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From the centre of Ax-les-Thermes, take the D613 then the D25 to Ascou, Goulours La Forge and Lavail. At Lavail, turn right onto the D25 and continue to Pla de Mounégou, just before the Col de Pailhères.
There are several parking spaces on both sides of the road.
(S/E) From the car park, follow the wide track on the Pla de Mounégou (1,963 m) which heads south on theGR®7B, marked in red and white. You will come to a crossroads.
(1) The path on the right will go around the Picou de Mounégou. TheGR®7Bcontinues straight ahead.
Take the path between the two, which climbs between blueberries and heather. It approaches the ridge just below point 2187 m on the map.
(2) The path continues along the left side of the ridge and eventually joins it.
(3) Follow the ridge more or less and reach the summit of Tarbésou (2,364 m).
(4) From the summit, head slightly to the right and then west, and look for several paths that join the Sarrat des Escales ridge. A wide path eventually emerges and leads to a flat area above the Étang Noir.
(5) The trail then follows the Sarrat de Gabensa ridge to a small pass.
(6) Change slopes by turning left and follow a south-east path to a crossroads.
(7) There are two options: either dive directly to the left of the Étang de Braque, or continue straight ahead to go around it on the right (option shown on the map) and join theGR®7B.
(8) Whichever you choose, follow theGR® to the left towards the north. It joins the Ruisseau de l'Estagnet and, after a right turn, reaches the Étang Bleu (1,930 m).
(9) The path climbs and passes to the right of the Étang Noir.
(10) Continue north and then climb up the side of the Tarbésou to the Col de la Coumeille de l'Ours.
(11) Opposite, the path continues through streams, meadows and mountain pines and returns to the crossroads encountered on the way up.
(1) Take the same path as on the way there to reach the Col de Pailhères and the car park (S/E).
Visorando member
Difficult 
