Pic d'Ardiden from La Fruitière

From Argelès-Gazost, take the D290 towards Cauterets. Drive through Cauterets, past the Lutour waterfall, and turn left onto the road towards the Hôtellerie de la Fruitière and park in the hotel car park.

(S/E) Go to the end of the car park and take the hiking trail leading to Lac d'Estom. Take the footbridge on the left to cross the Gave de Lutour and continue south on the right bank of the Lutour at the bottom of the valley. Cross the Agudes de Deça, Déhens and Barranco d'Ardiden streams in succession, always following the river.

(1) Shortly after the Pouey Caut hut, cross the footbridge over the Ruisseau de Lanusse, take the path on the left and leave the Lac d'Estom hike to begin a winding climb through the woods towards the Russell Refuge. The climb begins to get steeper, but the numerous switchbacks make it possible to make the ascent without too much effort. Reach the Russell Refuge via the Sentier Falisse (fill up with water at the refuge, as there will be no drinking water until you reach the summit).

(2) Continue south-east after the refuge and leave the forest to continue the climb through a mixture of grass and rock until you reach an intersection at an altitude of 2,100 metres.

(3) Leave the trail on the right leading to Col de Culaus and take the trail on the left towards the east in the direction of Pourteau des Agudes. From this intersection, follow the numerous cairns. The path quickly turns north and becomes increasingly rocky as you approach Pourteau des Agudes, until it consists almost exclusively of large boulders. At this point, Pourteau des Agudes is the third breach in the cliff above you. The cairns allow you to follow the path through this immense scree slope of large boulders.

(4) Cross Pourteau des Agudes, which resembles a small Brèche de Roland. Once you have crossed this passage, you will need to use your hands to climb to the summit of Pic d'Ardiden. The path, heading north-east and below the ridge line, becomes a route of sometimes unstable boulders reminiscent of the ascent of the Pique Rouge de Bassiès in Ariège. You therefore need to be sure-footed and think carefully about which path to take. The path reappears from time to time, but quickly disappears under the rocks: follow the cairns to make your way through this maze of boulders and reach the summit of Pic d'Ardiden, which you cannot see at all from the start of the hike, as it is hidden behind a secondary summit.

(5) Enjoy the view and turn back, taking care and taking your time on the descent over the large boulders. Follow the entire ascent route in reverse to return to the car park (S/E).

This hike should only be undertaken when there is no snow.

Drinking water is available at the Refuge de Russel (unguarded), where it is possible to sleep and split the hike into two days: capacity for around fifteen people and very comfortable.

Arrive early enough to be sure of a parking space in summer, as it is very busy for Lac d'Estom.