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(S/E) After the cable car station (paid parking), take the road that climbs towards the Plateau du Clot.
(1) After the first hairpin bend and just before the bridge, take the path that climbs left into the forest (GR®10markings) towards Lac de Gaube. The path is quite steep, but the slope eases off afterwards.
(2) Pass Lac des Huats and continue to Lac de Gaube, then exit the forest.
Turn right (or left for refreshments at the Hôtellerie du Lac!), cross the Gave de Gaube.
(3) Walk along the left bank of the lake.
At the southern end of the lake, follow the path, still on the left bank of the river. The path climbs rapidly along the river. Further on, cross it via a footbridge and leave the Cabane du Pinet hut on your left.
(4). Reach a plateau. Cross the river again and climb a steep slope near the Esplumouse waterfall.
(5) At the waterfall, there is another landing where you cross a tributary of the Gave de Gaube. Cross another ledge on the left bank of the river.
(6) You will then reach the Refuge des Oulettes de Gaube at the foot of the Vignemale (see practical information).
The view of the Vignemale is magnificent!
Leave theGR®10, which heads left towards the Araillé lakes, and take the path on the right that crosses the bivouac area and climbs up to the Col des Mulets: a 500 m climb, very steep, over scree, but well marked.
(7) The Col des Mulets marks the border between France and Spain. Turn right onto a path that runs along the edge of the Aiguilles du Chabarrou in an arid landscape. Izards may be present.
You will then reach the Col d'Arratille (back in France!).
(8) From the pass, you can see the path that descends into the Arratille valley (northbound) and the many lakes that dot the valley.
Walk along the first lake of the Col d'Arratille, then follow the Gave d'Arratille river on a fairly steep descent through the rocks. Cross the river several times before reaching a flat area at Lac d'Arratille.
(9) Go around the lake on the left bank (you can also swim here, but the water is cold!). After crossing the Gave d'Arratille, the slope is still hard on the knees. You are now on the right bank of the river, and the vegetation is becoming increasingly abundant with the appearance of mountain pines: the setting is splendid and you may even spot a few marmots on the trail itself.
The slope eases off a little before the umpteenth crossing of the Gave d'Arratille, then the Gave des Batans. You will then reach a junction.
(10): To the left, you can head towards the Refuge Wallon (about 200 m away - see practical information). Turn right towards Pont d'Espagne, which is a 'motorway'...
Cross the Gave de Marcadau at the Pont d'Estalounqué.
(11) Follow the path that leads away from the river into the forest.
The path then becomes a wider track and rejoins the river a little further down at the Plateau de Cayan (altitude 1,630 m).
From there, there are two options:
- cross the river at Pont de Cayan and follow the left bank of the river to the Chalet-Refuge du Clot.
- stay on the track on the right bank, following these directions: stay on the track, which is paved further down, and crosses the two branches of the river at the Chalet-Refuge du Clot.
(12). Go around the Pont d'Espagne restaurant, cross the river at Pont d'Espagne and then descend to the cable car station (S/E).
. The climb to Col des Mulets is particularly challenging, but what a spot. The path leading to the Col d'Aratille is clearly visible, but you need to be extra careful for a few metres in places. The descent to Lake Aratille is easy on the joints
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