On the ball in Hautacam: full of thrills in summer!

For those who love nature, fresh air and sporting activities, you will find in the Argelès-Gazost valley a gigantic playground, far from mass tourism, which allows you to appreciate all the charm of the Hautes-Pyrénées. Thrill seekers, there is no need to wait for winter to enjoy the pleasures of mountain skiing in this rather exceptional natural setting: the Hautacam Leisure Park, perched at an altitude of 1520 meters, offers a multitude of hair-raising activities that young and old alike will love. Adrenaline guaranteed!

Hautacam: ski resort in winter, leisure park in summer!

Located in the commune of Beaucens, the family ski resort of Hautacam is as renowned for the quality of its slopes in winter as for the diversity of its leisure activities in the middle of summer. You can easily spend a whole day there to fully enjoy the beauty of the magnificent mountain landscapes. The Val d'Azun dominated by the Balaïtous, the Pibeste massif and the high peaks of Gavarnie and Cauterets stretch as far as the eye can see! To reach Hautacam, a winding road snakes through the green valley and offers sumptuous panoramic views. This ski resort, popular with families in winter, is transformed in summer into a real leisure park that promises great thrills for all ages: summer tobogganing, all-terrain scooter and DévalKart, quad biking, Segway and "Fat bike" excursions! Enough to spend memorable moments with family, friends or lovers.

Summer tobogganing in Hautacam: a must-do in the mountains during summer

Imagine yourself descending 1km of rails on a toboggan that hurtles down the slope at 46km/h with the Pyrenees mountain range as a backdrop! A good dose of adrenaline awaits you. The resort has a superb summer toboggan run, also called "Mountain toboggan" on which you can modulate your speed as you wish. Equipped with a brake and perfectly safe, the toboggan allows you to control your acceleration on the course dotted with hairpin bends or let yourself slide without restraint. Rest assured, an automatic stopping system is installed at the finish. As these toboggan runs are two-seater, this activity can be done alone or in pairs, triggering laughter and thrills at every turn. Accessible from 3 years old, children up to 8 years old must be accompanied by an adult. A crazy descent for a memorable experience facing a unique panorama!

A range of thrilling summer activities for the intrepid

Adrenaline junkies? There are plenty of other activities that will get your heart pumping without taking any risks. On site, discover a fleet of non-motorized all-terrain vehicles, each as unique as the next, designed for all audiences. Embark on a sensational and thrilling descent in a "Dévalkart," a small, ultra-fun cross kart that "rushes" down the slope punctuated by turns with excellent ground grip.

Also enjoy a moment of relaxation where pleasure and thrills combine at the wheel of a "Sherpa", a funny hybrid machine between a mountain bike and an all-terrain scooter. For safety, the supervision team provides a helmet at the start of the ski lift, before attaching the kart or scooter to the pole to climb the slope effortlessly. These activities use the infrastructure of the existing ski lifts. Once you arrive at the top, it's up to you to hurtle down the slope at full speed or at your own pace, a brake system on the steering wheel allows you to regulate your speed. These original concepts, simple to use and easy to handle, provide thrills at a low price!

For hiking enthusiasts, Hautacam is a starting point for hiking trails to the Hautacam ridges, Lake Isaby, Hourquette d'Ouscouaou, Lake Bassias, and Lake Ourrec. Segway and electric mountain bike rentals are also available on site to explore the steep trails of this magnificent site.

To eat on site, the restaurant "le Hautacam" benefits from a panoramic view of the Gave valley and offers your taste buds an introduction to the flavors of the Pyrenean region : meat from the Val d'Azun, sheep's cheese from Hautacam, trout from the Pyrenees, traditional garbure... A real treat.

From the top of Hautacam, take the time to watch the sun set behind the mountains and display its golden colors to round off a beautiful day full of action!

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Photos and Article prepared by Lesley Williamson for the Toulouse Pyrenees Guide