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From Barèges, head towards the Col du Tourmalet via the D 918 to reach the very large Tournaboup car park.
Start from the Tournaboup car park. Driving up to the Pont de la Gaubie is prohibited and will result in a fine.
(S/E) From the car park at around 1,440 m, head due south along theGR®®10, marked in red and white.
You’ll reach a small road and the old Pont de la Gaubie car park at around 1,550 m.
(1) Continue along theGR®®10, which will take you onto a track. Carry on climbing until you reach the Pountou junction (elevation 1,740).
(2) Turn left onto theGR®®10, heading towards the Refuge d’Aygues Cluses. Follow this fairly challenging, mountainous path. You’ll reach the Cabane de Pègue at around 1,950 m. Cross the torrent, moving from the right bank to the left bank. Then follow the red and white markings to the Refuge d’Aygues Cluses at around 2,145 m. We’ll stop for a break here. We’ve already covered quite a bit of elevation gain.
(3) Continue towards the Cabane d’Aygues-Cluses.
(4) Leave the red and white markings ofthe GR®®10.
There are no further markings; cairns help you to follow this rarely used path. From the hut, head east, skirting the Lac de Coueyla Gran and Lac d’Agalops on the right. At around 2,230 m, at a fork, ignore the path on the left which climbs to the Pas de la Crabe. Follow a path heading east and south-east, which winds its way up and climbs steeply towards the end, joining the Hourquette Nere (elevation 2,465).
You’ve already climbed 950 metres, so a short rest is in order.
(5) Behind this pass, a multitude of lakes in the nature reserve come into view. There are no markings; follow the few cairns. The path is visible, heading due east.
Head down to the left ofthe first large Lac de Nère.
(6) See practical information for an alternative route.
Head to the right, along Lac de Bastan or Port Bielh at around 2,269 m. Remnants of yellow markings. Continue through this rocky high-mountain landscape. Carry on due east towards the Hourquette de Caderolle at around 2,495 m. After this very steep climb, another rest is in order.
(7) Beyond this pass, other lakes are clearly visible.
From here, head down due east, where you have two options:
- descend towards Lac de la Hourquette, skirting it to the left, and climb to the Col du Bastanet heading due south, following theGR®®10C(red and white markings) and the attached route description;
- or find a level path heading due south which will take you to the Col de Bastanet (elevation 2,509), more quickly and without any elevation gain.
(8) Beyond this pass, further lakes come into view. Descend due south, following theGR®®10C(red and white markings) towards Lac Supérieur at around 2,260 m, and go round it on the right.
(E) You will then reach the Refuge du Bastan (altitude: 2,230 m). Today’s destination.
Note: From the refuge, looking north (towards where you came from), you’ll see the Col du Bastanet on the right; due east lies the Col du Bastan.
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