Pic d'Arrès and Pic d'Aubas from the Portillon

(S/EA) Go South-West, following the track. Follow the trail for 500 m. Follow the yellow and white
markings from start to finish to stay on the trail.

(1) Junction. In the first left-hand bend, look for a cairn on the right and climb up. This path crosses the track several times.

(2) Junction. Head East on a track. At the junction with the track, turn right South-West and continue along the same path in a general South-West direction.

(3) Junction. Rejoin the track. Then come to a cabane signposted Col de Barèges. Look for the estive path that will take you to the pass. This well-marked path takes you past a very large drinking trough (Fontaine de Bers). From here, the same well-marked path takes you to the Col de Barèges (1749 m), without difficulty. Here you can drink water and enjoy the magnificent scenery.
There are two huts on the Col, one of them with a welcoming fireplace.

(4) Junction. Immediately after the hut and the very large drinking trough, climb steeply to the left, due East. You are now in Spain. Follow the ridge towards the first summit.

(5) Reach Pic d'Aubas (2071 m). Well-defined border markers.
Continue along this ridge, aiming for the boundary markers. The path heads due South.

(6) Pass the marked point (2062 m). It takes half an hour to reach the Pic d'Arrès (2161 m). The Pyrenean range continues to dominate.
From this peak, descend gently due West on the ridge. Pass the point coté (2003 m). Keep descending, aiming for the Col de Barèges hollow.

(7) Junction. Join a nice path and go right, North-East. Pass by the small laquet on your right. The path then heads North-West. Keep to the side of the path to reach the hut and the Col de Barèges (1749 m).

(4) Variant. You are now in France. Return to the car park by the reverse route or follow the trail to rest your knees and get back to the start (S/E).

From Bagnères de Luchon, climb to the Col du Portillon on the D 618A. Descend 300 m towards Bossost, on the Spanish side, and park on the right, at the start of a track in a left-hand bend.

Two drinking troughs with spring water.

Shelter at Col de Barèges (1749 m).

(4) Variant: possibility of descending the track from (4).

Bagnères de Luchon, a town with lots of trees and flowers and an SNCF train station (the track has been completely rebuilt).
Behind the pass is Spain.
Bagnères-de-Luchon