Top 20 Lakes around Campan

The Campan region offers a diverse range of aquatic environments, from easily accessible artificial lakes like Lac de Payolle to remote high-altitude natural lakes and small ponds within the Néouvielle massif. You'll encounter reservoir lakes, natural mountain lakes, and series of small pools.

Yes, Lake Orédon is highly accessible, with a car park located directly on its banks. Lac de Payolle is also easily accessible by car year-round, situated at the foot of the Col d'Aspin.

Lac de Payolle is a hub for both summer and winter activities. In warmer months, you can enjoy mountain biking, walking, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and pedal boating. During winter, it transforms into a cross-country ski resort.

You can find various hiking trails around the lakes. For instance, a moderate hike is 'Laquets Reservoir – Viewpoint on the refuge loop from Caderolles' which is 10.2 km long. There's also an easy 5.9 km loop around Lac de Payolle. For more options, explore the Hiking around Campan guide.

Lac de Payolle is an excellent choice for families, offering activities like pedal boating, canoeing, and walking. The general accessibility and amenities make it suitable for visitors with children. The series of small ponds at Les Laquettes also offer a magical, picturesque setting for walks.

The warmer months are ideal for enjoying activities like boating, hiking, and fishing. However, the high-altitude lakes in the Néouvielle massif are particularly stunning in late spring and early autumn when the weather is pleasant and the landscapes are vibrant. Lac de Payolle also offers winter activities like cross-country skiing.

Lac d'Aubert offers magnificent views, famously reflecting the Hourquette d'Aubert and providing an orientation table to identify surrounding peaks like Néouvielle. Lake Aumar, adjacent to Lac d'Aubert, also provides superb vistas highlighting the peaks of Néouvielle and Ramougn.

Yes, the area around Campan offers mountain biking trails. For example, you can find routes like the 'Col d'Aspin – Lac de Payolle loop from Payolle' which is 32.5 km long. More options are available in the MTB Trails around Campan guide.

Lake Orédon is considered one of the most impressive lakes in the Néouvielle massif due to its dramatic landscape. Mountains plunge steeply into its waters, giving it a fjord-like appearance that sets it apart from other bodies of water in the reserve.

Yes, near Lac de Payolle, you can find amenities like the Le Refuge restaurant, known for its grilled meats and mountain dishes. For other lakes, especially those in the Néouvielle massif, it's advisable to check for refuges or bring your own provisions.

While popular, the series of small ponds and pools known as Les Laquettes, located below Lake Aubert, offer a magical and picturesque experience that some compare to the 'thousand lakes' on California's John Muir Trail. They can be less crowded than the main lakes, especially outside peak season.

Lac Dets Coubous is a reservoir lake located at an altitude of 2,041 meters, offering a splendid panorama of the Néouvielle reserve. It marks the northern entrance to the reserve and has an open, unguarded refuge nearby where up to 4-5 people can comfortably sleep.