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To reach the starting point at the Pla de Las Peyres car park, leave Aston and head towards Refuge du Ruhle. The car park is about 15km away. You will need to pass the Étang de Laparan lake and its large dam.
(S/E) From the Pla de Las Peyres car park, cross the small bridge over the Coume de Varilhes stream and take the path on the left bank. This first part is very easy, with very little climbing.
(1) After passing the crossroads and leaving the path that descends from the Étangs de Fontargente on your left, and just before a small enclosure, turn right off the path to join the unmarked path a little higher up.
Caution: The slope is steep and the path is not visible at first. Reach a flat area.
(2) Continue until you reach a huge rock on the edge of the path.
(3) Go around the rock and follow the path that branches off to the left. Cross the mountain pasture, and don't hesitate to use your GPS to stay on the right track.
(4) The path climbs steeply among the rocks, with no particular difficulties except for a steep slope, but the scenery is worth the effort. You will arrive at a tiny pond fed by a few small streams.
(5) Turn right to arrive directly at the beautiful Étang Noir de Cabaillère. Walk along the right side of the pond and begin the climb. The slope becomes very steep until you reach a wide ridge at the foot of Pic de Cabaillère, which offers a sublime landscape. On your left, you will see the final slope (very steep and very rocky) that leads to the summit of the peak.
(6) On the ridge, turn left onto the steep slope described above. At the top of this climb, you will see the cairn marking the summit of Pic de Cabaillère. The rest is easy, with a gentle slope but littered with sheep droppings, as sheep seem to be particularly fond of this peak.
(7) The cairn marks the summit, from which the view is simply splendid. You can see Saint-Barthélémy and the Luzenac talc quarry. Then begin the descent to the Étang de Mirabail, which is not particularly difficult to reach. Just be careful as the descent is steep in places.
(8) Walk along the lake to reach the Ruisseau de la Coume de Varilhes stream.
(9) Continue to the left, north-east, following the stream downhill to reach the initial crossroads.
(1) Continue to the right, then immediately to the left. The return to the Pla de Las Peyres car park (S/E) is always via the left bank of the Coume de Varilhes stream.
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