Circular loop via Lac d’Estaëns or Ibon de Astanès

Park at the Sansanet car park (1,320 m).

(S/E) Head down towards the south-west, cross the Gave d’Aspe via a footbridge and you’ll soon reach a fork in the path. Turn right and cross a small tributary of the Gave d’Aspe.

(1) Head immediately left towards Lac d'Estaëns, following the red and white markings. The path gradually winds its way up through the forest, then joins a track which you follow to the right, continuing to climb.

(2) Leave the path leading to the Cabane d'Escouret on your right and continue straight ahead, still heading towards Lac d'Estaëns. Cross the French-Spanish border, leave the forest and reach a small pass with a junction where a north-south path branches off.

(3) Continue straight on, pass a new, wider pass (Puerto des Estanés – 1,785 m) and reach a junction of paths a good hundred metres further on.

(4) Head straight on to follow the eastern shore of the lake and reach the Pas de l'Échelle d'Estaëns, which marks the French-Spanish border.

(5) Turn right onto a steep path that descends towards the valley home to the Cabane d'Espélunguère. Reach the junction with the HRP trail.

(6) Continuing downhill, turn right past the Saut de la Vache and head back into the forest.

(7) At the three-way junction, keep left and reach a junction of paths in the shape of an inverted Y.

(8) Take the hairpin bend to the left and continue the descent. You’ll reach a junction about a hundred metres before arriving at the Gave d’Aspe.

(9) Turn right and continue along the path, which alternates between meadows, woods, forest and small streams.

(1) Keep left, cross the Gave d'Aspe again and return to the car park (S/E).

An easy to moderate hike depending on your fitness level, enjoyable as a day trip or for a bivouac at Lac d'Estaëns.

Option to continue on a round trip to the Cirque d'Olibon from Lac d'Estaëns, adding an extra 300 m of elevation gain.