Pic de Crabère via the Étang d'Araing

Park in the Anglade car park.

(S/E) The trailhead is located above the building at the entrance to the car park. Take the trail on the left, towards Frechendech, heading west. Reach Fréchendech.

(1) At the three-way junction, leave the car park below and continue straight ahead on a well-marked trail on the left bank of the Ruisseau de l'Izard. Join the GR® de Pays Tour du Biros and follow it to the left.

(2) Cross the footbridge and continue along the path that climbs above the gorges and continues along the right bank of the stream. Reach thePichès footbridge ( altitude 1,105 m).

(3) Leave the GRP® trail on your right, which you will return on later. Without crossing the footbridge, continue straight ahead on a trail that is still clearly marked.

(4) Ford a small tributary of the Isard stream and you will reach a fork: signposted Étang d'Araing.

(5) Continue left on the path that winds upwards, then continues to the right, slightly downhill, towards the south-west. Leave the forest at the Fontaine d'Illau and follow the path that climbs up through the mountain pasture to quickly reach the Cabane d'Illau (altitude 1,490 m).

(6) The path climbs steeply to the south-east, then crosses to the right, heading south. Pass briefly through the woods again, then ford a small stream. The trail continues its ascent among the rocks, then a final climb leads to a small pass facing the Étang d'Araing dam, where it joins the GR®10: white and red markings.

(7) Take the GR®10 trail to the right, following the markings. The trail passes under the dam, then climbs gently to the Étang d'Araing refuge (1,965 m).

(8) When leaving the refuge, follow the white and red GR®10 trail on the right, leaving the lake below on your left. The trail climbs steadily and easily to the Col d'Auéran (2,176 m), where a sign indicates that the Pic de Crabère is 1 hour and 15 minutes away: there is a beautiful view to the west.

(9) Leave the GR®10 temporarilyfor a round trip to Pic de Crabère. To do this, continue left on a wide ridge towards the summit. Stay at the highest point of the ridge, keeping the view on both sides. At around 2300 m, leave the ridge and follow a path that winds up the north face of Crabère. This well-marked path makes it easy to tackle the steep climb to the summit at 2630 m. Three-star view of the Luchonnais to the west and the Ariège peaks to the east (Maubermé, Barlonguère, Mont-Valier, etc.). View of the Aneto massif to the south.

(10) Turn back to the Col d'Auéran.

(9) Follow the GR®10 trail to the left, crossing the south-western slope of Tuc du Bouc.

(11) Pass the western shoulder of Tuc du Bouc at a pass (elevation 2170 m), the Pas du Bouc. Continue on the GR®, descending into the valley on a well-marked trail heading northwest. Leave the old mine buildings below on your left and reach the bottom of the valley. Cross the stream and continue on flat ground for about a hundred metres until you reach a fork that is not very visible on the ground (altitude 1930).

(12) Leave the GR® and head up to the right, following a small path heading northeast, or simply climb off the path if you cannot find the path, keeping to this direction on easy slopes. Find a path, unmarked but clearly visible, and follow it to the left, crossing to go around the Pic de Pièlé de Mil and reach the Col d'Auarde to the north-east (elevation 1954).

(13) Continue opposite, following an unmarked but clearly visible path that descends the right bank of the valley, straying slightly from the thalweg. Further down, the path veers slightly to the left and heads straight for the Cabane des Pugues (altitude 1,760 m): this small hut is occupied by the shepherd in summer.

(14) Cross the stream below the hut, then find a path on the other bank. Follow it to the right, heading east. At the forks, take the right-hand branches, which descend slightly. The path passes above the forest and eventually reaches the Cabane du Troumas (altitude 1,492 m):a pretty hut in good condition, sleeping 6 to 10 people, with a fireplace and wood nearby, but no water.

(15) Descend to the right, following a faint path through the summer pasture, heading south-west. At an altitude of 1,420 m, the path turns right to reach the Cabane Forestière de l'Isard.

(16) In front of the hut, follow the path to the left, without crossing the footbridge.

(17) Continue slightly downhill through the woods. Leave the forest and arrive at the Chapelle de l'Isard (altitude 1,320 m): a beautiful refuge with a table, six bunk beds, mattresses, a spring in front of the refuge, a fireplace, wood all around and electricity.

(18) Continue straight ahead on the good path that descends through the woods to gradually reach the valley where the Ruisseau de l'Isard flows, and arrive at thePasserelle des Pichès footbridge.

(3) Cross it and continue to the left, in the opposite direction to the outward journey, on the path to return tothe Anglade car park (S/E).

• We recommend spending the night at the Étang d'Araing refuge for those who like to take their time.

• Mountain hut with 52 beds, open from June to September + weekends in May and October.
  Outside these periods, winter section with 12 beds: mattresses and blankets, no fireplace.
  View of Pic de Crabère to the south-west, and also of our next goal, Col d'Auéran, visible to the west.

See also Pic de Crabère via the Maudan Gorges (Hike T4)
Pic de Crabère via Labach (T3 hike)
Pic de Serre Haute: from Frechendech (Hike T3)
Pic de Crabère (Snowshoes R5)