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Take the D32 to Aulus-Les-Bains. At the village roundabout, continue straight ahead. You are now on the D8f. The road curves sharply to the left. Park your vehicle at the crossroads with a memorial stone.
(S/E) Start from the crossroads. Follow the D8f uphill for a few metres. After the wooden signpost, turn right (south-east) onto a wide path that descends. At the start of this path, there is an old red and white mark on a scrap metal post. Follow this path, which remains parallel to and below the D8f.
(1) At a crossroads, turn right onto a narrower road that climbs uphill. Now follow the red and white markings forthe GR®10.
(2) Cross the Pont de La Mouline bridge and follow the path. Stay on the left bank of the Ars river. At an altitude of 816 m, the path heads south. After passing another footbridge on your left, continue climbing; the path turns southwest. After the Pas d'Enfer, the path climbs very steeply towards the Route Forestière d'Artigous. You will arrive at this forest road.
(3) Turn left and follow the Route Forestière d'Artigous heading south-south-east. Stay on the left bank of the Ars river. Continue to follow the red and white markings ofthe GR®10. At an altitude of around 1,060 m, cross the Artigous bridge, then turn right and pass the right bank of the Ars river, continuing south-east. You will arrive at a clearing at an altitude of 1,200 m. You will see the Ars waterfall in the distance on your right. Continue climbing towards the waterfall.
You will arrive at another clearing and continue climbing up numerous hairpin bends. At the Ars waterfall, a path on your right will take you a little closer to the waterfall, but be careful!
Please note that the rest of this hike is only suitable in good weather, without snow or heavy rain.
(4) The path branches off to the left, heading west, and continues to climb steeply with numerous hairpin bends. You must pass this natural barrier. At around 1,481 m, the path branches off to the right, heading west. You will arrive at the highest point, near Cap de Pich.
(5) Continue straight ahead towards the Ars footbridge (1,565 m), which you must cross.
Be careful, the descent has some rocks and slabs. You can always turn back and descend via the "Cascade d'Ars".
After the footbridge, turn right and head north for 100 m. The path then heads west. Keep following the red and white markings forthe GR®10. When you leave the forest at around 1,600 m, the path turns right and heads north-northwest. Cross the Ruisseau de Fontarech. You will arrive at a flat, open area. This is the Guzettou plateau with its small, welcoming and perfectly restored hut.
(6) The path turns right towards the east (1,540 m) and re-enters the forest. The path then turns left, north-northwest, to pass above the Étang de Guzet (1,459 m). It descends into the forest. (A sign on the left indicates a path that leads down to the Étang de Guzet). Continue down the path that passes, at around 1,400 m, on the left bank of the stream coming from the Étang de Guzet. Continue downhill.
(7) At a crossroads, continue straight ahead. Leave the markings and theGR®10at around 1280 m and continue towards the Souliou plateau. When you reach the forest, descend north, looking for the yellow markings.
- An alternative route suggested by the VR "Petit Michel" is possible at this wpt:
Turn left onto theGR® 10 until you reach the fork. Turn right onto theGRP® until you reach the Bazets footbridge.
However, you can continue for 800 m on the GR®10 to admire the Fouillet waterfall: 1 hour round trip.
TheGRP® trail follows the lower Fouillet valley and descends to join the D8f at (10).
(8) After numerous hairpin bends, turn left heading north-west. Continue downhill through the forest.
(9) After more hairpin bends, join the Fouillet forest road and turn right for a few metres. Find a path on the left that descends into the forest heading north.
After a spring protected by a wire fence, the path turns left to the north-west and joins the D8f. Turn left onto this road which climbs uphill.
(10) After a few metres, find a path on the right with a few concrete steps that descends into the forest. The path heads east towards Aulus-Les-Bains. Join the D8f again.
(11) Turn left, follow the D8f, and cross the bridge over the Ars River.
(12) Arrive at the roundabout you passed in the morning and turn right, following the D8f road to rejoin your vehicle at the crossroads 600 m further on.
