Col du Pourteillou and Crête du Soum Braqué

Park after the Pont de Saugué, in the commune of Gèdre-Gavarnie, if the car park is accessible; otherwise, park before the bridge, at the side of the road, depending on snow conditions.

(S/E) Take the Route des Granges de Saugé, which may be completely snow-covered.

(1) At the ‘No Entry’ sign, head up the embankment on the left and climb south-west through the grassy, snow-covered meadows. The pass is visible as the rocky peak overlooking it (see photo).

(2) Bypass the Soum de Saugué (2007 m) on the right. Try to follow the snow-covered stream of the Barrancou des Laquettes. The route is easy, winding through gentle slopes and small flat sections.
From the reservoir at 2,040 m, the slope becomes steeper. The pass is clearly in view. At 2,108 m, pass a scree slope on the right.
The Col du Pourteillou is reached after a short but steep climb, which is rather tricky on snowshoes alone.

(3) Descending a few dozen metres to the west, you’ll reach the viewpoint overlooking Gavarnie.

(4) Magnificent views, though obstructed to the east by the slopes of the Soum Braqué ridge. Retrace your steps back to the pass.

(3) Head south-west along the hillside towards the ridge. Depending on the season, this slope may still be completely covered in snow; it is possible to walk here on snowshoes. Reach the summit of the first ‘soum’ at 2,277 m.

(5) For the less adventurous, the route ends here.
For the rest, continue safely along the ridge. Watch out for snow cornices by staying mainly on the southern face. Pass the 2,251 m mark and reach the false Soum Braqué at 2,303 m.

(6) Continue along a south-east-facing ridge to reach Soum Braqué at 2,304 m.

(7) The more intrepid may even continue along this same ridge, which descends towards the Soum des Canaux at 2,279 m, the end of the ridge (marked by a boundary stone).
For a longer break (lunch or photos), it is best to head back to the ‘false’ Soum Braqué.

The return journey follows the same route until just before the 2,040 m mark and the reservoir, then turns right towards the Soum du Saugué (2,007 m). The terrain remains just as undulating. You’ll reach a flat area offering a final view towards Gavarnie and a beautiful vantage point over the Pimené (2,801 m).

(8) Then head north-east towards the Pont de Saugué, which is not yet visible, keeping well to the right of the steeper slopes to the east of the Granges de l’Ubac de Saugué. You’ll rejoin the route taken on the way out.

(2) Continue the descent and reach the Pont de Saugué (S/E).

This description covers a winter hike in snowy conditions starting from the Pont de Saugué, with snowshoes on from the outset in 20 to 30 cm of crusted snow, and up to 200 cm of snow at the Col de Pourteillou.
No paths or markings are therefore visible! Most of the route will follow either tracks left by previous skiers or snowshoers, or this GPS track.

Check the weather forecast before setting off, particularly Météo-France’s ‘snow and avalanche bulletin’ for the Haute-Bigorre/Hautes-Pyrénées mountains. However, there is no risk of avalanches or snow slides on this route.

This hike can also be done in summer, following roughly the same route, but staying on the paths, which are clearly visible throughout.

Estimated time
I completed the out-bound leg in 5 hours, including a 45-minute break on the ridge: 2 hours from the start to the pass and 1 hour from the pass to the car. This is probably a slightly optimistic estimate. Allow a total of 5 hours 30 minutes when hiking solo and 6–6½ hours in a group. In summer, you can expect to take 1 to 2 hours less.

Difficulty
I’ve rated this as “Difficult” (winter) because the route involves walking off-trail and without signposting. It’s an enjoyable route, not too physically demanding, suitable for any hiker in good physical condition who is used to the mountains, without necessarily being a high-mountain specialist.

Water sources
In winter when there’s snow, there are no water sources.
In summer, the stream and the reservoir can provide refreshment, but there is no guarantee the water is safe to drink, as livestock graze in the area.

Shelter
There is no shelter along the route in the event of a storm.

Equipment
In winter when there is snow, you must bring snowshoes, a pair of poles, gaiters, sun cream, lip balm, a GPS or the Visorando app on your smartphone, gloves, suitable warm clothing (the three-layer principle), a flask with a hot drink, a hat, and sunglasses suitable for the glare off the snow, .... Some may also wish to bring an avalanche transceiver (ARVA or DVA), a shovel and a probe.
In summer, bring the usual equipment for a mid-mountain hike (hiking boots, suitable clothing, rainwear, water, food, a survival blanket, a knife, a compass, a map, a whistle...).

Traffic
In winter when there is snow, you’ll see several tracks left by ski tourers all the way to the pass, and you may come across several skiers (usually; fewer snowshoers), even on weekdays outside school holidays.
Sometimes there’s no one around – it’s total solitude, with the wide open spaces all to yourself! Don’t forget to let your friends and family know your route!
In summer, the route is very busy.

(4) From the viewpoint, there’s a magnificent view of the Cirque de Gavarnie and the main peaks.

(6) and (7) From up there, the view is naturally even more beautiful, with unobstructed views to the west and east. From left to right (east to west): the Pic du Marboré (3,250 m), the 3 Pics de la Waterfall (3,163 m), the Épaule du Marboré (3,073 m), the Tour (3,009 m) and the Casque du Marboré (3,006 m), the Brèche de Roland (2,807 m), the Pointe de Bazillac (2,975 m), the Doigt, the Taillon (3,144 m), the Col and Glacier des Gabiétous, and the two Pics des Gabiétous (at 3,031 m; the Gabiétous Nord in France, the Gabiétous Sud in Spain).
On the right in the foreground: Pic Lary (2,397 m) and, between the peak and the Gabiétous, the Port de Boucharo, a pass leading towards Spain.

Places to visit nearby
- The village of Gavarnie,
- The Cirque de Gavarnie, at least as far as the Grande Waterfall, even in winter.
See theGavarnie Tourist Office website.