Cap de Picadés and Cap de Castet

Access: from Bagnères-de-Bigorre, take the Route des Cols (D935). After the Grottes de Médous, turn left towards Asté (D408). In the village, head to the church where there is a car park on Place de Gramont with plenty of spaces.

(S/E) From the car park, head north along the road on the left, then turn right, heading east, following the first road on the right called Chemin de Nabias. You will reach a left-hand bend.

(1) Pass a road on your left leading to the last houses in Asté. At a cross, continue along Chemin de Nabias. The route is marked in yellow. Pass a barn at Pe de Lizaou. The concrete path levels out and gives way to a wide dirt track. Caution: in freezing weather, the concrete section can be slippery. Reach a fork (elevation 829).

(2) Head north-east, following the path on the left towards the Serre de Bataille, which you’ll reach after a short climb. Continue on level ground until you reach a flat area and a junction with the^GRP® Tour des Baronnies. Follow it to the right until you reach the multi-way junction at Bernadaus (elevation 961m).

(3) Follow the unmarked track south-east to another multi-track junction at elevation 962. 

(4) Ignore the track that heads off to the left on level ground and climb straight up the direct route towards the Parets de Teut. You’ll reach a junction of tracks.

(5) Continue straight ahead on this track, which leads to the ridge, where the view is spectacular. Continue the climb and follow the western slope to a fork.

(6) This section is not signposted. Head left, upstream of the track, along a path that is barely visible in snowy weather. Follow the ridge to pass above a mountain pasture and reach Cap de Picadés. View of the Baronnies. Wooded and therefore not very sunny.

(7) Descend south-west down a gentle slope towards the mountain pasture below and rejoin the yellow-marked trail.

(8) Follow it to the left, through a pretty beech forest, to an open wooden shelter (roof and three walls) with a bench, ideal for a break and a snack.

(9) The hike can be continued along the route leading to the Col du Lhéris (yellow markings). However, this will not allow you to complete a circular route back to Asté.
So, turn back.

(8) Carry on straight across the meadow. Follow the track until you reach a junction you passed on the way out.

(6) Carry on straight ahead, following the reverse route of the outward journey, until you reach another junction you passed on the way out.

(5) Follow the track westwards to the multi-way junction at Bernadaus, which you passed on the way out.

(3) Climb up the steep slope opposite towards Cap de Castet, which offers a superb view.

(10) Turn back and return to the Bernadaus crossroads.

(3) Turn right and, following the route back in the opposite direction to the outward journey, head to the car park at Asté (S/E)

Route completed in January 2025.
Some tracks may be more or less damaged due to forestry operations.

Crastes Fountain.
Lhéris Pass and Peak.