Eslourenties-Daban: the lakes tour by mountain bike

  • by mountain bike : 3 - Difficulty Difficult
  • Distance : 36.2km
  • Vertical rise : 360m
  • Public : Sportifs
An excellent downhill route through the Morlaàs region. The route takes in valleys, plains and undergrowth, with the Pyrenees as a backdrop. Linking these two superb lakes by mountain bike is an experience not to be missed.
Itinerary

  • Step 1 :

    Descend towards the lake and walk along the right bank. Take the path on the left and continue up the track. Cross the D42, continue along the grassy path and turn left onto the gravel track. Go straight on, and on the D77 (crow's-foot), turn left, then right.

  • Step 2 :

    Head towards Arrien, go down the hill and pass in front of the church (you can make a detour to visit the Saint Jean fountain). Continue along the track and take the path in front of the farm. After the short descent, go back up the track and turn right at the summit. At the crossroads with the house, turn left. Enter the wood and follow the path. Rejoin the road and go left. At Espéchède, turn left, leave the village and follow the track to the right. At the end, go left, then right on a damaged road. At the Y, fork left and continue straight ahead on this track. Leave the track on the right and come to the road.

  • Step 3 :

    Turn right, following Andoins. At the large cobbled houses, leave the road and follow the lane alongside an orchard. At the bend in the road, turn right onto a track. At the end of the wood, cross the neighbourhood and the road. After a steep climb, you come to the main road, head towards Andoins and turn right in front of the church. Follow the Chemin Nouste Henric. Leave it on the descent at a bend, the entrance to the wood is not very visible. Drive through the forest and climb up to the road. At the entrance to Serres-Morlaàs, go straight ahead and take the first track on the left. At the end of this stretch, turn right onto the main road. Turn right onto a footpath in front of the school. Go down the road and join the green lane, following it to the left. Drive straight on until you reach Morlaàs.

  • Step 4 :

    Walk past the school, then round the church. Take the passage from the Maison Paroissiale opposite the square and cross Les Fors to a grassy path. Follow this path and leave it to the left, climb the path and then the road. At the top, turn right, then left. A long descent follows the Laaps, and at the fork in the road, follow the track to the right. Drive to the D222, go left then right, watch out for traffic. Continue along the track until you come to a sharp bend.

  • Step 5 :

    Turn right to cross the ford, then drive along the road until you reach the D707. Cross the road and take the track on the right up to the Marline district. Climb to the top of the hill. Follow a left, then turn right immediately afterwards. Go down this track and, after the bridge, turn left to reach the lake. The car park is on the left bank.
Don't miss
  • Lake Gabas (Panorama)

    This immense lake, the largest in the region, offers a magnificent panorama of the entire Pyrenees mountain range. At the Maison de la Pêche in Eslourenties-Daban, the starting point for the hike, you'll find an orientation table and a "rando dessin" station where you can learn how to draw this magnificent panorama. Straddling two départements and 4 villages, the area around the lake is ideal for hiking, sailing and fishing. In Lourenties, you'll find an open-air theatre and a playground, and picnic areas all around the lake.

  • Arrien fountain (Rural heritage)

    Legend has it that during the Wars of Religion, Arrien's church was pillaged and burnt down. Nearby, a statuette of Saint John was found and a miraculous fountain sprang up. Reputed to heal varicose wounds and eye diseases, we now know that its benefits were known as early as the 14th century. In front of the fountain you'll find a hiking and drawing station.

  • Church of Saint Laurent d'Andoins (Heritage)

    The last heiress of the family of the Lords of Andoins, Diane d'Andoins, also known as "la Belle Corisande", Countess of Guiche and Gramont, was Henri III of Navarre's most loyal mistress. During the troubled times of the Wars of Religion, she played an important political role with the future King Henry IV. Intelligent and cultured, she was a friend of Montaigne. The church, rebuilt on the site of the medieval castle, is known as the "church of a thousand colours" thanks to the magnificent paintings by Léonardo Fortuni and the Art Deco stained glass windows by Mauméjean. The church is open at weekends and on public holidays.

  • Morlaàs, historic capital of Béarn (Heritage)

    The historic capital of Béarn from 1080 to 1260, residence of the Viscounts, holder of the famous Fors, mint, stopover on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, this town still retains traces of its rich past.

  • Church of sainte-Foy in Morlaàs (Heritage)

    Listed as a Historic Monument, the church of Sainte-Foy evokes the splendour of this former capital of Béarn. Its magnificent historic portal and choir capitals, including the famous "piton de Jaca", are living testimony to this.

  • Lake Serres-Castet (Panorama)

    This small 25-hectare lake, located between Serres-Castet, Navailles-Angos and Saint-Castin, offers a pretty, bucolic landscape. A footpath leads around the lake, with benches for resting and even a fitness trail in the undergrowth. For fishing enthusiasts, the lake belongs to the AAPPMA le Pesquit.

Nearby routes

Nearby accommodation

Agenda