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From Bagnères-de-Bigorre, take the D935 road towards "La Mongie" - "Payolle". After the village of Beaudéan, in a large left-hand bend, leave the D935 and turn right onto the D29 without crossing the Adour de Lesponne. After 10 km, you will reach the end of the road. Park in the Chiroulet car park.
(S/E) From the car park, go down the D29 road for 600 m and turn left onto a track that climbs north-northeast.
(1) After 250 m, a chain blocks access to motor vehicles. Cross it and continue climbing.
(2) After 800 m, turn left heading due west, following a cairned path that climbs steeply through the forest and crosses the track in places. Follow the cairns carefully. Leave the forest after passing a small stream before coming out onto a large mountain pasture. Head due north towards the "Cabanes de la Lit".
(3) There is a beautiful view of the massif, which is a great opportunity to take a break.
Above the restored huts, take the small path that heads north-west, climbing up into the mountain pasture. The path turns west to cross the Riou Grande. Continue along the path that heads south-west and arrives at the Cabane de Bénaquès.
(4) If in doubt or hesitant, you can go directly to (6).
The Bénaquès stream flows at the foot of the comfortable hut. Another beautiful viewpoint over the Chiroulet and Ourrec valleys.
Find a small path on the left bank that heads north and climbs steeply. After about thirty metres, the path becomes a trail that continues to climb steeply northwards. When you overlook the stream, the trail remains flat and quickly leads to the tiny, pretty lake at the foot of Montaigu. Lunch at this little-known spot is a real treat.
(5) Continue a little further and pick up a path a little higher up that takes you back on your steps. Join the path you took on the way up, turn right and descend to the Cabane de Bénaquès.
(4) Head south-southeast, staying on the mountainside for 50 metres. You will soon find a path that crosses the stream (sometimes dry). Now descend gently, heading south, towards the forest (200 metres from the hut). Keep an eye out for the cairns on the path, which becomes a stony track. Continue for about 1 kilometre.
(6) Follow the track that branches off to the left, heading north-east and winding around a few bends before heading south again. After crossing the Bénaquès stream, the track turns right and descends steeply. Continue to the junction of several tracks.
(7) Take the hairpin bend to the left. Follow this track, which leads to the small chapel of Chiroulet. Then turn left onto another track: the car is 200 m further down (S/E).
Visorando member
Difficult 
Very difficult 
