Lac Artouste Tourist Train France

Travelled:63km
Visited: Lac Artouste Tourist Train
Stay: Fabreges- aire, free parking along side of lake, jetons for services. GPS N42.87914 W0.39693

Knowing that today was going to be the best weather wise for the next 3 days, if you can trust the forecast, we decided it was worth the 1 1/2 hour mad dash into the next Valley (Ossau), to the highest tourist train in Europe at 1997m. It was constructed in 1920 to help build a dam, creating Lake Artouste, for hydro electricty.
We quickly got ready to catch the 11am train. To get to the train we had to take a cable car which took us up 800m. The train went through a 318m tunnel into the next valley.  For the next 55mins we were able to feast our eyes on the spectacular scenery and we were so happy to think we would do it all again on the way back! From the station at the dam, we walked across the wall and up to another little lake. After spending time taking in the view, we doubled back and took the walk along the Lake Artouste. In a few sections we had to walk over patches of snow and little mountain streams. We then made our way back to the 4pm train as it leaves on the hour. We spotted a marmot who stuck his head up and watched the train choof past. There were also sheep and cows with bells on. Before we took the cable car down to Bluey, we gazed out on the Pic du Midi D'Ossau at 2885m, standing proud above the rest.
We then found a great spot overlooking the lake and mountains. A truely fabulous day. One of the best so far.