The Haboura from Crastes

Access: from Bagnères-de-Bigorre, take the mountain pass road (D935). After 3.5 km, turn left towards Asté (D408). Cross the Adour; at the second junction, turn left, then immediately right. You’ll arrive at a square featuring an old fire engine pump and a cross. Head right, following the Fontaines de Crastes along a very narrow road on the right bank of the Lhéris stream. Car park 1 km on, on the left-hand side.

(S/E) From the car park (661m), take the track, following the left bank of the Lhéris stream. Signposts and yellow^PR® markings will guide you. After 300m, pass Les Fontaines de Crastes on your left. Continue climbing along the track and enter the forest. The track ends (altitude 700m) and a stony path takes over.

(1) Fork in the path (740m): take the left-hand stony path which climbs steeply through the forest. Signpost. Climb this path, on the left bank of the Ruisseau du Lhéris. Cross the stream and continue climbing on the right bank. Pass the Coume d'Artigous where the path heads due south. Continue climbing, following the yellow markings.

(2) Fork (1170m), open area: turn left. The IGN map is out of date. Continue on the right bank of the Lhéris stream for 50m. Then turn left into the forest, following the yellow markings. The path climbs very steeply through the forest, heading south-east, then continues on level ground. Stay on the right bank of the stream.

(3) Junction (1280m), signpost: continue straight on, towards the Lhéris hut, heading south-east. Leave the forest; do not go down to the right towards the Lhéris stream.
Caution: This is a confusing area, not very well signposted. Take extra care.

(4) Lhéris hut (1300m): continue due east. Climb up the right bank of the Lhéris stream. Some yellow markings may help. Simply keep the Col du Lhéris, to the south-east, in your sights.

(5) Col du Lhéris (1387m), junction: turn right, heading south-west. Signpost. You might want to stop for a break at this pass. Beautiful views.
The path climbs steeply through mountain pastures, with a beech forest on the right. Some yellow markings may help.

(6) Junction (1,460m): turn left and continue along the path that climbs, with the forest on your right.
At around 1510m, the path turns left, heading south-east, continuing to climb steeply through the mountain pasture.
At around 1,610m, the path heads due south, climbing steeply towards the summit. Pass the remains of an antenna.

(7) Le Haboura (Caoutérou) 1628m. A lovely spot to take a break and have a bite to eat. 360° view. Descend via the same path to the previous fork.

(6). Turn left at the edge of the forest on your left.

(8) Junction (1200m): turn left and ignore the path leading off to the right towards an old stone hut. Continue north-west. Enter the forest, quickly joining a wide track unsuitable for vehicles.
Exit the forest (1280m), arriving at Pla d'Espet. Follow the yellow^PR® markings^. Stay on a grassy ridge, heading towards a signpost on this ridge. Stay on the edge of the forest on your right.

(9) Junction of numerous paths (1210m): turn right onto a path that descends into the forest, heading north-west. A stone marked ‘Crastes’ is located at the start of the path. I have also added directions on the wooden sign.
Caution: This is a confusing area, not very well signposted. Take extra care.

Do not descend into the valley heading due south. Do not continue along the ridge towards Le Theilhet (1287m) and, finally, do not continue on the flat, heading due west, on the path that leads back to Campan.
The IGN map is inaccurate. The open hut at Courtaou du Theilhet is not marked in the correct location.
Descend into the forest along a lovely, well-marked path. Yellow markings may help. The path heads due north down a steep slope, then due east. The IGN route is not accurate.
Cross the Gavarni stream. The path turns left, heading north-west. Follow the path, which is very well marked on the ground, and reach the first fork from the outward journey.

(1) Turn left, following the path in the opposite direction to the ascent. Pass the Fontaine de Crastes on your right and return to the car park (S/E).

Water fountains at Crastes, drinking troughs at the Lhéris hut and on the return journey between (6) and (9).
Lhéris hut, Teilhet hut (off the trail, towards Teilhet) after (9).

This is a mountainous area. The car is not far away. But, as is to be expected, you will need:
rain gear, water, snacks, route map, description, map, GPS, camera, good walking shoes and possibly a walking stick.

If in doubt or in bad weather, you must know when to turn back.

Crastes fountains
Bagnères-de-Bigorre

Option to climb to the Casque du Lhéris from (3) or from the Lhéris hut (4).
You can also visit the open Teilhet hut from (9).