Pène Lise

Access: from Bagnères-de-Bigorre, take the Route des Cols (D935). On reaching Sainte-Marie-de-Campan, turn left towards the Col d’Aspin (D918). Pass the road to the Col du Tourmalet. Head towards Payolle via the D918. After 1.8 km, park along the road near the bridge over the Adour heading towards Estupas.

(S/E) Cross the bridge on foot and head up to the right along the small road which runs due east for 150 m from the start.

(1) Fork in the path. Take the right-hand path, a stony track that climbs very steeply. Some yellow markings remain in places. You’ll reach a few barns in good condition. Please note: the IGN map is incorrect. Continue climbing along a lovely, well-marked path. The path widens in places. The path runs through a narrow gorge for quite a while. Pass a waterfall on your right. Continue climbing. Go through a large iron gate (please close it behind you). Follow the stream on the right bank. Continue climbing.

(2) Fork in the path (1140m). Please note: no or very few markings. Turn left, keeping to the right bank of the stream. Pass the well-preserved barns of Mailhs on your left.

(3) Fork in the path (1170m). At the last barns, head up to the right along a grassy track, crossing the stream. Some yellow markings remain at this point. At the first left-hand bend in the grassy track, in a wet area, leave the track and head due east along a path. Then climb steeply up a grassy gully in the summer pasture area. Join a small marked path in the summer pasture (coming from Courtaou de Pla on the right). Climb left, heading due north, for 100 m towards the track.

(4) Fork in the path (1275m). No markings. Head right along the track for 60 m. Turn left heading due north, climbing steeply up the scrub-covered ridge (Sarrat de Pla). Find a well-marked path on the ground. Pass the altitude of 1489. Continue climbing, crossing rocky outcrops. Carry on, leaving a small wood on your right. Head towards the grassy area at the end of the ridge. The destination is visible on the ridge (cairn and stick). Reach a grassy area (pass). Turn left. Pass a peak on your right (elevation 1799m).
Caution: from this point onwards, you must be careful and keep calm. There is no particular danger. Stay on the ridge, following a well-marked path. There are no sheer drops. A safe passage leads to the cairn at Pène de Bédout (1798m).

(5) If there is snow, do not continue. Turn back.
The route follows the ridge on your left, 10 to 15 m below in the beech forest. Head west, on the north side.
Safe paths and tracks lead you beneath Pène Lise. There is no climbing and no dangerous sections. You must follow small tracks that wind through the rocky terrain.

(6) You will emerge at the Pène Lise mountain pasture (alt. 1,710 m). A magnificent view of the central Pyrenees unfolds before you. You may wish to stop for a meal here.
You must now descend north-west towards the beech forest. Continue downwards, following a very well-marked and cairned path along the edge. Keep the beech forest on your right. The path then heads due west. You will arrive in a relatively flat and open area (alt. 1500 m).

(7) Fork in the path. Follow the old yellow markings. Cairns may also help you. Head completely left, south-east. Stay on the edge of the forest on your right. Pass beneath the altitude 1576. Take this well-marked path, marked with cairns in places, which remains more or less level.
Exit the forest. Arrive at a spring with a drinking trough (alt. 1500 m).
Now head downhill, continuing to follow the well-marked path, which is somewhat overgrown.
In the valley (alt. 1460 m), the path turns due south and descends rapidly.
You’ll reach the Hount de Coustats spring (alt. 1,410 m). Continue down towards the summer pasture and the Courtaou de Pla, which you passed on the way up.

(4) Fork in the path (alt. 1275 m), (alternative route compared to the outward journey). Head right-north-west along the track. The track turns and heads due north-west. Follow this track for 500 m.

(8) Fork in the path (alt. 1240 m). Before crossing the valley floor, descend to the left along a south-westerly track heading towards the Ruisseau de Carrottétès. Stay above the wetland by following a track below the main path. Pass some cabénères or leytés* on your left and rejoin the fork from the outward journey.

(3) Follow the path in the opposite direction to the ascent and arrive at the car park (S/E).

This is a mid-mountain area. The car is not far away. But as you would expect, you will need: rain gear, water, snacks, route map, description, map, GPS, camera, good walking shoes and possibly a walking stick.
If in doubt or in bad weather, you must know when to turn back.
* Cabénères or leytés (milk coolers)

Visit the Cortaou de Pla (4).
Visit Campan, which is part of the Grand Tourmalet.
Campan