Pan and Hourmigous barns from Cauterets

A bus service running from Lourdes via Argelès-Gazost will take you to Cauterets station; see the link in the ‘Practical Information’ section.
From there, head to the Patinoire car park, which is used by those arriving by car.

(S/E) Leave the car park, walking past (north-eastwards) the fire station to reach the road coming from Pierrefitte.

(1) Turn left and follow the Greenway, running parallel to this road, for less than a kilometre.

(2) Now head up the Route de Cancéru to the right for 600 m, taking the Chemin de Py towards the end. At the^third house, leave the tarmac road and follow the path to the left. Go down a little and turn right towards Hourmigous.

(3) Cross the Billou and follow the path on the left, along the edge of the old summer pastures.
Now settle into a steady pace to continue, slowly, for over an hour, on a 1.5 km climb with a 370 m elevation gain.

(4) Follow the path that branches off to the left for 550 m to the Hourmigous barn.

(5) Turn almost 180° to the right, follow a low wall along the ridge as you climb to find, at the top of the mountain pasture on the right, an ascending path that runs for 450 m beneath the Couyéou Bielh mountain pastures, until you reach a fork. (heading south-southeast)

(6) Please note: at the fork, take the path straight ahead, then turn right. Ignore the path immediately to the right, as it leads to the Pan barn.
Follow a gentle descent to reach the Ravin de la Bazerque.

(7) Pass through the Ravin de la Bazerque, crossing the Billou. Follow the path south-south-west, on a gentle slope, until you reach the GR®10.

(8) Ten metres further on, you have two options:
- a short, fast and steep return route via a small path on the right. This leads to the Cancéru district.
- a longer, gentler route back, passing by the Chalet de la Reine Hortense, following the GR®10 to Cauterets.
Reach the Cabane du Bousquet.

(9) Set off along a good path, less comfortable than the track, then along small roads. Arrive near the fronton and then the Gare des Œufs.

(10) From there, head towards the Route de Pierrefitte by turning right. Walk past the barracks, then arrive at the original crossroads.

(1) Turn left and, heading in the opposite direction to the outward journey, return to the Patinoire car park (S/E).

(S/E) Bus route from Lourdes to Cauterets
(5) Ferme d'Hourmigous: this is the halfway point of the hike, making it the ideal spot for a picnic and a short nap. Make the most of the view and the sunshine.