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Access: from Bagnères-de-Bigorre, follow the mountain pass road (D935). Arrive at Sainte-Marie de Campan. Continue straight on towards the Col d'Aspin (D918). Leave the road that climbs to the Col de Tourmalet on your right.
When you reach Payolle, turn right to cross the first bridge over the Adour de Payolle. Park near the campsite, after the inn (cattle grid) on the right-hand side of the road. Yellow markings may help you (note: there are severalPR® trails).
(S/E) Head west on a narrow road on the right bank of the Ruisseau de la Pradé. Cross the stream via the road bridge. At the fork just after the bridge, turn right and head north. The track continues to the restored barns and a fork.
(1) Continue straight ahead for 40 metres and cross the Gaoube via a bridge made of two large slabs of schist. You will come to a fork.
(2) Leave the track on the right and continue straight ahead into the mountain pasture. Yellow markings will help you find your way. Continue north. Follow the track that climbs and enters the forest, leaving two paths on the right. Continue along this wide track, which curves and heads due west. Pass a hunters' shelter on your right. Leave a path on your left. Continue climbing due west until you reach a fork (altitude 1,189 m). Join a track and follow it for a few metres to the right.
(3) Leave the track and turn left onto a path that remains flat, heading southwest. You will come to a crossroads of tracks and paths (altitude 1,188 m).
(4) You will come to a road. Do not follow it. Turn immediately left, at a 90° angle. Climb south-east along a path that is more or less marked. Yellow markings may help you find your way. Pass between two concrete EDF posts on the ground. Climb steeply up the cluttered mountain pasture. Stay on the right bank of the stream, pass the 1,265 m mark and reach the grassy ridge (altitude 1,275 m).
(5) Turn right onto a ridge path, clearly marked on the ground. Head south-west. Simply follow the path that climbs towards the track and you will reach a fork (altitude 1,330 m).
(6) Turn left onto the track, heading due south. Pass above the restored courtaou on your left. There are a few information panels about pastoral life. You will reach a fork at the Cabane du Courtaou des Esclozes (altitude 1,340 m).
(7) Turn left and arrive at this large hut. It is a very beautiful spot. A well-deserved break can be considered here.
It's time to think about the return journey. Continue north-east along the track that descends towards La Gaoube. Cross a wetland area and cross La Gaoube via the bridge (altitude 1,289 m) to reach a fork in the track.
(8) Turn left and follow the track due north, which then turns due east. Continue down the right bank of La Gaoube, ignoring the various adjacent paths, until you reach a crossroads of tracks and paths (altitude 1,190 m).
(9) Leave the tracks on the right and left. Continue straight ahead on the wide track. Descend into the summer pasture area to finally arrive at another crossroads with a car park.
(10) Leave the track opposite. Turn left (north) into a small valley. Stay on the right bank of La Gaoube. Join the morning's path.
(1) Turn right. At the next junction, turn left onto the narrow road. Cross the bridge and follow the same path as in the morning to return to the vehicles (S/E).
Visorando member
Moderate 
Difficult 
