From Astau Barns to Saussat Lake via Oô Lake and Espingo Lake

Fairly difficult hike overall, good shoes are recommended.

Today's tour led from the Granges d'Astau over the Lac d'Oô to the Refuge Lac d'Espingo. Although it is only 12.3 km long, you have to climb almost 850 meters in altitude. These are divided into about 400 m to Lac d'Oô and a further 450 m in altitude to the refuge at Lac d'Espingo. Another note on the ascent section between Lac d'Oô and Lac d'Espingo: the path is very narrow and since Lac d'Espingo is very popular, you have to make room for other hikers both on the ascent and on the descent. Start and finish is at the Granges d'Astau. I can't say whether there is public transport. A road leads there and the Grange d'Astau is easy to reach by car. Although there are numerous parking spaces available, since both the Lac d'Oô and the Lac d'Espingo are well frequented, parking spaces could still be scarce. At the parking lot, follow the lower hiking trail. This then soon leads past the first highlight of the hike, the Cascade Chevelure de la Madeleind (Madeleine's hair). The various strands of water falling down the mountain actually look like strands of hair with a little imagination. At kilometer 1.04 the road on which we have been walking ends. There is no path marked on Komoot, but there is one. This leads steeply at times along the Neste d'Oô up. At kilometer 1.38 we reach the main path again and follow it further up. At km 1.46 a beautiful massive rock with sulphurous deposits can be seen at the edge of the trail. We follow the main path in many serpentines further up until at kilometer 3.34 the bridge over the Neste d'Oô appears on the right side. You have the choice of whether to continue straight up or turn right for a detour to the refuge at Lac d'Oô. Here you can buy something to drink and eat and have a nice rest. However, you have to watch out for two pushy donkeys. These have apparently been fed by other tourists and are now expecting it to continue. Either immediately or after a break, you come back over the bridge to the right side of the Neste d'Oô and follow the path further up. Several streams are crossed and many beautiful waterfalls can be seen. At about kilometer 5.80 a new ascent section begins, which is a bit more uncomfortable than the previous section. Several crests that make you think you're already on top follow one another, until you're finally at the top at 6.38 kilometers and can take a look at Lac d'Espingo. From here it is about 50 m to the Refuge Lac d'Espingo. You can also buy something to eat and drink here and have a nice rest. After this refreshment, the way back down to the Lac d'Oô and from there further down to the Grange d'Astau. You can also stop there.

Our first Pyrenees hike leads to Lac d'Oô. The path always led uphill and after a while it turns from a forest highway into a beautiful path. Discover orchids and the endemic Pyrenean lily. From the lake you can see a large waterfall. On our further way to Lac d'Espringo we have to cross some small streams. But then we unfortunately have to break off because of an approaching thunderstorm.