From 3 to 5 July 2026, 200 anglers will set off from the Col de Portet in Saint-Lary-Soulan for an extraordinary adventure in the Hautes-Pyrénées. Combining self-guided trekking, ‘no-kill’ sport fishing, camping and pacing oneself, the Salmo Trek offers a three-day immersion amongst the high-altitude lakes and mountain streams of the Néouvielle massif.
At first glance, the Salmo Trek might be described as a mountain fishing competition. But this definition captures only part of the experience. Here, mastering the cast is not enough: you also need to know how to navigate high-altitude terrain, keep your bearings, carry your kit, organise your meals and conserve enough energy to fish effectively for three consecutive days.
On 3, 4 and 5 July 2026, one hundred teams of two participants – that is, 200 anglers – will set off on a challenge combining salmonid fishing, hiking and self-sufficiency in a mountain environment. The Salmo Trek organisers and the Saint-Lary Tourist Office have confirmed that this new edition will go ahead.
Salmo Trek: a fishing competition modelled on adventure races
The announced route covers approximately 50 to 60 kilometres, with a total elevation gain of nearly 3,000 metres. These figures immediately place the event in the category of endurance treks rather than that of a simple fishing trip.
Competitors will set off in pairs, relying entirely on their own resources, along a route comprising 25 mountain lakes and streams. Ten mandatory checkpoints will be used to monitor their progress. Two sections will also be timed: the first between the start and checkpoint number 1, and the second between the tenth checkpoint and the finish.
This approach introduces a strategic dimension. Teams will need to strike the right balance between travel speed, time spent fishing, recovery and managing weather conditions. Walking quickly does not guarantee good results if the effort involved subsequently reduces the accuracy of casts or the ability to analyse fishing spots. Conversely, spending too long in an unproductive area may jeopardise progress towards the next waypoints.
The Salmo Trek is therefore as much about leg strength as it is about reading the terrain.
Artificial lures, fly fishing and catch-and-release
The aim of the participants will be to catch salmonids using artificial lures or flies, in accordance with the competition rules. All catches will be made on a ‘no-kill’ basis: the fish will be measured or recorded, then released back into the water.
This approach requires a particular level of technical skill. In high-altitude lakes, anglers must take into account the depth, water temperature, wind, light conditions and the behaviour of the fish. The choice of fly or lure – including its size, colour and the speed at which it is worked – can make all the difference.
However, the ‘no-kill’ approach does not mean that fish can be handled carelessly. To minimise stress and injury, the catch must be kept out of the water for as short a time as possible, handled with wet hands and released quickly. At an event of this scale, the way the fish are handled is just as important as the principle of catch-and-release itself.
Fishing also remains subject to regulations in the Pyrenees National Park, particularly with regard to the open season and permitted practices. Individual anglers wishing to explore these areas at a later date should therefore consult the up-to-date regulations and ensure they hold a valid fishing licence.
The Néouvielle: an exceptional yet vulnerable area
The Néouvielle massif is one of the major lake regions in the French Pyrenees. Its granite landscapes, mountain pines, high-altitude grasslands and numerous lakes combine to create a particularly spectacular environment.
However, these lakes should not be regarded merely as scenic backdrops. High-altitude aquatic environments are sensitive ecosystems, subject to harsh climatic conditions and complex biological balances. The Pyrenees National Park is, in fact, carrying out specific work to understand and monitor these environments.
The simultaneous presence of 200 participants therefore requires careful organisation: designated routes, checkpoints, authorised camping areas and strict rules regarding waste, fires and disturbance to the natural environment.
In the Néouvielle National Nature Reserve, wild camping is not permitted. It is allowed between 7.00 pm and 9.00 am only in the designated areas around Lakes Orédon and Aubert. Fires are prohibited within the core area of the National Park, although portable self-contained camping stoves may be used in accordance with the regulations. Swimming and water-based or nautical activities have also been prohibited in the reserve since a prefectural decree was issued in 2025.
These provisions highlight a fundamental reality: taking part in a sporting activity within a protected area means fully accepting the constraints that this entails. The success of the Salmo Trek will therefore be judged as much on the sporting quality of the event as on its ability to remain compatible with the conservation of the sites it passes through.
Battery life: the real challenge of the Salmo Trek
For three days, participants will have to carry their fishing tackle, clothing, food, camping kit and the equipment necessary for their safety. Every item they take must serve a genuine purpose, as even a few hundred grams of extra weight can become a burden after several hours of walking and thousands of metres of elevation gain.
Packing your rucksack is therefore already part of the competition. You need to keep the weight down without compromising on protection against the cold, wind, rain or storms. Even in early July, conditions can change rapidly at high altitudes.
Competitors will also need to factor in fatigue, chafing, damp, temperature fluctuations and the energy requirements associated with long days of exertion. Added to this is a challenge specific to fishing: the equipment must remain easily accessible so that competitors can quickly change their technique or rig.
Teamwork within the pair will be crucial. Decisions on how to share out the equipment, set the pace, choose the route and manage moments of fatigue will all need to be made jointly. In this type of event, individual performance takes a back seat to team cohesion.
Three days of hard riding between the Col de Portet and Saint-Lary
Competitors are due to assemble on Friday 3 July at the Col de Portet. Following registration, setting up the tracking app, the allocation of race numbers, the checking of medical certificates and the inspection of bags, a compulsory briefing will take place before the start of the competition at 9.30 am.
The first day is expected to continue until around 10 pm, before we set up camp in an authorised area.
On Saturday 4 July, the teams will set off again at 6 am for another full day of trekking and fishing. The stage will once again finish in the evening, at around 10 pm.
On Sunday 5 July, the third round will get underway at 6.00 am. Each team will choose when to tackle the second timed special stage, located between control point number 10 and the finish. The competition will end at 5.00 pm.
The provisional results will be announced via the FishAndYou app, prior to their final confirmation at 6.00 pm. A closing dinner, the podium ceremony and the prize-giving will take place from 7.00 pm at the sports hall in Saint-Lary-Soulan.
Another way to experience the mountains in summer
The Salmo Trek exemplifies the gradual expansion of summer activities in the mountains. It is based neither solely on contemplating the scenery nor on the pursuit of pure speed, but on a combination of several skills: walking, navigation, fishing, camping and adapting to the environment.
The event also showcases a lesser-known side of the Saint-Lary and Néouvielle region. In summer, the mountains are about more than just traditional hiking or cycling. They provide the setting for hybrid experiences that bring together different communities of enthusiasts.
It is this combination that makes the Salmo Trek so unique. Over the course of three days, competitors will not simply be trying to catch fish or reach the finish line. They will have to learn to move in harmony with their surroundings, interpret the signs, and remain clear-headed enough to make the right decisions.
In the Néouvielle, performance will therefore not simply be about going fast. It will depend on a quality that is harder to measure: the ability to strike the right balance between physical commitment, technical mastery and respect for the mountains.
Practical information
Event: Salmo Trek 2026
Dates: 3–5 July 2026
Starting point: Col de Portet, Saint-Lary-Soulan
Format: teams of two self-sufficient anglers
Stated distance: approximately 50 to 60 km
Elevation gain: approximately 3,000 m
Discipline: salmonid fishing using artificial lures or fly fishing, with catch-and-release
Finish and prize-giving: Saint-Lary-Soulan
