Refuge D'Ayous - Gabas

I call this day a day of triviality, as we descended straight down to Gabas without much undulating terrain. Alpine lakes and waterfalls alternate along the path. We learned from the refuge caretaker that the week from June 16 was the last week before the cows and goats start their summer grazing season and water from the streams above 2000 meters in the area was still safe to drink. It was a cloudless, brilliant day. We walked down leisurely, fully enjoying the alpine view. It was a weekend, many climbers were on their way up in heavy breathing and profuse sweat. We were happy to be in the opposite direction. But we were positively surprised by the number of hikers of all ages on the trail, which surpassed any of our past experience in the Pyrenees.

Around noon, we arrived at Gabas, coinciding with a bicycle tournament. Biking is big in this area. In the spirit of Tour de France, many regional tournaments go through here.  Once the bicycle fanfare was gone, the village returned to its sleepy nature. We had heard in peak season, every livable space would be filled, but at this time, Gabas was virtually empty. We ordered picnic lunch from the hotel as we found no other means for provision in this one-street-only village.