Petit Pic d’Arriel via Lac d’Arrious and Passage d’Orteig

After Laruns, take the D934 leading to the Col du Portalet and, shortly after Lake Fabrèges, park at the Caillou de Soques.

(S/E) Head north-east along the HRP (Haute Route Pyrénéenne), which climbs quite steeply through the forest.

(1) On leaving the forest, cross the Ruisseau d’Arrious via a footbridge and follow the very wide HRP, which runs alongside the stream, to reach the Cabane d’Arrious.

(2) Carry on and, shortly afterwards, pass the Quèbe d’Arrious, a huge block of granite. Stay on the main path with its tight hairpin bends, until you reach a fork (alt. 2,068 m).

(3) Carry on straight ahead and eventually reach the Col d’Arrious (elevation 2,252).

(4) Turn immediately right and head towards the shores of Lac d’Arrious (alt. 2,283 m). The Petit Pic d’Arriel towers in the background.

(5) Continue the ascent to reach the Passage d’Orteig (alt. 2,316 m).

(6) Cross this impressive but completely safe pass, which has a handrail cable running its entire length; it’s no trouble at all in fine, dry weather. Continue along the HRP until you reach a fork in the path (alt. 2,362 m).

(7) Head up to the right – using your hands for a few metres – to reach the Pic du Lac d’Arrious.
This section is poorly marked with cairns and signposts but poses no navigation difficulties; head generally southwards towards the foot of the Petit Pic d’Arriel. Then descend towards a small, unnamed pass (alt. 2,505 m).

(8) Head south-west across a scree slope to reach the start of the actual ascent of the Petit Pic d’Arriel.

(9) Start with a small couloir where you’ll need to use your hands before reaching the ridge and joining a well-marked path that follows the ridge line and leads to the summit of the Petit Pic d’Arriel (elevation 2,683).

(10) After taking a moment to admire the view, don’t hesitate to use your hands for the first few metres. Continue south-east downhill to reach the Col d’Arriel (2,605 metres).

(11) Turn right, due west, onto the well-marked and cairned path leading to the Col de Sobe (2,449 metres).

(12) Caution: do not take the path that descends steeply to the left (due south) and leads into the neighbouring Spanish valley towards Sallent de Gallegomais. Descend due north towards the Vallon d’Arrious, where you’ll come to a fork in the path that you passed earlier on the way up.

(3) Turn left onto the HRP and follow the ascent route in the opposite direction to reach the Caillou de Soques (S/E).