A good sense of direction and the GPX track are necessary to complete this hike correctly.
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From Bagnères-de-Bigorre, take the D935 road to the Aspin and Tourmalet passes. When you reach Sainte-Marie-de-Campan, continue straight on towards Payolle (D918). After about 2,400 metres on the Route du Col d'Aspin, a road descends to the left, in the opposite direction, towards the Adour de Payolle. Turn around further on and descend Chemin de Trassouet for 200 metres and park. If there are a lot of people, turn right without crossing the bridge (signposted Courtaou de Pla) and park.
(S/E) Cross the Adour de Payolle via the La Moulette bridge. Climb steeply up this track, which heads north and then turns north-west.
(1) You will arrive at a flat, open area where there are two relay antennas. Continue along the flat ground. Pass in front of the old EDF building, which is in ruins. The track ends here.
(2) Turn right and climb steeply up a path. You will see metal posts that used to protect livestock from falling into the deep gully on your left. Continue climbing this steep, rugged path. It climbs up the left bank of the Et Gar stream. Leave the forest. Follow another stream, which is often dry, for a few metres.
(3) Turn left, leaving this stream behind. The path is well marked. It climbs steeply and winds through a huge scree slope. Simply follow the path without trying to cut across. You will soon come to a wider path with a low wall on the left. The path heads due north. The slope becomes a little gentler. There is a large ravine on the left. Cross a very small stream, which is often dry. Enter the forest again, passing on the right bank of the stream. Leave the forest, continuing to climb steeply through the mountain pasture. The path is well marked on the ground, with steps cut into the grass. From this point, the GPX track can be very useful.
(4) You will come to a fork in the path, which is not very clearly marked. Take the right-hand path and pass in front of a spring. Cross this slightly damp area and re-enter the forest. Head south, looking for a small path that climbs into the forest. When you leave the forest, the path is not very well marked, but you can use the pass-like feature with Cap de La Pène (1,337 m) to its right as a landmark. At this pass, turn left and head due east for about 30 m. The path levels out and heads due south towards the watering holes.
(5) At the watering holes, head completely left, heading north. The well-marked path climbs steeply into the mountain pasture. After about 150 m, turn right, heading south-east towards the Col de la Huste, which you can see in the distance. The path continues to climb steeply.
(6) At Cot de la Huste (altitude 1,436 m) , head due north along the ridge, without descending, towards the forest.
(7) As you approach the forest, turn completely left, heading north-west. Follow a well-marked path along the edge of the forest to an elevation of 1384 metres.
(8) You will arrive at a flat area where you will find the remains of a ruined hut. On the right, there is a metal shelter available in case of bad weather, at the edge of the forest. Continue northwest for 50 metres. The path continues on flat ground. Head due north as you enter the forest. The path then climbs into the forest. It turns northwest again as it leaves the forest. The Banios Hut is now in sight.
(9) Arrive at the Banios hut (1,400 m). Now head due south-west. The yellow-marked path climbs a little and then remains flat. Opposite, on the other mountain, stands the Pic du Midi de Bigorre.
(10) Very quickly, the marked path descends towards the huts, which are in varying states of repair. One hut is open to provide shelter in case of bad weather. The view is spectacular.
(11) Reach the Courtaou d'Ordincède (altitude 1,330 m). Leave the path on the left. Continue downhill for about 80 m.
(12) Look for a well-marked path heading due east. An old yellow marker may help you find it. Follow this path down towards the valley. You will come back to the fork in the path from this morning, where the spring is located.
(4) Turn right. Continue down the very steep slope. Simply follow the path you took on the way up in the opposite direction. Descend the scree slope. Pass in front of the pylon. Cross the Pont de la Moulette bridge (S/E).
Visorando member
Difficult 
Easy 
