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From Bagnères-de-Bigorre, follow the mountain pass road. At Sainte-Marie-de-Campan, follow signs for Col d’Aspin-Payolle (D918). Arrive at Payolle. Pass the group accommodation on your right and continue towards the quarry. Before the right-hand bend in the road leading up to the Col d'Aspin, turn right towards the Lac de Payolle sports complex. Ignore the two roads on your right. Continue along this road, which climbs very gently. Park on the left, in a right-hand bend, near a tennis court.
(S/E) Head due east, following the track that runs flat. Pass a track on your right. Continue straight ahead. Pass another track on the left. Continue straight ahead, still heading due east. The track makes a wide left-hand bend and now climbs steeply.
(1) Ignore the wide track that remains flat. Turn right onto a narrower track, which will make several bends, keeping an easterly direction. A few yellow markers may help you.
(2) Be careful not to continue straight ahead. A new track, not marked on the map, heads straight ahead and takes you down to the Col d’Aspin road. Turn right, following the route on the map closely.
(3) At the junction with another track, turn left. A few metres further on, at another junction, continue straight ahead. The track is now straight, climbs less steeply, and continues due east towards the pass.
(4) You arrive at the Col d'Aspin (alt. 1,489 m). You must now head due south-west, climbing. Ignore the track that passes above the hut. Follow the track that climbs.
(5) Head slightly to the left whilst continuing to climb. The track heads south. Pass the drinking troughs on the left-hand side of the track. Go round the Hount de les Saliès (elevation 1641 m) on the right. Leave a track on your right. Continue climbing, though less steeply.
(6) (Elevation 1605) Leave the tracks on your right, which remain flat. Leave the track on your left, which descends steeply.
Climb steeply, straight ahead, heading south, towards the wooded area. Leave this wooded area very quickly and keep heading due south, on this ridge, climbing steeply.
Caution: In heavy snow, keep away from the left-hand edge where cornices may form.
(7) Arrive at Plo del Naou (alt. 1754 m). A survey marker confirms you are at the summit. It may be buried in snow. Magnificent 360° panorama. Continue due south on level ground. Now descend towards Broucouze.
(8) You arrive at the foot of Broucouze (alt. 1,604 m), which you must go round to the right. A wooden post with a mountain bike sign indicates the direction to follow. You must head for another ridge running east-west in order to descend to the huts.
(9) Before reaching this ridge, head into a valley where a stream flows. Try to stay on the right bank of the stream and descend towards the huts.
(10) You arrive at the Hosse huts (alt. 1,409 m). This is a lovely spot for a meal, with major peaks such as Arbizon and Mont Faucon opposite. Then follow the track for 200 m, crossing the Hosse bridge.
(11) Turn right at the bend to fords the stream. Turn left and follow the track due north. Ignore a track that climbs to the right. Continue along the track.
In a clearing, turn right, leaving the track. Head towards the open area (Le Clot des Artigous) along a small path. Cross a tiny stream. Continue due north. Enter the forest again.
(12) Join a wide track, turn left, south-south-west, following this track as it descends. 700 m further on, turn sharply right, and head due north towards Lac de Payolle, following this snow-covered road. Just before a bridge over the Artigou stream, leave the road and turn right towards the lake. Walk round the lake on the right-hand side. Reach the Lac de Payolle tourist complex. Follow the side of the road towards the car park (S/E).
Visorando Member
Moderate 
Very difficult 
