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The route starts from the main square in Etsaut, where you can park (or get off the bus).
(S/E) We start at the top of the square, on the right (i.e. on the left bank of the stream). The signposts indicate the ‘Etsaut-Col d’Arras link’ (and the Chemin de la Mâture); this is the route we take.
The path climbs steeply; it is an old mule track that was once paved: the route is straightforward, but the gradient is steep between the tight bends. We climb 180 metres in elevation.
(1) At the first fork, we are on the edge of the forest and the ferns. We leave the Col d'Arras path for the flat Tour du Busteigts path.
(Note: you can extend the circular loop by continuing to climb and turning left at the next junction).
After about a hundred metres in open country, we head back into the undergrowth and cross almost level (around 900 m, due east).
(2) The next fork is actually the junction with a marked path coming from higher up (“In the Bear’s Footsteps, long version”). We turn left, descending gently at first and then much more steeply, towards the Sadoum stream, which we cross via a lovely bridge (Pont de la Moulette). We climb a little further up the opposite side, then cross along the slope until we emerge at the top of a ‘cow pasture’ (see photos). The path has collapsed slightly at the end of this section, so it is best to go over the top as indicated on site.
Please note: do not leave the path crossing the pasture, as the cows need to be able to graze undisturbed and eat grass that hasn’t been trampled!
(3) At the end of the meadow, there is a hamlet consisting of two farmhouses and two barns. We climb up to the barn on the far left and pass just in front of it, heading left. The path now descends steeply in tight hairpin bends, first through the meadow and then through the undergrowth.
(4) At the next fork, the signposted route turns left but cannot currently be followed due to a landslide. Take the path heading right and level, still winding through the woods. This track descends to the bottom of a (dry) ravine then climbs steeply up the opposite side, passing a ruined house before opening out onto a pasture. You come out onto a local access road offering fine views of the valley.
The descent along the road leads into the streets of Etsaut (you can cut across the final bend via a small path) to reach the main square of Etsaut (S/E).
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