Lac d'Isaby et la légende du serpent

Beaucens

The Lac d'Isaby lies in the commune of Beaucens, between the Pic-du-Midi-de-Bigorre massif and that of the Montaigu, at about 1,590 m above sea level (1,570 m according to a hiking entry). It is a small glacial lake of 6.3 ha, surrounded by summer pastures. An Occitan tale, Era Sèrp d'Isavit, explains its birth. It tells that an immense serpent lived above Argelès-Gazost and sucked in cows, sheep, dogs and shepherds. The inhabitants promised vast pastures to whoever would kill it. A young blacksmith set up his forge in a cave, below the serpent's lair, chained himself so as not to be sucked in, and forged thick pointed iron bars, seven at a time, which the serpent swallowed once they were red-hot. After seven years, the beast's entrails caught fire. To calm them, it drank all the snow and the water of the gaves, streams and fountains, but it died and threw up all this water: thus the lake is said to have formed. This account is a legend; I found it only on Wikipedia, which cites a La Dépêche article (24 March 2022) that I did not consult.

Getting there: Start from the col de Tramassel, at Hautacam: loop of about 8.7 km, 2 h 45, 177 m of ascent (Geotrek 65). Route not waymarked according to this entry. Mountain hike, check the weather. Coordinates: Wikipedia.

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound