Néouvielle National Nature Reserve, National nature reserve in Hautes-Pyrénées, France

Néouvielle National Nature Reserve covers 2,313 hectares on a plateau above 1,800 metres, below the 3,091-metre Pic de Néouvielle. It holds more than 70 lakes and ponds, the largest natural one being Lac d'Aumar at 25 hectares, while Aubert, Orédon and Cap-de-Long are dammed reservoirs. The bedrock is a Carboniferous granodiorite and granite pluton, and mountain pine grows here up to 2,600 metres.

The area first received protection status in 1935 and became a national nature reserve in 1968. This designation marked a commitment to safeguard the alpine environment and its natural diversity.

Shepherds still graze their flocks across the meadows following age-old practices that visitors can observe during the grazing season. This way of life remains tied to the landscape, shaping how the land is used and maintained.

The easiest access is from Saint-Lary-Soulan, where buses and shuttles connect to the main hiking trails throughout the reserve. The summer months offer the best conditions for visiting, as the trails are clear of snow and safer to explore.

Around 370 animal species live within the reserve, and some mountain pine trees grow at the exceptional height of 2,600 meters (8,530 feet). These high-altitude forests are rare and demonstrate how life adapts to extreme mountain conditions.