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Access: Coming from Tarbes, in Bagnères de Bigorre (D935), at the first traffic lights, turn right onto Boulevard Carnot, pass the casino and the thermal baths, then at the end of the street, turn right onto Rue Prosper Noguès to go to the "Vallon du Salut".
On the right (towards MGEN), go up the Croix de Manse road called Chemin du Bédat. You will pass the mini golf course and a tennis court. At the top, park along the fence, keeping close to it. Agricultural and forestry machinery often passes by.
(S/E) Go up into the chestnut grove facing south. Follow the yellow markings. The wide path winds its way up. Go through a wooden gate and then turn left. Pass to the right of a signpost and continue up the mountain pasture to pick up the red and white markings ofthe GR®78in addition to the yellow ones. The well-marked path turns right to head west and then slopes south.
(1) At a bend, leave the yellow, red and white markings. Continue straight ahead, heading south, into the abandoned mountain pasture. There are sections of animal trails that climb steeply. Head towards a small gap. Do not cross this rocky outcrop. You will then need to find a well-marked path that climbs rapidly towards the summit.
(2) Arrive at Tucou (altitude 950 m). A magnificent view of the Tarbes plain and the mountain pass road awaits you. Now descend a little, heading due south, keeping well to the left of another rocky outcrop. Join the red and white markings ofthe GR®78and follow them for 150 m.
(3) Leave the red and white markings. Continue straight ahead, off the marked trail, towards the summer pastures, south-southeast. A steep path cuts across all the switchbacks. Pass at altitude 1074. Admire the superb wooded landscapes. Continue through the forest on a beautiful, fairly wide path heading south-southeast. It then becomes a track, still in the forest, and joins the red and white markings ofthe GR®78. Turn left, east, following the markings for 50 m and arrive at Courret du Monné at around 1,100 m. Signpost.
(4) Follow the yellow markings towards Le Monné, heading due south through the forest. The well-marked path climbs gently.
(5) You will reach a flat area in the forest. A signpost indicates the direction of Petit Monné and Monné. Leave the forest and turn left (east) towards Petit Monné.
(6) Petit Monné (elevation 1172). Admire the view of the various mountain ranges. Turn around and return to the flat area in the forest.
(5). Continue along the well-marked path heading west towards Le Monné. The path then climbs into the forest.
(7) Reach an old orientation table below Le Monné (elevation 1259). Once again, this is an opportunity to admire the Hautes-Pyrénées. Now the path descends through a mixture of limestone rocks and beech leaves. Take care on the descent towards the forest exit. Join the red and white markings ofthe GR®78.
(8) Continue straight ahead on a wide grassy track, following the yellow, red and white markings. A signpost indicates Rond Point d'Esquiou. Continue westwards along this wide grassy track to Rond-Point d'Esquiou (altitude 1034).
(9). There is a signpost with several directions. A magnificent hut of the same name can shelter you in case of bad weather. Leave the red and white markings ofthe GR®78and take the grassy track opposite that runs alongside the forest. This track is below the small road that leads to Labassère. The track, with old yellow markings, leads you to a scrap metal enclosure next to the road. Continue along the track towards the summit, which you can see in the distance.
(10) At around 1032 m, a signpost indicates Le Pic de Labassère. There are small pieces of wood with yellow markings on the ground. Follow these few markings to climb to the summit of Pic de Labassère (altitude 1164).
(11) From here, you can enjoy a magnificent 360° view. It is a beautiful place to eat, although it is overrun with animals.
Now it's time to think about heading back down and returning. Turn back towards the Esquiou roundabout.
(9). At the Cabane d'Esquiou, turn left and follow the forest road for 300 m, following the yellow markings.
(12) Turn left before a large bend. A signpost indicates Croix de Manse via Les Portes de Fer. Descend along the edge of the forest. Follow the remaining yellow markings. When you reach the Ruisseau de Sarramea stream.
(13) Turn right, staying on the right bank, well above the stream. Follow the yellow markings. The well-marked path descends gently into the forest. It then joins a grassy track and the path passes from one valley to another.
Be sure to follow the yellow markings. The IGN map is not accurate: some paths have become tracks. There are many new tracks and paths. The track you are following becomes a path again, well shaded and lined with box trees, which continues to descend. A black water pipe runs along this path. It disappears shortly before a signpost indicating Croix de Manse on the right. Join a small road.
(14) Turn right, still following the yellow markings. Follow this small road for 500 m to the altitude 691, at Cot de Ger, which takes you past an old inhabited farmhouse, lost in the woods.
(15) At this point, the tarmac road ends. Turn right and descend a very wide track that runs along the bottom of the ravine: Ravin de La Tapère. Continue along this track, which climbs steeply and rejoins a tarmac section. Continue to follow the yellow markings. You will arrive at a crossroads with four small roads. You are at the Croix de Manse. Vehicles are on the right, 150 m away (S/E).
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