Access: head to the Ossau Valley, pass Arudy and head towards Louvie-Juzon. From this village, head towards Castet via the D240. Once in Castet, head towards the Port de Castet. Note: a Canadian-style crossing followed by a significant raised section marks the arrival at Port de Castet at an elevation of 867 metres. A signpost with numerous directions indicates that you have reached your destination.
(S/E) Set off from this junction heading south-east along a track in very good condition, running almost in a straight line. After 150 m, pass some well-maintained huts and barns on your right. After 1,300 m from the start, the track curves sharply to the right and heads due south after the 924m mark.
(1) In the middle of this bend, before a fork in the tracks, head far to the left into the forest, heading north-east along a very steep narrow track. Cross the Cau de Loustère. Stay on the right bank of this stream. Towards the end, this track curves left towards a wide track. Follow this very wide track to the right for 500 m, heading east.
(2) After crossing the Cau de Loustère, leave this track at a right-hand bend. Do not enter the forest, but head into the mountain pasture via a path that climbs, which I have marked with cairns in places. Follow this path south-southeast. Stay at the edge of the forest, which you’ll leave on your right, and pass a few large drinking troughs. At the 1223m mark, turn right, heading due south, then finally enter the forest heading due south. Join a wide stony path and continue climbing through the forest along this path, simply following the cairns.
(3) Staying on the right bank of the stream, pass the rocky area, cross the Pas de Louste and continue through the mountain pasture on the path that follows the right bank of the stream. The Couscouilha hut is 200 m further on, on your left.
It is a very beautiful spot but very windy. The large hut, in good condition, is welcoming.
In case of rain or fog, head back along the same path in the opposite direction
(4) You need to think about the return journey. Leave the hut by taking the path back the way you came. You’ll soon come to a track. Cross the stream to follow this narrow, grassy track which remains fairly level on the left bank of the stream.
(5) Head left along a track that climbs slightly for 50 m. Follow this track, which is marked with cairns in places and then descends. You’ll reach an open area; head left for 100 m along a grassy track and continue descending.
(6) At around 1,210 m, turn right onto a grassy track. Ignore the two dead-end tracks on your left. Follow a few cairns. The track is in poor condition, having recently been damaged by forestry machinery.
(7) At the fork, at around 1150 m, turn left due west, descending along a wide track damaged by forestry machinery, towards another track further down.
(8) At the next fork at around 1,120 m, head left, due south, along this very wide, motorable track and descend towards the crossroads, which is clearly visible from this point.
(9) At the crossroads, at an elevation of 1060 m, continue straight ahead along a wide track in very good condition heading north-west. The track climbs and then levels out just before a wide left-hand bend. Ignore the adjacent tracks.
(10) At around 1065 m, in the middle of the wide bend, turn right, heading due east, onto an old, narrow, grassy track. This track descends steeply to join a track in very good condition.
(11) At the junction, at the 919 m mark, head due north along the second track on the left (Chemin Espieubet). Follow the edge of the forest on your left. Pass the 876 m mark and continue to a fork. Turn right and follow the small tarmac road. Pass Lalau and return to the vehicle (S/E).
