The Bois du Sansanet and the Col Causiat around Somport

The route is described from Espace Somport, where you can park or take the regular bus.

(S/E) Start by following the Rue Nationale on the left-hand side (valley side) and walk downhill for about 100 metres until you reach the entrance to the large car park.

(1) At this point, follow the GR®65.3 trail, which crosses the road and descends below (to the left). A signpost helps you find your way. The path descends alongside a steep-sided stream, at the edge of the undergrowth. By carefully following the signposts, you will easily reach the pastoral hamlet of Peyrenère and join the main road, which you follow to the left (downhill) for 60 m.

(2) A carriage road branches off here, with National Park signs indicating several directions, including Causiat (where we are headed). Immediately to the right of this road, take a path that leads to a hill, then across a pasture and finally into the undergrowth. Once in the forest, the path widens considerably. Follow it for a good kilometre (climbing gently).

(3) When you reach a clearing, you will see a path leading off to the right. The sign indicates the Bois du Sansanet on this side and the Col Causiat straight ahead: this is the direction you should follow. You gradually leave the forest. You come to the forest track that is used as a cross-country ski trail in winter (this is the black run). In the more open area where you arrive, there are numerous paths on all sides.

(4) The key to not getting lost here is to go straight up, heading south, until you reach a "real" path. It is helpful to follow the GPS track on your phone. The path you end up on corresponds to the route leading to Lac d'Estaëns from Col du Somport (Senda de Camille and Spanish GR®11).

(5) Follow this path, marked in yellow and green, to the left.

(6) From this point, head north, following a track wide enough for shepherds' off-road vehicles, although it zigzags. Here too, the GPS track is useful.

(7) At this point, you can see the ridge. Simply take any of the paths through the scrub to reach it and rejoin the cross-country ski trail at the Col du Pin Sec (picnic tables).

(8) The track, which you follow, leaves this spot and climbs gently (northwards), then bends eastwards at the highest point. From there, you just have to let yourself descend, half in the undergrowth but always on the track.

(9) At this point, take the track that descends most steeply.

(10) Further down, follow the track that branches off to the right, which is almost flat. This will take you back to Somport (S/E).

The entrance to the Espace Somport building is on the first floor (south side).

• Access: bus line 550 serves Somport four to five times a day. See here: https://www.citrampyrenees.fr/horaires-tarifs
• The route can be walked as soon as the snow has melted. Signposting is very minimal on the French side: no painted markings are allowed within the National Park!
• In winter, when snowshoeing, the landmarks indicated are no longer visible, although the hike is essentially feasible. When you reach the point (5), you are at the end of the green run and the start of the red run. It is not normally permitted to follow a cross-country ski trail all the way on snowshoes; on a smaller section, always stay on the edge of the trail so as not to damage the grooming.
• Refreshments are available at Espace Somport. For accommodation, there is a lodge on site or an inn located at the Col du Somport.
• Cheese is sold in Peyrenère.
• Please note: the entire route is located within the National Park, where regulations apply to all. Dogs are not permitted!