From the Tourmalet to the Taoulet cable car midway station

Coming from Bagnères-de-Bigorre, pass La Mongie and head towards the Col du Tourmalet.
After a hairpin bend to the right, beneath a chairlift, 300m from the pass, park on the right-hand side at the foot of the Coume Lonque chairlift (altitude 2089).

(S/E) The first part of the route involves crossing the mountain pastures along small, downhill paths above the access road to the Col du Tourmalet.
The aim is to reach a stony path that is clearly visible about 1 km away.
It starts at the bend in the circular Boucle du Capéra at around 1975m. It overlooks the resort of La Mongie and climbs towards the cables of the South chairlift.

(1) You’ll arrive above the last buildings in La Mongie. You’ll pass a chairlift and continue climbing gradually along this same stony path.

(2) You’ll reach the start of the Hount Barrade chairlift. Pass under the cables of the Taoulet cable car.
From there, turn left as you climb and head towards the point where the chairlift and the cable car cross.

(3) The climb becomes much steeper, winding its way beneath the cable car line, until you reach the intermediate station, which is the end of our route; beyond this point lies the cliff.
The path, which is of good quality and gravelled, is the one used by the cable car’s maintenance vehicles.

(4) Taoulet intermediate station. You need to continue to the right for about fifty metres to reach a viewing platform and enjoy the 360° view.

The return journey to the foot of the Coume Lonque chairlift (S/E) follows the same route in reverse.

Alternative route: at (1), the recorded track shows that you can reach (S/E) by crossing the estives at various points, following various sentes.

The Pic de Midi de Bigorre cable car

Summer pastures: grazing lands, pastures, alpine pastures,,,,
Trails: paths marked by animals roaming the summer pastures during the summer.