The Étang d'Araing Refuge as seen from the Anglade car park

From Castillon-en-Couserans, head up the D4. Pass Bonac and Sentein, its cemetery, two roads on the right, and turn right onto the third road along the Isard towards Frechendech. Then turn right at the first footbridge over the Isard. If this car park is full, continue along the road and park there, after the bridge.

Yellow and red^GRP® accessmarkings.

(S/E) From the hikers’ car park, set off again at the bend and look out for signposts on the left, opposite a picnic area on a terrace near a building.
Then head left, due west, passing the hamlet of Frenchendech and a few barns in the hamlet of Le Peyre. You will reach a fork in the forest (elevation 873m).

Yellow and red markings of the^GRP® Tour du Biros

(1) Leave the climb to Peyras on your right and continue straight ahead along the^GRP® path, following the Isard stream.

(2) Cross the Illa Maria footbridge (alt. 920 m), climb to the right onto the^GRP® and arrive at a fork at the Passerelle des Pichès footbridge (alt. 1120 m). Signpost. * See practical information.
(Estimated walking time: 2 hours to the Refuge d'Araing, with an elevation gain of approximately 850 m!).

Yellow and red markings (^GRP® Tour du Biros variant)

(3) Cross this recently built footbridge and continue climbing, now on the left bank of the Isard. Much further up, reach the Chapelle de l'Isard (alt. 1320 m). Water point.

(4) Continue west, then south-west to a fork (elevation 1,390 m).

(5) Leave the^GRP® to your left. Continue straight ahead, north-west towards a forest house (alt. 1380 m), the right-hand side of which is freely accessible. Water point.

(6) Turn back to the previous fork.

(5) Turn right, cross a footbridge over the Isard and climb left into the forest via the Sentier des Usses (bear). Ford the Ruisseau d'Araing. Eventually rejoin the^GRP® Tour du Biros (alt. 1413 m).

Yellow and red markings of the^GRP® Tour du Biros

(7) Turn right and climb steeply towards the Cabane de l'Illau, which is in poor condition (alt. 1486 m).

(8) A lovely spot for a much-needed rest before tackling the final, very difficult climb.
Resume the steep, winding climb, heading due south. Continue the ascent via natural steps through a rocky area. Area of significant erosion.
After a while, reach a fork at the foot of the dam (alt. 1,890 m).

Red and white markings of^{the GR®10}.

(9) Turn right to walk along the foot of the dam. Then climb up to reach the level of the pond and the EDF refuge. Continue due west towards the refuge a little further up.
Arrive at the Jacques Husson Refuge at Étang d'Araing (alt. 1,965 m) (E).
First stop. Water source. Spacious area. View of the lake and the cirque surrounding it, the Pic de Crabère to the south, and the Pic de la Mede to the north.

• (3) If you are short on time, continue straight on towards: Refuge d'Araing and join the (7).

(E) Drinking water, meals, provisions and drinks at the Refuge de l'Étang d'Araing.
(3) Water point at the chapel. (6) Water point at the forest house.
Water in streams (torrents) to be filtered or disinfected.

(4) Refuge adjacent to the chapel. (6) Cabane Forestière de l'Isard. (8) Cabane d'Illau. (9) Cabane de l'Étang d'Araing. (E) Refuge de l'Étang d'Araing.

This is a mountainous area: rainwear, water, snacks, GPX track, description, map, GPS or Visorando app, camera, good walking boots, walking poles.

Étang d'Araing Refuge