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From Bagnères-de-Luchon, follow the signs for Col de Peyresourde on the D618. After Saint-Aventin, turn left onto the D76. Pass through the villages of Castillon-de-Larboust and Oô, then follow the Neste road of the same name up to the terminus at Granges d'Astau, where there is a large car park that is often full in high season.
GR®10White and Red markings
(S/E) Leave the car park and take the wide track heading south, an old path created for the construction of the Lac d'Oô and Lac du Portillon dams. Strange as it may seem, this is still the D76. Initially flat, the road then climbs steeply, winding its way up a series of partially stone-paved hairpin bends before continuing along the hillside to the stone bridge that leads to the Lac d'Oô inn, located on the right on its moraine lock.
(1) Do not take this road, but continue straight on the path that passes near the Lac d'Oô refuge
(2) and arrive at Lac d'Oô.
(3) The path starts off gently sloping, then takes a series of tight hairpin bends with a rapid change in altitude. The slope then remains steep, with the Col d'Espingo pass in your sights, marked by a wooden post visible from afar but which seems to never get any closer.
No markings
(4) Leave the GR®10, which branches off to the left towards Superbagnères, and continue straight ahead to begin the climb up the last section, which is crossed by a short series of hairpin bends on a stony path. Arrive at Col d'Espingo.
(5) Enjoy the magnificent view of Lac d'Espingo. In summer, herds and hikers' tents complete the picture. If you don't want to stop at the refuge, continue straight ahead on a gentle slope towards Lac Saussat, the northern tip of which you will soon see.
(6) Take the narrow footbridge over the outlet, walk along the lake and begin the climb up the Cirque d'Espingo on an increasingly steep slope. Reach the Coume de l'Abesque.
(7) Cross the footbridge and continue towards a large rocky outcrop, which you can cross by veering to the right to walk along its base, then to the left to go around it. Continue the climb via a new series of very tight hairpin bends, which are the last difficult section before you reach the rocky plateau that is home to several small lakes and the old refuge, which you will soon see on your left.
(8) Look for the very discreet start of the miners' path on the right, which you will take to climb Pic des Spijeoles, and continue straight ahead over the rounded rocks to reach the new refuge on the right, at the foot of Tusse de Montarqué and near the dam (E).
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