Tournaboup - Bastan Refuge

From Barèges, head towards the Col du Tourmalet on the D 918 until you reach the large car park at Tournaboup.
Start from the Tournaboup car park. The climb to the Pont de la Gaubie is prohibited and subject to fines.

(S/E) From the car park at around 1,440 m, head south on the^GR®10, marked in red and white.
You will arrive at a small road and the old Pont de la Gaubie car park at around 1,550 m.

(1) Continue along the^GR®10, which will take you to a track. Continue climbing until you reach the Pountou junction (altitude 1740).

(2) Turn left onto the^GR®10towards the Refuge d'Aygues Cluses. Follow this fairly challenging mountain path. You will reach the Cabane de Pègue at around 1,950 m. Cross the stream, 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. Take a break here. You've already covered quite a bit of elevation.

(3) Continue towards the Cabane d'Aygues-Cluses.

(4) Leave the red and white markings of^{the GR®10}.
There are no more markings, but cairns help you to follow this little-used path. From the hut, head east, skirting the Lac de Coueyla Gran and Lac d'Agalops on your right. At around 2,230 m, at a fork, leave the path on the left that climbs up to the Pas de la Crabe. Follow the path east and south-east, which winds and climbs steeply towards the end, joining the Hourquette Nere (altitude 2,465 m).
You've already climbed 950 m, so it's time for a short rest.

(5) Behind this pass, a multitude of lakes in the reserve come into view. There are no markers, so follow the cairns. The path is visible, heading due east.
Descend to the left of the^first large Lac de Nère.

(6) See practical information for an alternative route.
Go right, along Lac de Bastan or Port Bielh at around 2,269 m. There are some yellow markings left. Keep going in this rocky high mountain landscape. Head east towards Hourquette de Caderolle at around 2,495 m. After this really steep climb, you'll need another break.

(7) Behind this pass, other lakes are clearly visible.
From this point, descend due east and you will have two options:
- descend towards the Lac de la Hourquette, skirting it on the left, and climb up to the Col du Bastanet heading south, following the red and white^GR®10Cmarkings and the attached description.
- or find a path heading south on the horizontal that will take you to the Col de Bastanet (altitude 2,509 metres) more quickly and without any elevation gain.

(8) Behind this pass, other lakes come into view. Descend south, following the red and white^GR®10Cmarkings towards Lac Supérieur at around 2,260 m and go around it on the right.

(E) You will then reach the Refuge du Bastan (altitude: 2,230 m). End of the day's walk.

Note: From the refuge, looking north (in the direction you arrived), you will see the Col du Bastanet on your right, and directly east, the Col du Bastan.

Please note that to my knowledge there are no drinking water points on this hike, except at the Refuge d'Aygues Cluses.
So bring at least 2.5 litres of water per person.
Fresh fruit also provides liquid and does not generate plastic waste.
The Bastan refuge is fairly basic, but there is an outdoor shower and dry toilet.
If it's very busy, you may have to sleep in the large tent.
Don't forget the mandatory mountain equipment: mid-cut or high-cut boots, compass, first aid kit, headlamp, whistle, one or two cereal bars just in case, survival blanket, rain gear, warm clothing, cash, good health, good humour, and a relaxed attitude. You've got the whole day ahead of you.

(6) Alternative route in case of fatigue or bad weather: from Lac de Bastan or Port Bielh, follow^{the PR®} trail markers, descend south for 200 m, then south-east, off the trail, to the hut (alt. 2,215 m) and the Laquets de Port Bielh, then continue south-east to the right of the Lacs du Bastanet to^{the GR®10}(access) and turn right to the Refuge de Bastan.
Duration: 7 hours - Distance: 13.16 km - Elevation gain: +1,147 m - Elevation loss: -349 m - Highest point: 2,455 m

(E) From the Bastan refuge, with its fish-filled lakes and space to recharge your batteries after this long stage, the minerals blend with the grass.

(4) The Aygues-Cluses refuge allows you to split the day in two.