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The starting point is located after the village of Gazost, at a place called La Scierie. To get there from Lourdes or Argelès, head towards Juncalas, pass the village and continue for 1.5 km. Turn right onto the D7 and continue for 3.5 km towards Cheust and Gazost. When you reach the small village of Gazost, continue along the D7 for 4 km. The road becomes increasingly narrow (thefirst section was rebuilt after being washed away by a mudslide in 2015) but the journey through this little-known and magnificent valley, dotted with small hamlets and surrounded by high mountains, is enchanting. Park in the open space at the end of the road.
(S/E) From the car park, take the wide path on the right that climbs up the left bank of the Pla de la Pène stream. Walk along this shady and often damp path until you reach a more open area, where the path crosses the stream (do not take the path that climbs to the right).
(1) Cross the stream (there is a small concrete bridge a few metres above the path) and climb up to the Gazost springs 150 m away.
(2) Arrive at the Bains de Gazost: this is actually the catchment of the "Hount Pudio" ("stinking fountain") spring. These sulphurous springs have been known since ancient times and today supply the thermal baths of Argelès-Gazost in the neighbouring valley (see explanations below).
Turn around and retrace your steps (do not continue past the baths as the path is private) and return to the car park where you started (S/E).
Visorando Member
Moderate 
Difficult 
