Pic de Montaigu via the Hautacam ridges

Access: Drive up to the heights of the Hautacam ski resort. Shortly before the penultimate car park (the last one being the observatory), take a rough track on the right for 1.5 km, which leads to the Col du Moulata car park at 1,676 m.

(S/E) The start is at the end of the car park, next to a large sign protected by a small roof.
Take the path that starts on the right to reach a fork. At this fork, turn left and begin the climb towards the Col du Clot du Serpent towards the ridges (ignore the path on the right that descends towards Lake Isaby, which is more popular). Leave Pic de Naouit on your left and reach the pass separating the Isaby valley from the Ruisseau de Naouit valley.

(1) Then follow a path roughly parallel to the ridge, leaving it on your right to reach a small, unnamed pass (sometimes incorrectly called Collet du Clot du Serpent).

(2) Continue the ascent, this time leaving the ridge (rocky at this point) slightly to your left.
You will reach an unnamed small pass just south of Pic de Barran (view of the Ourrec, Bassias, Bleu and Vert lakes, etc. and the magnificent Cirque de la Grande Estiberre). A few dozen metres higher up, you will reach the summit of Pic de Barran and its high cairn, which can be seen from far away.

(3) Continue along the ridge to the north-east: view to the right of numerous peaks, including Pic du Midi de Bigorre (2,876 m) and, to the left, the northern ridges of Hautacam and the Pibeste-Aühlet reserve. Pic du Montaigu (2,339 m) is in your line of sight. Pass Pic du Mont.

(4) Continue north and descend to the Col de Barran.

(5) From the pass, the climb is steady and regular without being overly tiring. Stay on the ridge to the north-east and reach an unnamed peak at 2,045m.

(6) At the end of the peak, descend a 20m drop, which is easy to do. Continue the route, staying on the ridge, east-northeast, even if there are no longer any traces of a path or trail. This will take you to another unnamed peak at 2084m.

(7) Turn east and follow the ridge of the Pènes (cliffs) de Baran. The precipice on the north side is imposing and contrasts with the peaceful and wild summer valley of the Adour de Lesponne. Follow the ridge before being forced to descend a little to the south, as some ledges are not passable without climbing equipment.

(8) Continue eastwards and find a clearly visible path below, which leads to the Col des Rosques in 20 minutes.

(9) The rest of the climb is easy, following the trail and leaving the ridge on your left.

(10) From this point onwards, walk along the top of the ridge and follow the trail marked with cairns. The end of the route requires you to use your hands and take a few exposed passages... Avoid if there are clouds or mist. Montaigu has two peaks at 2,239 metres, separated by a small pass and a hundred metres.

(11) Begin the descent by following the route you took on the way up.

(8) Leave the ridge on the left and descend into the summer pasture by following one of the visible tracks. Walk west-southwest then southwest to reach the Col de Barran.

(5) Continue southwest and follow the path that starts on the opposite side to the one you came from. Go around Pic du Mont and Pic de Barran to the west and north. Then take the ridge path again and head for the small pass.

(2) Head north-west to Clot du Serpent.

(1) Take the route on the right to go around Pic Naouit from the north (rather than the south as on the way there). The route is a little longer, but allows you to discover another side of the area. Pass through the ski lifts and service roads to reach the Moulata car park (S/E).

Time indicated
I did this route in early July 2016 in almost 6 hours, including breaks and a picnic. This is a fairly short time. In winter, you can easily add 2 to 3 hours on snowshoes.

Season for hiking and difficulty
In summer, the hike is classified as difficult due to its elevation gain and several exposed or sloping sections, as well as off-trail and unmarked sections. It is a challenging route, reserved for experienced hikers.
In winter, the classification would change to "Very Difficult", but I have not completed the entire route, only up to the unnamed peak at 2045m (6), see here, a snowshoe hike that I have already classified as "Difficult".
Warning: some very steep sections should be avoided in the event of a high avalanche risk. Check specialist websites, guide offices or the resort for information.
As the access road is not passable in winter, park in the penultimate car park at the Col de Tramassel and walk to the starting point of the hike, leaving the Pic de Moulata on your right.

Water sources
In summer, the only water sources are the drinking trough at an altitude of 1,776 metres, just below the Clot du Serpent pass (2), but you will need to descend a little (or change the route slightly), and the springs below Pic de Naouit.
In winter, when there is snow, there are no water sources as everything is frozen.

Shelter
There are no real shelters along the route. However, there is a small partial rock shelter that can provide protection from winds, storms and/or gales from the west or south at the Col des Rosques, slightly downhill towards the breach.

Equipment
In summer, bring the usual equipment for hiking in the mountains (hiking boots, suitable clothing, rainwear, water, food, survival blanket, knife, compass, map, whistle, etc.).
In winter when there is snow, you must bring snowshoes (or touring skis), crampons, sun cream, lip balm, a GPS or the Visorando app on your smartphone, gloves, suitable warm clothing, a hot drink, a hat, sunglasses suitable for snow glare, etc.

Traffic
In summer, the route is relatively busy, in all its variations, ridges and off-ridges, but even more so at the summit of Montaigu, by hikers coming from the alternative route from the Lesponne Valley. I myself came across three at the summit, none between Moulata and Montaigu, except for a female hiker-shepherdess looking for her lost horses.
In winter, when there is snow, the route is relatively busy with ski tourers up to Pic de Barran, even on weekdays outside school holidays, provided the weather is very good. After that, it is completely deserted all the way to the end.

You can admire a whole series of peaks throughout the hike and enjoy remarkable views of the summits.

Things to do nearby:
- in summer: the lakes (Ourrec, Bassias, Bleu, Vert, etc.), the peaks between 2,400 and 2,600 metres south of the hike (Pic et Soum Léviste, Soum Arrouy, Soum de Lascour, etc.) and the magnificent Grande Estiberre cirque.
- In winter: skiing at Hautacam.