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Access: go to the Ossau valley, pass Arudy and head towards Louvie-Juzon. From this village, head towards Castet on the D240. When you reach Castet, head towards Port de Castet. Please note that a cattle grid followed by a large raised crossing indicates your arrival at Port de Castet at an altitude of 867 metres. A signpost with numerous directions indicates that you have reached your destination.
(S/E) Leave this crossroads heading south-east on a track in very good condition, which is almost straight. After 150 m, pass some huts and barns in good condition on your right. After 1300 m from the start, the track curves sharply to the right and heads south after elevation 924.
(1) In the middle of this bend, before a fork in the track, turn completely left into the forest, heading north-east on a small, very steep track. Cross the Cau de Loustère. Stay on the right bank of this stream. Towards the end, this track curves to the 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 summer pasture via a path that climbs upwards, which I have marked with cairns in places. Follow this path south-southeast. Stay on the edge of the forest on your right and pass a few large watering holes. At an elevation of 1223 metres, 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, following the cairns.
(3) Stay on the right bank of the stream, pass the rocky area, cross the Pas de Louste and continue along the summer pasture on the path that follows the stream on the right bank. The Couscouilha hut is 200 m further on, on your left.
It is a very beautiful place but very windy. The large hut is in good condition and welcoming.
In case of rain or fog, return by the same route in the opposite direction
(4) It is time to think about the return journey. Leave the hut by retracing your steps. You will soon find a track. Cross the stream and follow this narrow, grassy track, which remains fairly flat on the left bank of the stream.
(5) Turn left onto a track that climbs slightly for 50 m. Follow this track, which is marked with cairns in places and then descends. When you reach an open area, turn left onto a grassy track for 100 m and continue downhill.
(6) At around 1210 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 heading due west, descending along a wide track damaged by forestry machinery, towards another track further down.
(8) At the next fork at around 1120 m, turn left, heading south along this very wide track suitable for vehicles, and descend towards the crossroads, which is clearly visible from this point.
(9) At the crossroads, at an altitude of 1060 m, continue straight ahead along a wide track in very good condition heading north-west. The track climbs and then remains flat shortly before a wide left-hand bend. Leave 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 crossroads, at an elevation of 919 metres, head due north on the second track on the left (Chemin Espieubet). Walk along the edge of the forest on your left. Pass the 876-metre elevation mark and continue to a fork in the road. Turn right and follow the small tarmac road. Pass Lalau and return to your vehicle (S/E).
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