Col and Lac de Soum - Col de Cantau from Marsous

Access: on leaving Lourdes, follow the D821 dual carriageway towards Cauterets and Luz-Saint-Sauveur.
The dual carriageway becomes a road with a speed limit of 90 km/h. At the first roundabout, turn right towards Cauterets (D821a). When you reach another roundabout, go straight ahead, then immediately turn right towards Arrens-Marsous. At the next roundabout, turn fully left (180°) towards Arrens-Marsous (Route d’Aubisque) on the D918. Continue along this road. On entering Marsous, at the church, turn left and park in the small car park.

On this walk, there are a few signposts in good condition. The old yellow markings, which are not very visible, and small wooden posts may prove very useful.

(S/E) Start from the church. Head due west, following a sign for Les Artigaux – Arrens (red and yellow markings). After 100m, turn left heading due south and follow Rue Canaou, which ends at the mountain pasture.

(1) Turn right (end of the red and yellow markings) to follow the track, heading towards Les Artigaux, on the right bank of the Canaou stream.
The hike really begins here and the route will be a continuous climb (old yellow markings).

(2) After 200m, there’s a fork. Take the left-hand path, heading due west, and leave the track on the right. Continue climbing along an old, steep, cobbled track. The gradient levels off and the track remains through the woodland. At the fork, turn right towards the Lac de Soum area. Pass the 957m altitude, cross a track and join the road.

(3) Head straight on, crossing the road leading up to the Col du Soulor (D918) twice in succession, and continue climbing. Follow the old yellow markings, which are still visible in places.

(4) You’ll come to a small road at a left-hand bend. Carry on straight ahead, north-west, along a wide track and cross the small road twice in succession. Continue for about 800m. Ignore all tracks to the right and left and head towards the 1,219m point (path on the right).

(5) Ignore the path on the right (return route) and continue straight ahead on the track for about 300m, towards Lac de Soum.

(6) Cross a Canadian-style bridge (1,260 m) and arrive at a crossroads. Ignore the first track on the right. Head up the second track, following the signs for Lac de Soum. Follow the old yellow markings and wooden posts. Pass by a large barn and cross the Hosse stream. Pass beneath the point with an altitude of 1,452m and reach a drinking trough. Head due west to reach the Col de Soum at 1,532m (end of the yellow markings).

(7) Turn right, heading due north. Climb along the Crête de la Serre (red and white markings of^{the GR®®101}). Lac de Soum lies below on your left. Pass the 1,595m altitude mark, then descend towards the pass.

(8) Reach the Col de Cantau and the wooden hut (1,543 m). Turn right, heading due east. Leave the red and white markings behind. There are no further markings. Pass to the left of the 1,529m altitude. Walk alongside the rock face on your left. Follow a lovely path that remains flat. At the end of the rock face, turn right, heading towards a barn below. Stay on the left bank of the Ruisseau de Hosse. Simply follow a low stone wall on your left. Arrive at the 1,407m altitude.

(9) Pass by a very beautiful barn on your left. Continue downwards until you reach a wide path between two low stone walls. Keep descending along the path, following the low stone wall on your left. Rejoin the track you took on the way up, where you’ll find the yellow markings again. Arrive at the WPT Canadian crossing.

(6) Turn left and follow the path back down the way you came.

(5) Turn left onto a path, crossing the small Canau stream, heading towards Marsous. The path descends due east, following the left bank of the Caubère stream. At around 1,000 metres, the slope becomes steeper and the path requires careful attention in a muddy section. After a few hairpin bends, you can make out the road below.

(10) You’ll reach the D918 road. Caution: this is a busy road during the summer months. Cross the road. Turn right and follow the verge on the left-hand side of the road. Caution: at the entrance to the village of Marsous, the road becomes very narrow for a few metres. When you reach the church, return to your vehicles (S/E).

Please note: this hike requires a good sense of direction.

There is a drinking water point at the start of the walk, opposite the church.
Before reaching the Col de Soum, as you cross the stream, there is a drinking trough.

A day’s snowshoeing requires mountain gear. You will therefore need a hot drink, gloves, a hat, poles, snowshoes, sunglasses, warm clothing, a map, route description and GPS track.

Continuing a little further along the road takes you to Arrens Marsous, which has a range of shops and accommodation. From here, in summer, there are numerous hikes of varying difficulty levels available.

Val d’Azun

Arrens Marsous