The Ossau Valley for families, a wonderful destination for having fun with your children all year round

Dive into the heart of the Pyrenees in one of the region's four major mountain valleys: the Ossau Valley. Neighboring the Pays de Nay and crossed by the Gave d'Ossau, it offers breathtaking landscapes all year round, with its white snowy blankets in winter and vast, colorful natural spaces in summer. Whether you 're looking for activities, relaxation, walking, sightseeing, or just lazing around, you'll love discovering the magnificent secrets of the Ossau Valley with your family in the Pyrenees with the Béarn-Pyrénées guide.

Photo credits © OT Vallée Ossau

• A family summer in the heart of the Pyrenees
• Winter with the family at La Gourette resort

An unforgettable family summer in the heart of the Pyrenees

Walks in exotic surroundings

When the good weather arrives, the Ossau Valley reveals a sumptuous landscape of green and colorful mountains where it is pleasant to walk with the family, even with young children. Indeed, numerous hikes with easy-access paths allow young and old alike to explore the mountains at their own pace, such as:

• The sites of the Benou plateau which is also an emblematic gathering place for transhumance in July
• The Port of Castet, a magnificent plateau of pastures and forests which becomes the territory of the herds in June
• Castet Lake with a leisure center and numerous activities offered from June 15 to August 30
• The Aubisque Pass, a key stage on the Route des Cols, is also a magnificent starting point for trails and hikes.

Or others also accessible by bike and even rollerblades such as Izeste, the Passerelle Bleue or Lake Ducrest. Lakes, rivers and forests, you will be enchanted by the breathtaking beauty of the Ossa Valley.

Go to the OT Vallée d'Ossau website to choose your future hike
Cycle along the Ossau Valley Greenway

Terra Aventura, a life-size treasure hunt

Everyone is motivated to go in search of the Poï'z, small characters in the form of badges with strong characters. To find them, simply download the free Terra Aventura application, select your route from the 7 offered in the Ossau Valley and let yourself be guided. Clues are distributed throughout the walk which allows you to visit some villages and discover the privileged mountain setting in an educational and fun way.

The pleasure of sharing essential activities with the family

It's impossible to get bored in the Pyrenees, and even less so in the Ossau Valley, which is a vast playground for nature, sports, and leisure enthusiasts. Whether you're with young children or teenagers, there's something for everyone:

• Climbing for a thrill ride on the Arudy rock school, the Arudy tennis court, the Pont de Camp or Laruns
• The via ferrata for a vertical hike on the Siala site
• Rafting for a refreshing dip on the Gave de Pau or the Haut Gave d'Ossau

And many others like milking the sheep on the farm, a picnic in the countryside with the marmots or meeting a musher and his sled dogs.

The Artouste resort, a true haven of peace open during the summer season

This is a stop that will not leave you indifferent, as the Artouste resort is adored by young and old alike. In summer, it is of course the little Artouste train that is unanimously popular, taking you on an unforgettable journey to the top of the mountains. Continue the walk to Lake Artouste or the Pic de la Sagette which offers a breathtaking view of the valley. While hiking is very popular, many other activities allow you to have fun all day in Artouste such as mountain karting or mountain biking.

The little Artouste train, which is the highest in Europe, only runs between May and October.

Winter with the family at the Gourette resort in the Ossau Valley

The cool weather is just around the corner, heralding the arrival of snowflakes and powder-covered mountains. Take the opportunity to take your children to enjoy the pleasures of winter sports in the heart of the Pyrenees! The Ossau Valley is full of activities that will keep young and old alike entertained all day long, all wrapped up warm.

Do your children love to slide and snowplow? Head to the Gourette and Artouste resort, a four-season resort where passionate, state-certified instructors invite youngsters and beginners to try their hand at skiing. Once they're comfortable, they can tackle the green, blue, and even red or black slopes if they're well-trained. Looking for a variety of activities? There's no shortage of ideas in the Ossau Valley, including:

• Dog sledding
• Snow groomer rides
• Sledding
• “Avalanche” escape games
• Educational outings to discover the secrets of snow...

The most unusual ? A ride on a snake-gliss, which is nothing other than a toboggan train for a 3 km descent once the slopes are closed.

Staying with family in the Ossau Valley

There's no shortage of accommodation in this part of the Pyrenees, which welcomes you in both winter and summer. Whether you're a fan of unusual rentals, a lover of comfortable hotels, or eager to meet the locals, you'll be warmly welcomed by hosts delighted to open the doors to their little corner of paradise. Find a complete list of establishments in the Ossau Valley on the Tourist Office website, and book with complete peace of mind. And if your children enjoy walking, take advantage of your stay to visit the 18 typical Pyrenean villages in the Ossau Valley!

• Winter stay
• Summer stay

Once you've tasted the mountains, you want to stay!

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