Astún - Pombie

Head to the Astún ski resort in Spain. If you’re coming by car, park in the chairlift car park. Take the chairlift to the top station.

(S) Turn right and head down towards the first lake, the Ibón de las Truchas, surrounded by red rocks. Cross the hillside along a very good path, heading due east, and head gently uphill, then more steeply, to reach the Col d’Astún (elevation 2,189), where the border lies.

(1) Head off to the right to climb the ridge and reach Punta Mala Cara (2,269 m); here you can enjoy a magnificent view over the Aragon Valley.
Continue along the ridge to a small grassy pass. Turn left onto the path, marked by cairns, to Lac de Houer (2,243 m) (see photos).

Note: it is possible to continue along the ridge; the route is a little more exposed at the start, followed by a narrow path on the left-hand flank. If you take this route, you will arrive directly at the Pic de Canourouye (below).

(2) Zigzag your way up through the grass between the rocks to reach Pic de Canaourouye (2,344 metres) via a fairly easy climb.

(3) Here you’ll rejoin the ridge you left earlier and can enjoy sweeping views stretching all the way to the Vignemale. Continue left along the (border) ridge for a few hundred metres to reach the lowest point.

(4) Continue downhill to the left along a fairly well-marked path to reach the Plaa de la Gradillère.

(5) Carry on, still descending, to reach the bottom of the large grassy basin, dominated by the Pène de la Glère to the right. Descend this basin, heading towards a dark ravine that you can see in the distance, opposite to your left. Join the Ruisseau de la Glère.

(6) Cross the stream, pass through the slightly marshy area, then climb up a small hillock. Continue uphill to reach the junction of the path linking the Col d’Iou and the Col de Soum de Pombie.

(7) Turn off to the right and continue along an almost level path to reach the Col de Soum de Pombie (2,107 m).

(8) Turn left and, via an easy descent, reach the Refuge de Pombie (altitude 2,034) (E), today’s destination.

• Season: the route is accessible once the snow has melted (mid-May), but the chairlift only operates from mid-June (before then, it’s a walk up!).
• Information on the Lakes Chairlift (reduced fare for return tickets and certain categories).
• The Astún resort is also served by shuttle buses from Canfranc station (timetables here).
• Safety: please note that there is no water along the ridge route, and the weather must be stable (significant risk in the event of a storm); you may also get lost in the Cirque d’Anéou in thick fog. If this is the case, do not hesitate to continue along the path to the Col du Pourtalet road, then climb up to the Col de Pombie via a very well-marked path.
• Drinking water is available at the Pombie Refuge, but not before.
• Take a warm garment with you; the weather can change quickly in the mountains.
• Maps: the 1:25,000 IGN map is very suitable; it is also handy to pre-load the Spanish map into the Visorando app (do this in Astûn whilst you have a signal).

Note: the Pic du Midi d'Ossau is visible almost all day long, as is its Spanish neighbour, the Pico de Anayet (another ancient volcano). Marmots and chamois may be spotted, especially in the early morning.