From Lannemezan, take the D 929 towards Arreau, Saint Lary and Spain. After Aragnouet, continue to the Bielsa tunnel. Park on the left of the tunnel entrance in the car park.
(S/E) Pass to the left of the buildings. Find the start of a path, marked with yellow signs. Very quickly, you will come to a small passage where you will need to use your hands. No difficulty.
(1) Once you have passed this single point on the hike where you need to use your hands, continue following the yellow markings to the Riou Nère waterfall on the other side of the stream on the left.
(2) The path, still marked, continues to climb through pastures interspersed with rocky areas until you reach the Port de Bataillence junction.
(3) Leave the yellow markings that go to the left and continue on a path that heads south. This path is clearly visible, continues to climb and, after several hairpin bends, approaches a scree slope.
(4) The path that climbs through the middle of the scree is clearly visible and easy to follow, with stable rocks. It then winds its way through several hairpin bends between the rocky blocks and, after a final stretch, arrives at a small gap overlooking Spain (altitude 2429).
(5) The landscape is completely different on this southern slope. The view of the valley below is magnificent and very green.
The spectacle is even more striking if you have climbed in foggy conditions. What could have been a disappointment turns out to be a reward with this clear, sunny view. Sometimes it can be the opposite.
The return journey is along the same route back to the car park (S/E).