Snowshoe trekking on the crêtes d’Azet is a not-to-be-missed winter activity in Saint-Lary-Soulan, accessible to families and moderate hikers. It offers an exceptional panorama of the Aure valley, the Pyrenean peaks and the vast expanses of snow. The resorts of Saint-Lary, Val Louron and Peyragudes can also be seen .
Starting point for the walk: Le Col d'Azet 1585m.
Departure is from the car park at the Col d’Azet, about 20 minutes’ drive from the village of Saint-Lary-Soulan. The route follows a marked ridge trail with no major technical difficulties, ideal for a first snowshoeing experience.
The main route comprises the following stages:
- Gradual ascent of the Azet ridges on a wide, well-marked path.
- Panoramic viewpoint: halfway along the route, you’ll have an unobstructed view of the surrounding peaks, in particular the Néouvielle and Luchonnais massifs.
- Progress along the northern ridge: the path follows the ridge line, with successive views over the valley and neighbouring passes.
- Return via the same route, again offering sweeping views of the snow-covered landscape.
The average duration of the outing is around 3 to 4 hours round trip, depending on the pace of the group and the snow conditions. The total distance is around 8 to 10 km.
