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From Campan, follow the Col d’Aspin road (D918). On reaching “Payolle”, turn right (D113) after the holiday camp buildings (elevation 1,083 m), crossing a narrow bridge. After 200 m, you’ll reach “Aux Quatre Véziaux” (campsite on the left). Continue along the D113. Follow this straight road for 1.5 km as it runs alongside the “Pelouse Saint-Jean”. Before the dam, turn right (at 1,125 m), continuing to follow the D113, known as the “Route de la Hourquette d’Ancizan”. Take the first bend to the right, then another to the left, and continue south on this road for 2 km until the next bend to the left.
Park in this open area. Do not drive towards the Cabanes de Camoudiet.
(S/E) Walk towards the “Cabanes de Camoudiet” along this stretch of road.
(1) At the end of this road, cross the bridge (which leads to the huts) and cross the Camoudiet Stream, heading due north. Descend slightly and cross another stream. Climb back up for 100 m and turn left, heading north-west. Climb up through the mountain pasture, keeping to the left-hand side of the spur. Continue climbing steeply north-west towards the ridges, simply following the (old) fence posts which indicate there is a drop-off on your right. There is a track that allows you to follow this ridge, avoiding the rocky outcrops and boulders. Continue along the path, which veers slightly westwards, to reach the point with an altitude of 1843. Leave the ridge heading due north on your right.
(2) Turn left, heading due west, following a path clearly marked on the ground in this area of the Pla de l’Arcouade. After 600 m, head due south, following a marked path that skirts a small hillock on the left (altitude 1871). The path now descends to reach the Pla des Bouhouèrès area (altitude 1,799). Continue climbing through the mountain pasture, still heading due south, towards the hillock known as Pic de Crabe or Mont Fevoll (altitude 1,916).
(3) You can stop here to admire the scenery (the Arbizon, Mont Faucon, the Hourquette d’Anzizan, the Gaoube valley, etc.). Head due south towards a path that winds down in hairpin bends and leads to the Col Crabe (altitude 1,870 m) below.
(4) Head south-east along a path that runs along the hillside (ignore all paths leading uphill). This path then descends gently (altitude 1,845). Now head due east to the point at altitude 1,768.
(5) After 1.5 km, the path turns right, heading due south. You’ll spot a small lake below on the left. Continue due south until you reach Lac d’Arou, which lies below you. Head down towards the lake.
(6) Walk round it via its source and climb up to the hut (which is always locked). Another break in this area is very pleasant; you are at the foot of some great peaks.
Stay on the right bank of the Ruisseau d’Artigou and head down north-east to join a very well-marked path with yellow markings coming from the Hourquette d’Ancizan.
(7) From here, the path heads due east, continuing to descend. You’ll reach the Clot de Pourtillou. The path veers right (south-east) for 150 m to cross a torrent, passing La Coume Talamet.
(8) Continue left (north-east) for 500 m before turning right (due east). You can see the Hourquette d’Ancizan.
(9) Caution: no signposting or marked path. At the junction of paths (alt. 1,600 m), head down to the left into the mountain pasture, heading due north-west.
(10) Cross the Coume Talamet stream again and, after a bend to the left, head up towards the south-west, following sheep tracks. After 400 m, head down towards another stream. Follow it along the right bank, heading for the D113 road bridge.
(11) Cross the bridge on the left, head due west, and cut across the hairpin bend in the road ahead. After 200 m, climb (due north) through the forest along a steep track on the left, running parallel to the road. After a 500 m climb, emerge from the forest.
(12) Turn left and head back down towards the south-west, heading for the road below. Reach the road and return to your car.
Visorando Member
Difficult 
Easy 
