Access: head to the Ossau Valley, pass through Arudy and head towards Louvie-Juzon. From this village, head towards Castet via the D240. Once in Castet, follow the signs for Port de Castet. Please note: a Canadian-style crossing followed by a significant raised section marks your arrival at the Port de Castet at an elevation of 867. 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, which runs almost in a straight line. After 150 m, you’ll pass some huts and barns in good condition on your right. After 1,300 m from the start, the track takes a wide bend to the right and heads due south after the 924-metre mark.
(1) In the middle of this bend, before a fork in the tracks, turn sharply left into the woodland, heading north-east along a very steep, narrow track. Cross the Cau de Loustère. Keep to 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 mountain pasture via a path that climbs, which I have marked with cairns in places. Follow this path south-southeast. Stay on the edge of the forest, keeping it on your right, and pass a few large drinking troughs. At the 1223 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) Keeping to the right bank of the stream, pass through 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’s a very beautiful spot but very windy. The large hut, which is in good condition, is welcoming.
In the event 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) Turn left onto a track that climbs very slightly for 50 m. Follow this track, which is marked with cairns in places, and which then descends. When you reach an open area, turn left for 100 m onto a grassy track and continue downhill.
(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; it has recently been damaged by forestry machinery.
(7) At the fork, at around 1,150 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 1,120 m, turn left, heading 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 the 1060 mark, 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 1,065 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 the 919-metre mark, head due north onto the second track on the left (Chemin Espieubet). Follow the edge of the forest on your left. Pass the 876-metre 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).
