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The start is marked at the Col du Somport, accessible by car or even by the TER bus, which runs regularly.
(S/E) The trail starts behind the large snow clearance building and heads into the rhododendrons and heather. Look for a path leading off to the right and climbing slightly. After a few minutes, pass a water tank (concrete cube) and continue on the path, which sometimes splits (paths used by livestock). Stay on the ridge as much as possible until you reach a small pass (Col d'Astún, 1,694 m on the IGN map).
From this pass, the path climbs more steeply up the Spanish side, still among heather separating a few pastures.
(1) Look for a grassy bench on your left, allowing you to climb up alongside the escarpments. A path runs along this bench, with a few cairns here and there. Afterwards, you can climb up through the grass, zigzagging between the red rocks while staying on the southern flank of the mountain. This will take you to a ridge at an altitude of 1995 m on the IGN map and 1991 m on the Spanish map, where the steep climb ends.
See the corresponding photo for the route highlighted in red.
Continue horizontally northwards and follow a small path starting on the Spanish side: there is no need to climb the Pic d'Arnousse. The level crossing leads to a small, gently sloping ravine, then pastures, until you reach the Col d'Arnousse (2080 m), which offers a view of the entire Aspe Valley.
(2) Continue along the ridge towards the Pic de Bénou. The climb is easy until you reach a grassy secondary summit (2,267 m).
(3) The actual Pic de Bénou (2,271 m) is rockier: it is possible to climb it (a very easy scramble) but you can also go around it via a path on the east side (Astún slope). The ridge continues without further difficulty (good path) to the next peak (Pic de Belonseiche, 2,297 m), which is very grassy. Continue along the ridge to reach the Col d'Audas (2,195 m) or Pas des Aoudas.
(4) From this point, the ridge is rockier and the path leads to some passages where you have to climb a little for a few metres, without any real difficulty, but it is better to be warned! Stay as close as possible to the ridge, sometimes a little on the Aspe side, sometimes the other way around, and join the path that leads to Pic des Moines.
(5) If you feel up to it, you can climb this peak by heading left (there is some easy climbing just before the summit). Otherwise, take the path on the right, which quickly leads down to the Col des Moines (2,168 m, border).
(6) Head west on the Spanish side and descend towards Ibón de Escalar.
(7) Go around the lake on the south side. Then, the trail descends slightly, following the stream flowing out of the lake.
(8) Descend into a less steep valley and continue on the main path to reach the Astún station.
(9) Follow the road straight ahead to reach the Col du Somport (S/E).
Visorando member
Easy 
Moderate 
