Route de Vénasque via Cirque de la Glère and Pic de la Montagnette

Park in the Hospice de France car park (1,385 m).

(S/E) From the car park, take the path on the left leading to the Hospice de France and walk past the buildings.

(1) Descend to the right towards the footbridge over the Pique, leaving the return path opposite. Cross the footbridge, come out onto a track and follow it up the meadow to reach the Penjat bridge.

(2) Cross the stream and take the path immediately on the right (Chemin de l'Impératrice), which runs through the forest on almost flat ground and leads to the entrance to the Cirque de la Glère.

(3) Leave the marked trail that leads to the Col du Sacroux and take the one on the left that climbs up the valley. Climb south-east on this very steep trail, between streams and waterfalls, to reach a plateau where the Étang du Maille lake nestles at an altitude of 2,193 metres.

(4) Then climb up the large grassy valley to the right towards the south. Cross the outlet of Lac de la Montagnette and reach the lake shore.

(5) Leave the path leading to the Col de la Montagnette on your left and descend gradually, skirting Lac de la Montagnette (2,332 m) on your right. Follow the cairns in this large valley until you reach a fork.

(6) For now, leave the path that climbs eastwards up the valley towards the Col de la Montagnette and take the path that climbs to the right, towards the south-west. Reach the ridge and head to the right to reach the Pic de la Montagnette (2,558 m). Admire the roof of the Pyrenees, the Aneto, to the south-east, as well as a magnificent panorama of the valleys between Spain and France.

(7) Then retrace your steps.

(6) Continue to the right to climb the rocky corridor and reach the Col de la Montagnette (2,421 m).

(8) Descend the Boums du Port valley to the Refuge de Vénasque.

(9) Turn right and follow the path that runs along the banks of the large lake, join the path leading up to the Hospice de France and follow it south to reach the Port de Vénasque, on the border with Spain, not far from the Pic de Sauvegarde.

(10) Cross over to the Spanish side and descend the path with a few hairpin bends, then turn left to cross the southern slope of Pic de la Mine. You will reach Port de la Picade.

(11) Keep going in the same direction to cross the valley below the Picade and reach the small Col du Pas de l'Escalette (2,396 m) with a sign marked "Hospice de France" at the border.

(12) Return to France and descend the path heading due north.

(13) Pass the small Étangs de la Frèche lakes at different levels.

(14) Continue along the small pebble path, following several hairpin bends, then you will come to a grassy area.

(15) Continue straight ahead on the path that runs alongside the Ruisseau du Pesson stream.

(16) About 50 metres before the Cabane du Pesson, turn right to cross the footbridge over the stream, then follow the stream on the right bank until you reach the Hospice de France and the car park (S/E).

This is a very difficult hike due to its steep incline, especially if done in a single day. It is preferable to camp halfway. I suggest planning to camp at Lac de la Montagnette (5), which is wilder and less crowded than Les Boums de Vénasque (9), unless you plan to book a night at the refuge. If so, remember to book well in advance.

(7) The Pic de la Montagnette already offers a magnificent panorama and is optional as it is a return trip.
(10) The Pic de la Sauvegarde can also be optional (not indicated on my route), even more striking, but adds an extra 300 m of elevation gain to the 1,700 m already counted, with a very narrow passage on a sloping slab that requires great caution.