From village to village in Bordères-Louron

(S/E) From the car park in the village of Bordères-Louron, head due east, leaving the church on your left, and climb up the Cami de La Caussade.
Yellow markings indicate walk no. 16. It is worth following these yellow markings initially.
At the end of this path, turn right. Follow the yellow arrow markings. At the end of Rue de Bie d’Aspe, head up a wide, stoned-up path with a wall. Follow the yellow markings and arrows in place, which do not, however, indicate the direction of the village of Ris.

(1) Fork in the path (984m). Head left, due north, uphill. Go through a gate that is usually in place here. Climb beneath the high-voltage power line for 400m. At an altitude of 1082m, turn right, heading due east.
You will reach a track. Do not follow this track.
The clear markings should be ignored. You will now need to follow the few yellow paint marks.
It is entirely possible to cut across the bends by following an old, uncrowded path, well marked, which heads north-east. I have placed a few cairns near the junctions with the track. Some old yellow markings may help you. Climb through the forest, following a well-marked path that is signposted in places. Pass through an open area where there are four large pine trees.
(2) Fork in the path. Join a track not shown on the IGN map. Pay close attention to the route description and the GPS track.
Turn left onto this track. Follow it for 300m. Head down to the left into the mountain pasture, aiming for a group of erratic boulders that stand out in the pasture. From here, turn right. You need to descend a little further to reach a path, poorly marked but signposted in yellow in places, on the 1250m contour line.
Once you have found this path, head towards the forest, due north, staying at this altitude.

(3) Fork in the path. Take care here. Head left, descending due north. Follow the old yellow markings. Ignore the track that continues on level ground. Go round a small stream, keeping left through the mountain pasture and passing through a wire mesh gate. Descend and cross the small stream. Cross a gully. You’ll reach a very wide path heading north-west. You’ll arrive at the entrance to Ris.

(4) Fork in the path. Do not head down towards the village. Turn right onto a path that climbs very steeply up through the old mountain pasture. Follow the remaining yellow markings. This steep path climbs due north. The path levels out and runs alongside low stone walls.

(5) Fork in the path. Head due west along a small, very well-marked path. This path descends very steeply. Ignore the adjacent tracks. Descend due west along this lovely path. Pass a sheepfold on your left. Join the small road. Caution! End of the remaining yellow markings.
Crossroads. Go straight on.

(6) Arrive at the Notre-Dame des Neiges Chapel (1124m). This is a lovely spot to take some photos and have a bite to eat.
Now it’s time to think about the rest of the hike.
Head due east, retracing your steps. You’ll reach the small road.
Crossroads. Turn right and head down this road towards Ris. There should normally be a signpost for Cazaux-Debat on a wooden sign.

(7) Crossroads (1091m). Head right-hand side, due north, below the road, along a grassy track that remains flat for 200m. The track then turns due west, following a wide curve. Continue along this grassy track as it descends due west. Ignore the adjacent paths.
The track then turns due south-east and continues to descend. Pass a gate. Two wooden signs indicate the direction of Ris. Ignore the adjacent paths.
The track turns due west again, continuing to descend. Ignore the adjacent tracks and paths.
The track eventually heads due north-west, descending.
You’ll reach the entrance to Cazaux-Debat. Join the tarmac of the small D156 road, which is a dead end. Pass the church on your left. Before the town hall, find a cobbled lane on the left that descends very steeply. Pass between some beautiful restored houses. You’ll reach the small road. Turn left and head down this road.
Cross the Neste du Louron via the road bridge. You’ll reach the D618.
Take care: busy road. Head left, keeping well to the wide tarmac-surfaced side. Walk along this road for 200m.

(8) Fork in the road. Take care. Crossing a road with moderate traffic.
Turn right as you enter the hamlet of La Prade. Head up this narrow, steeply ascending street.
After 50m, at the end of the tarmac, turn left, heading due south, onto a well-marked path that climbs along the edge of the forest. Follow this path, which becomes a track. As you leave the woods, before a barn, turn right, heading up into the mountain pasture at the edge of the woods, towards a wide track (the IGN map is incorrect). Join the track and turn right, continuing to climb along this wide track through the forest. Pass a gully and reach a disused water channel that supplies the small power station at Bordères.

(9) Fork in the path. Caution: do not follow the closed canal. Turn right and climb above this water channel, continuing due north for 150m. The path crosses a trough and continues to climb, becoming a wide grassy track. Follow this track, which climbs gently in a series of hairpin bends. You will reach the village of Ilhan (1082m).

(10) Fork in the path. Caution: do not enter the village. Turn left, passing the church on your right.
Caution. The path descends very steeply. This section of the walk should only be undertaken in good weather, wearing sturdy footwear, and possibly using a walking stick for support.

(11) Crossroads. Once again, the closed water channel. Head straight on towards Bordères-Louron. Follow a very pretty stony path and low walls in very good condition. Cross a few small, well-channelled streams. Finish with a very steep lane that descends towards the D618.
Caution. Crossing a road with moderate traffic.
Use the pedestrian crossing 10 metres to the right. Cross the D618 and the road bridge over the Neste du Louron. Return to the cars in the car park (S/E).

From Lannemezan, head towards Arreau and Saint-Lary via the D929A. Pass through Hèches, now following the D929. Continue to Arreau. Follow signs for Saint-Lary. On leaving Arreau, head towards Bordères-Louron via the D618. On entering Bordères-Louron (845m), turn left, crossing a narrow bridge over the Neste du Louron. Park immediately in the car park next to the church.

This is a mid-mountain area. So, as you would expect, you will need: rain gear, water, a packed lunch, route map, description, map, GPS, camera, good walking shoes, and possibly a walking stick.

Bordères-Louron-Ilhan

The Val Louron and its villages