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Park in the car park in front of the Pyrenees National Park Visitor Centre.
(S/E) Take Boulevard Benjamin Dulau, to the right of the cable car. Cross Avenue du Docteur Domer and head towards the Thermes de César on the right.
(1) At the thermal baths, walk along the left side of the building to reach the path that leads into the forest. After numerous hairpin bends, you will reach the Pauze-Vieux Thermal Baths, the oldest known thermal site in Cauterets.
(2) Cross the tarmac road to take the path signposted by a sign, which climbs irregularly through the forest, alternating between hairpin bends, steep gradients and false flats. Along this path, you can enjoy views of the Cauterets fish farm and the Raillère spa facilities. Signs explain the phenomenal work carried out over the years to protect these establishments from the risk of rockfalls. However, they were eventually closed in 1997. Reach the junction where the path branches off to the right towards the Cascade de Lutour. If you’re up for it, you can take the detour to admire the waterfall. This path then descends to La Raillère. You’ll then need to climb back up to continue the route suggested here.
(3) Otherwise, keep to the left and continue uphill to reach a clearing at a place called Le Pradet, where there is a barn.
(4) Then head back into the woodland.
(5) Finally, emerge from the woodland for good and follow the right bank of the Gave du Lutour. Cross the pastures to the Fruitière bridge. Cross this to reach the Fruitière guesthouse, situated at an altitude of 1,371 m. From there, the path continues towards Lac d’Estom, for another beautiful hike described in the guide provided by Lercher (https://www.visorando.com/randonnee-lac-...).
(6) Return by following the ascent route in the opposite direction back to the car park (S/E).
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