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In addition to Pic du Cabaliros, this description takes you to nearby Lac d'Anapéou.
From Cauterets, head to the start of the hike at the Igau farm car park, at an altitude of 1,098 metres.
(S/E) Take the forest path that leads up the hillside towards Pic du Cabaliros.
(1) Less than 300 m after the start of the trail, take a sharp right at the pylon and mobile phone mast. The trail is wide enough for 4x4 vehicles to climb. It is marked with signs indicating Pic du Cabaliros, Espoune, and small triangular MTB/FFC signs, orange route no. 6.
After a first hairpin bend and then a second, the wide trail continues its gentle climb through the wooded terrain of the Bois d'Aumède. Shortly after a large clearing, you will reach the end of the forest road accessible by 4x4, with a small car park. The path narrows with a steel post across the trail and a sign indicating "pastoral zone".
The trail continues with several narrow bends. At an altitude of around 1,300 metres, you will come to a barrier (open in winter, usually closed in summer), opening onto a huge, beautiful meadow (l'Espoune or Espone).
(2) On the left, on a tree, signs indicate the new Cabaliros path (in the past, it passed through the Espoune and Artigue Bourg summer pastures).
Go around the meadow, taking the path on the left that continues to climb, even narrower, still following the signs for Pic du Cabaliros. The path climbs a few more tight bends (not shown on the map). Then, the path finishes going around the meadow, overlooking it to the south-west, and climbs without much difficulty through the forest.
The path then veers slightly to the left. On a tree on the right-hand path, which continues along the meadow, a small MTB/FFC sign with a crossed-out cross clearly marks the path not to take. Another hairpin bend to the left, then another to the right, and we are now on a straight path for several hundred metres, heading west-northwest, still overlooking the meadow (under the "E" and "s" of Espone on the map). Ignore the path that branches off to the left towards Craboutas.
The path then skirts the side of the massif to the north and joins a first stream. Then quickly, it crosses the Bourg Débat stream without difficulty, a more substantial mountain torrent that rushes down its ravine. On the right below, you can see the Artigue Bourg barn and above it, the Mousquère barn. On the opposite slope, due north, are the Serre du Couret barns, neatly framed by their respective fields surrounded by low walls.
On the other side of the torrent, the path continues its ascent above the Artigue Bourg field.
The trail enters the lower part of the Bois de la Peyre forest.
(3) Once past the woods, simply follow the trail, which takes hikers up numerous switchbacks to the Col de Contente (2,134 m), passing by the Source de Catarrabes.
(4) Be careful not to stray from the main trail, as several paths branch off to the right and left; if you're not careful, it's easy to get lost.
(5) The trail then generally follows the ridge to the summit, which you can see throughout the ascent.
(6) Pass the Col d'Anapéou.
(6) Pass above Clôt de la Bassette.
You will then easily reach the summit of Pic du Cabaliros.
(8) On the summit, there are technical radio communication installations and associated photovoltaic panels, as well as a beautiful orientation table. There is a 360° view of the surrounding area.
The return journey is initially along the same route, i.e. along the same ridge as on the way up.
(7) Above the ruins of Clôt de la Bassette, find a path that branches off to the left towards the shores of Lake Anapéou (photo No. 29396) and leads there (and to its offshoot, flanked by a small iceberg, at least until July). Descend gently over the rocks until you reach the shores of the lake.
It is possible to walk all the way around the lake, which is home to numerous amphibians and all kinds of insects.
(9) From the lake, there are two options:
- Either take the path you used to descend to the lake and rejoin the main route above Clôt de la Bassette. This option is the simplest and requires no special precautions.
- Or (route marked on the map) go via the Fontaine du Tambourin, then look for the mountainside to climb up the path to the pass as far away from the lake as possible. Climb up to the right of a remaining snowfield and join the ridge of the main route.
Please note: the second option (marked on the map) includes several exposed sections where you will need to use your hands.
(6) Head left, downhill, in the opposite direction to the outward journey, to return to the starting point (S/E).
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