Ossau Valley

The Vallee d'Ossau runs south from Pau to the Spanish border, and the Pic du Midi d'Ossau closes it: a volcanic plug of two thousand eight hundred and eighty-four metres with two horns, unmistakable and visible from far out on the plain. The valley is part of the Pyrenees national park. Griffon vultures nearly disappeared from France and survived here in the Ossau cliffs, from which they have since recolonised much of the country; a viewing centre at Aste-Beon looks into a colony. The Train d'Artouste, a narrow-gauge line built for dam construction, runs at about two thousand metres along a mountainside. Sheep cheese is made on the high pastures.

What you actually see

• The Pic du Midi d'Ossau - a twin-horned volcanic peak closing the valley.
• The vulture colony - griffon vultures viewed from the Aste-Beon centre.
• The Train d'Artouste - a narrow-gauge line running at about 2,000 metres.
• The high pasture dairies - Ossau-Iraty sheep cheese made in summer.

When to go

June to September; the Artouste train runs roughly late May to September and the high road to the Pourtalet pass closes in winter. Transhumance moves sheep up in early summer.

Honest expectations

The Artouste train is exposed and cold at altitude even in August, and the walk from the cable car adds time. High passes close with snow. Vulture sightings depend on weather.

Nearby

Pau lies north; the Spanish border is over the Pourtalet pass.