02:57
1,340m
1,340m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
3.0
(1)
9
riders
24.6km
02:16
740m
740m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(5)
15
hikers
13.1km
05:59
820m
820m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
5.0
(1)
8
hikers
22.0km
09:39
1,610m
1,610m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
8
hikers
16.3km
06:47
1,050m
1,050m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
5
hikers
13.1km
04:28
650m
650m
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Lac de Payolle?
Lac de Payolle is a region in the Hautes-Pyrénées department of Occitanie, France. It features an artificial lake at an elevation of 3,737 feet (1,139 meters) at the foot of the Col d'Aspin. The area is known for its fir forests, pastoral lands, and surrounding mountains like the Pic du Midi de Bigorre.
What outdoor activities are available in Lac de Payolle?
Lac de Payolle offers a variety of outdoor activities including Road cycling, Hiking, Touring cycling, Mountain biking, Jogging, Gravel biking, and Mountaineering. Other activities like fishing, horse riding, paragliding, canoeing, kayaking, pedal boating, and tree climbing are also available.
Are there road cycling routes in Lac de Payolle?
Yes, Lac de Payolle is a popular destination for road cycling, featuring routes that include legendary Pyrenean passes like the Col d'Aspin and Hourquette d'Ancizan. Cyclists can find routes with varying difficulty levels, from easier rides to challenging ascents. More information is available in the guide Road Cycling Routes around Lac de Payolle.
What kind of hiking trails are in Lac de Payolle?
Lac de Payolle offers diverse hiking trails suitable for all levels, from leisurely walks around the lake to demanding mountain excursions. Trails lead through forests and meadows, providing panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Guides like Hiking around Lac de Payolle provide detailed information.
Are there family-friendly activities in Lac de Payolle?
Yes, Lac de Payolle is suitable for family outings, offering accessible paths around the lake and various activities. Family-friendly hikes are available, as detailed in the guide Family-friendly hikes around Lac de Payolle. Other options include horse riding, pedal boating, and tree climbing.
Can I find mountain biking trails in Lac de Payolle?
Yes, Lac de Payolle is a recognized spot for mountain biking. The region offers circuits through varied terrain, including forests and mountain paths, catering to different skill levels. Explore available routes with the guide MTB Trails around Lac de Payolle.
How popular is Lac de Payolle on komoot?
Lac de Payolle is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 90,000 visitors sharing their experiences. The region's 25 routes across various sports have an average rating of 4.49 out of 5 stars from over 4,500 ratings.
What are the main natural features or landmarks in Lac de Payolle?
Key natural features include the artificial Lac de Payolle itself, surrounded by extensive fir forests and pastoral lands. Prominent mountains like the Pic du Midi de Bigorre and the Arbizon massif are visible. The area is also known for the Col d'Aspin and Hourquette d'Ancizan passes.
What komoot guides are available for Lac de Payolle?
Komoot offers several guides for Lac de Payolle, including those for Road Cycling Routes, Hiking, Touring Cycling, and MTB Trails. There are also guides for family-friendly hikes, easy hikes, and traffic-free bike rides.
Is there an official website or contact information for Lac de Payolle?
There is no single official website for Lac de Payolle as an administrative entity. However, information can be found through local tourism offices like Lourdes Tourist Office or Mairie de Campan. For the Payolle Aventure tree climbing park, contact is available at 07 78 11 74 26 or via email at contact@payolle-aventure.fr.
Are there easy hiking options around Lac de Payolle?
Yes, Lac de Payolle provides easy hiking options, including leisurely walks around the lake. Specific guides are available for less strenuous routes. The guide Easy hikes around Lac de Payolle details suitable trails.
Can I find traffic-free bike routes in Lac de Payolle?
Yes, the region offers options for traffic-free bike rides, providing a safer and more relaxed cycling experience. Cyclists can consult the guide Traffic-free bike rides around Lac de Payolle for specific routes.
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