From Uz, you can reach the Chapelle de Pouey-Aspe only via a marked hiking trail. Reaching it involves a climb of around 300 metres and approximately 45 minutes of walking. This makes the chapel a specific destination for a hike and gives you a time and elevation reference for planning. It was built in the 19th century on the site of the hermitage of Saint Savin. The route therefore has a historical connection: the chapel was built where the hermitage of Saint Savin once stood.

Hiking to chapels and through the forest

The Le Chemin des Chapelles trail passes through Uz. Its ascent begins at the village washhouse and continues through the forest. On the return, the trail leaves the forest and passes through heather and ferns, with views of the surrounding peaks. This gives you several points of reference when choosing a route: the start of the climb, the forest and the change in scenery on the return. If you want to consider the course of a hike as well as its destination, you can weigh these features against one another.

A variant of the L'Ancien chemin des facteurs trail provides access to the Chapelle de Pouyaspé from the village washhouse. The trail crosses the small Col de Pourtesous and then descends through the remains of an old slate quarry. On the stretch towards Uz, it passes meadows and a barn; after a footbridge, it climbs through the forest. As well as access to the chapel, this hiking option includes a pass, slate quarry remains and distinctive sections of trail. These give you several specific points to consider when choosing a route.

Mountain biking through the Vallée d'Argelès

For cycling, the Circuit VTT n°5 – Vallée d'Argelès – Le Grand Tour de Vallée mountain bike loop passes through Uz and forms part of a circuit through the Vallée d'Argelès. Its surface is 75 percent singletrack, 15 percent tracks and 10 percent roads. Singletrack therefore makes up three quarters of the route; tracks and roads together make up the remaining quarter. This breakdown offers a specific point of comparison if you are considering a cycling option alongside the hiking trails.

Which focus suits your stay?

The options differ in what you can base your plans on: for access to the Chapelle de Pouey-Aspe, walking time and elevation gain are specified; the Chemin des Chapelles and L'Ancien chemin des facteurs are defined by forest, vegetation, views of the peaks and slate quarry remains. The mountain bike loop offers a quantified mix of different surfaces. If a specific destination is your priority, the chapel trails may appeal; if you place more emphasis on the route or the activity, the hiking sections described and the cycling loop offer different options to choose from.

Discover more destinations: Bourg-de-Bigorre, Maubourguet, Argelès-Gazost, Campan, Vignec, Lahitte-Toupière, Sers, Vieuzos

For the wider travel overview: Hautes-Pyrénées.