Chemin de la Mâture, Mountain trail in Urdos, France

Chemin de la Mâture is a mountain trail in Urdos that runs along steep limestone cliffs high above the Gave d'Aspe river in the French Pyrenees. The route gains elevation through narrow passages carved directly into the rock face, offering hikers a close-up view of the valley's dramatic geology.

From 1660 Louis XIV and Colbert drew naval timber from the western Pyrenees, floated down the gaves to Bayonne. After a pause between 1720 and 1750, the Marine engineers resumed under Choiseul; forests being exhausted, engineer Leroy turned to the forest of Pacq. His men cut this passage into the cliff above the gorges d'Enfer, wide and high enough for oxen hauling trunks, finished in 1772. Firs became masts, beeches oars and beams, boxwood axles and pulleys; the trade ended in 1778.

The name comes from the French word for mast: the firs cut in the Pacq forest became ship masts, the beeches oars and beams, the boxwood axles and pulleys. Today the long-distance footpath GR 10 runs along the ledge, and since June 2021 a Himalayan-style footbridge links the path to the Fort du Portalet across the ravine.

Sturdy hiking shoes with good grip are essential, as sections involve narrow passages and steep drops along the rock face. Visitors should avoid the route after rain or in poor visibility, and carry plenty of water and snacks for the full journey.

The ledge is a four-metre-high, four-metre-wide trough cut into the cliff for over 900 metres of its 1,200-metre length, wide enough for oxen hauling trunks. Since June 2021 a Himalayan-style footbridge links the path to the Fort du Portalet across the ravine.