Moderate
Nouvelle-Aquitaine · France
- Distance
- 5.2 km / 3.2 mi
- Elevation gain
- 300 m
- Typical duration
- 1 hr 32 min
- Waymarked route
La montagne verte
ModerateNouvelle-Aquitaine · France
- Distance
- 10.4 km (6.5 mi)
- Elevation gain
- 610 m (2,001 ft)
- Typical time
- 3 hr 5 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Route type
- Loop
- Highest point
- Not recorded
About La montagne verte
La montagne verte is a 10.4 km hiking route in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France. It climbs roughly 610 m (2,001 ft) along the way. Most people take around 3 hr 5 min at a comfortable pace, plus stops. The effort is honest but manageable, and the hardest section is over quickly.
This is mountain terrain, and the scale of the surroundings is the reason to come.
The circuit closes on itself, which makes logistics simple: one car park, one round of 6.5 mi. The route is waymarked and marked on the ground with its own symbol, so navigation is straightforward in good visibility.
It walks well across three seasons, with spring and autumn offering the best combination of light, temperature and quiet paths. The nearest town of any size is Pau, about 36.4 km away, which is where most people base themselves. The route is maintained by Communauté de Communes de la Vallée d’Ossau.
In short, La montagne verte suits regular walkers who want a full day without technical ground. Dog access is not formally recorded here, so check locally before bringing one.
Route map
Moderate10.4 km610 m
Route line from OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. View the source relation
The route in detail
The loop is usually walked clockwise from the main trailhead. The first third does most of the climbing, so settle into a slow rhythm early rather than trying to hold a flat-ground pace. The upper section is where the route earns its reputation, and it is also where weather changes fastest. The return leg is the reverse of the outward journey, which makes it easy to judge remaining time.
Highlights
- Mountain
- Waymarked route
- Circular route, no backtracking
- Waymarked and signposted
Know before you go
- Best season
- April to October
- Waymarked
- Yes, signed on the ground
- Surface
- Mixed natural surface
- Dogs
- Not recorded, check locally
- Wheelchair access
- Not accessible
- Entrance fee
- No fee recorded
- Camping
- Not recorded
- Drinking water
- Carry your own
- Toilets
- Not recorded
- Mobile coverage
- Generally usable
- Parking
- Park at the trailhead, arrive early in high season
- Emergency
- 112 in Europe, 911 in North America
How this trail scores
Computed from distance, ascent, terrain features, surface and access data.
- Scenery
- 52/100
- Adventure
- 43/100
- Difficulty
- 40/100
- Accessibility
- 44/100
- Family
- 24/100
- Dogs
- 62/100
Terrain features, relief and photographic interest
Distance, ascent and how wild the ground is
Effort index from distance and climbing
Surface, gradient and ease of reaching it
Suitability for children who already walk
Access rules, terrain and water along the way
Tips from the trail
- Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and the quietest paths.
- Aim for april to october for the most reliable conditions.
- Leave nothing behind, including fruit peel, and stay on the marked line to protect the ground either side.
Warnings
- Outside the main season expect snow, ice or closed access on the higher sections.
Safety
Emergency services in France are reached on 112. Tell someone your route and expected finish time before you set off, particularly if you are walking alone. Mobile coverage is generally usable along this route, but do not rely on it as your only plan. If the weather deteriorates, descending the way you came is almost always the safer option.
What to bring
- Comfortable, broken-in hiking shoes or boots
- Weatherproof jacket
- At least 1.5 litres of water
- Trekking poles for the descent
- Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream
- Small first aid kit including blister plasters
Photography
Shoot the first hour after sunrise from the higher ground: the low angle picks out every ridge and the valleys still hold mist. Because it is a loop, the light changes direction as you go, so save some memory for the back half. A wide lens captures the scale, but a short telephoto is what turns a good view into a photograph.
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
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