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From Bagnères-de-Luchon, take the D618 towards Col de Peyresourde. In the village of Garin, turn right onto the D76 towards Cathervielle and Poubeau. Once in Poubeau, leave your vehicle in the small car park next to the chapel.
(S/E) Climb up to the left above the car park, following the Tour d'Espiau signs (yellow and red). Turn right almost immediately, then right again and left between two houses. Then follow the sunken path that starts on the left and heads north to reach a fork after a short but steep climb.
(1) Turn right, following the wooden sign for Tour d'Espiau - Cathervielle, and follow the path, which levels out considerably and then descends to reach the barns of Labach.
(2) At the fork, turn left, pass between the largely restored barns and follow the well-marked path. The path climbs again, heads south-east and leads to another fork.
(3) Leave theGRP® (yellow and red markings) which climbs to the left and continue straight ahead on an almost flat path. The trail overlooks the Larboust Valley and offers beautiful views of the village of Cathervielle and, beyond, the border ridge and its many 3,000-metre peaks. After two hairpin bends, the path reaches a fork.
(4) Leave the path on the right that descends to Garin and continue straight ahead on the path that heads further north and then turns right towards the south-east. Leave a path on the right and arrive at a slightly marked fork.
(5) You can clearly see the path on the left that climbs due east. Do not take this path, but continue straight ahead on the flat. There are several parallel paths, all of which lead to the ridge, next to a cattle enclosure.
(6) Go through a gate and head east to reach a wide path a few dozen metres further on. You will then enjoy a beautiful view of the lower Oueil Valley, particularly the village of Saint-Paul-d'Oueil and its castle. Follow this wide path, which winds its way to an intersection just before the hamlet of Benqué-Dessus.
(7) Turn right and enter the hamlet. After 150 metres, turn left to visit the delightful little Saint-Blaise Church on the left, which is clearly visible from the road.
(8) Return to the road, turn left and continue to the hamlet of Benqué-Dessous. Just before the church, leave the road and take the slightly uphill path on the right (Voie Claude). It quickly levels out and offers beautiful views on the left of the village of Saccourvielle on the other side. The path turns west at a small bench and a beautiful viewpoint.
(9) The path turns west at a small bench and a beautiful viewpoint. Continue downhill, pass the cemetery and reach the church of Saint-Aventin.
(10) About a hundred metres after the church, you will reach the D618, which is the Col de Peyresourde road. Turn right onto this road , taking great care when crossing the village as there are no pavements and the traffic is heavy. Continue along this road, passing the village of Castillon-de-Larboust below on your left, to reach Cazaux-de-Larboust and its church.
(11) Continue for about 150 metres until you reach a small concrete reservoir on the right-hand side of the road.
(12) Cross (with caution) and immediately turn left onto a sunken path that climbs between low stone walls (yellow markings). The path is wet, slippery and quite difficult in places, but it does allow you to avoid a large section of tarmac. Continue to the entrance to the village of Garin, where the path gives way to a tarmac road that leads to a crossroads.
(13) Take the street opposite, which quickly joins the D76 at the church.
(14) Turn right and follow this small road, passing the small village of Cathervielle on your right, until you reach a fork.
(15) Continue on the road to the right and return to the car park where you started (S/E).
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