We’ve somehow pleased the weather gods. We took Wednesday off, and that worked perfectly as it was foggy and misty most of the day. We took a stroll around some of Luchon’s ‘suburbs’ in the afternoon when it cleared. That left us refreshed and ready to take on two final long hikes. Both had some substantial ups (and downs) which provided for spectacular views across the valleys, mountaintops, forests and lakes. The weather was glorious for both: crisp cool mornings, highs of 70, and brilliant sunshine all day long. If we weren’t missing our family and friends so much, we could almost stay….
L’Est Loop – GR Pays Tour d’Oueil-Larboust. About 19 miles and 3500 ft elevation.This guy seemed to be waiting for us right outside our hotel as we headed off to hike the east loop of the GR Pays Tour d’Oueil-Larboust. He hiked with us for a couple of miles before heading back down to town.Ears only a mother could love?!Great view of Luchon as we head up the hills northwest of town.Hiking buddies taking a rest to survey the landscape before heading up the hill behind a small village.Vallee du Larboust towards the Col de Peyresourde – one of the Cols we biked up in July.The ridge above the Vallee d’Oueil.Vallee d’Oueil looking toward the north and flatter ground beyond that last tall(ish) mountain.We tried to get this driver to give us a lift into town for the final few kms.He was having nothing to do with two scraggly looking hikers.L’ouest Loop: GR Pays Tour d’Oueil-Larboust. About 18 miles and 5,000 feet elevation.Vallee du Larboust. Cute little village after cute little village.Lac de Bareilles, tucked away behind Pic de Lion and Port de Pierrefite. It was worth the detour… bluest of blue glacial water.Looking over the Bois de Bassiousses toward the north.A view of Port de Bales, one of the Tour-de-France routes used in prior years.A view down the valley from the Port de Bales.We couldn’t get enough of the peaks, woods, pastures and lakes.
