Pic du Midi d'Ossau

Pic du Midi d'Ossau rises to 2,884 meters and forms a pyramid-shaped silhouette in the French Pyrenees. Its sharp double peak of dark rock stands above the surrounding ridges and valleys, serving as a landmark visible from many trails in the region.

François de Foix-Candale attempted the first known climb in 1552, but climbers only reached the summit with certainty in 1797. Since then, the route through Col de Suzon has become the most popular ascent path for mountaineers from across Europe.

Local people in the region know the two summits by the names Jean and Pierre, following an old custom from Béarn. This tradition treats the peaks like brothers in a family, with the taller summit representing the elder and the shorter one the younger.

The climb begins in the village of Laruns and follows the Pourtalet route to Refuge de Pombie, where mountaineers can spend the night. From there, the path to the summit requires climbing experience and proper equipment, especially in the steep sections near the top.

The rock comes from a volcanic formation, leaving behind a jagged peak that stands apart from the surrounding mountains. This origin explains the dark color and steep walls that make the profile of this summit so recognizable.

Location: Pyrénées-Atlantiques

Elevation above the sea: 2,884 m

GPS coordinates: 42.84300,-0.43806

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:26